Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Geophysical techniques for reconnaissance investigations of soils and surficial deposits in mountainous terrain

January 1, 1985

Two techniques were assessed for their capabilities in reconnaissance studies of soil characteristics: depth to the water table and depth to bedrock beneath surficial deposits in mountainous terrain. Ground-penetrating radar had the best near-surface resolution in the upper 2 m of the profile and provided continuous interpretable imagery of soil profiles and bedrock surfaces. Where thick colluvium blankets side slopes, the GPR could not consistently define the bedrock interface. In areas with clayey or shaley sediments, the GPR is also more limited in defining depth and is less reliable. Seismic refraction proved useful in determining the elevation of the water table and depth to bedrock, regardless of thickness of overlying material, but could not distinguish soil-profile characteristics.

Publication Year 1985
Title Geophysical techniques for reconnaissance investigations of soils and surficial deposits in mountainous terrain
DOI 10.2136/sssaj1985.03615995004900060032x
Authors C.G. Olson, J.A. Doolittle
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Soil Science Society of America Journal
Index ID 70013072
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Toxic Substances Hydrology Program