Course content

The course provides an overview of geophysical mapping and interpretation methods used in exploration for natural resources and in other geological as well as environmental tasks. The focus of the course will be on gravimetry and magnetometry, and their integration with other exploration methods, physical properties and measurements of density, magnetic susceptibility, and natural remanent magnetization. The application of magnetic mineralogy and magnetic petrology is used in understanding lithospheric, planetary, and environmental magnetism and magnetic mapping from the mineral to regional scale. We introduce the interpretation and modelling of gravity and magnetic anomalies. This course contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 (Quality education) and 7 (Affordable and clean energy). The multidisciplinary approach supports SDG-4 (Quality education) by exploring a range of applications and environmental challenges, such as e.g., environmental magnetism. The course content combines software modelling with lectures and projects to develop a solid insight into geophysical methods and data. SDG-7 goal (Affordable and clean energy) is addressed directly because the geophysical methods are essential for future exploitation of energy resources, and this course emphasises sustainability by focusing on non-invasive exploration techniques.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The course provides a fundamental understanding of gravity and magnetic methods for geophysical exploration for natural resources, and for other geological and environmental applications. These methods are complemented by measurements of underlying physical properties of minerals, rocks, and environmental materials. Through project work, a deeper understanding of the relationships between physical material properties and geophysical responses of Earth and planetary materials will be achieved.

Skills: Students can design and complete their own interdisciplinary scientific projects combining geology and geophysics, and present the results to the class. They will acquire magnetic data in the field and use modeling software in potential field interpretation. After successful completion of the course students will be able to incorporate gravity, magnetic and other geophysical data into projects designed to explore for natural resources and in other geological or environmental applications.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures will cover geophysical principles and methodology with a focus on gravity and magnetics, petrophysical properties of minerals and rocks, magnetic mineralogy and petrology and their role in lithospheric and environmental magnetism, and magnetic mapping. Activities include practicing methods for different types of applications through use of task-specific modelling software. Fieldwork over one weekend is obligatory. Compulsory project and laboratory exercises will require self-study, and include practice in applying geophysical methods as well as professional gravity and magnetic software and concepts for exploration of a variety of natural resources (e.g. ore deposits, ultra pure quartz, building stone, and hydrocarbons) and other geological and environmental applications. Laboratory exercises will include petrophysical and detailed magnetic measurements of different rock types. There are additional compulsory exercises not amounting to the final grade in the course. The course is evaluated by a reference group.

Compulsory assignments

• 2 projects with lab, reports and presentations
• Exercises

Required previous knowledge

Basic knowledge in geology, physics and chemistry.

Course materials

Articles and sections from various textbooks.