Υ4202 - GEOPHYSICS

INSTRUCTORS

COURSE KEY ELEMENTS

COURSE CONTENT:

A. Theoretical background (lectures)

• Role and Contribution of Geophysical Sciences in the study of the lithosphere and the interior of the Earth.
• Formation, Structure and Composition of the Earth’s Interior:Formation and differentiation of the Planet. Shape, internal structure and composition. Distribution of temperature, pressure, density, mechanical and electrical properties in the interior of the Earth. Basic structure of the Earth’s core, mantle and crust.
• Heat of the Earth’s Interior:Origin, sources and distribution of heat. Natural radioactivity, distribution of radioactive elements and radioactive heating. Principles of heat diffusion and transfer, heat flow. Thermal convection in the Earth’s core and mantle – consequences for the structure, dynamics and evolution of the lithosphere and the surface of the Earth.
• Gravityand Gravity Exploration:Gravity potential and the gravity field of the Earth. Shape of the Earth: the geoid and the ellipsoid. Isostasy. The concept of a “gravity anomaly” and its application to the exploration of the interior of the Earth: measurements, processing, analysis and interpretation. Elements of Geodesy and introduction to Satellite Geodesy.
• Geomagnetism and Magnetic Exploration:Elements of the Earth’s magnetic field. Generation, changes and origin of changes in the Earth’s main magnetic field; external fieldsof magnetospheric, ionospheric and atmospheric origin;importance and consequences on the surface of the Planet. Field reversals and their utilization – elements of Paleomagnetism. The concept of “magnetic anomaly” and its application to the exploration of the Earth’s interior – measurements, analysis and interpretation.
• Elements of Geo-Electromagnetism:Electrical and magnetic properties of minerals and rocks. Electrical structure of the Earth. Natural EM fields (magnetospheric, ionospheric and atmospheric). Elements of EM theory: diffusion and propagation of EM waves in finite Earth structures and relevant Earth responsefunctions.
• Electromagnetic Exploration:Overview. Natural field exploration methods (Magnetotelluric, Magnetovariational/GDS). Elements of Controlled source exploration methods in the frequency and time domains. Data analysis and interpretation. Elements of Geoelectric exploration.
• Seismic Exploration:Stress and strain. Seismic wave propagation and attenuation. Seismic excitation sources. Seismic refraction and reflection methods.Seismic tomography. Measurements, processing, analysis and interpretation of seismic exploration data.
• Introduction to the Earth System.  The physics Earth system and sub-systems and their interactions. The core – mantle – lithosphere system. The core – magnetosphere/ionosphere – lithosphere system. Crustal dynamic systems.
• Multi- and Trans-disciplinary geophysical investigation of the Earth’s interior – structural and geodynamic analysis with geophysical methods: Examples and applications.

B. Practical Training: Data analysis and interpretation with specialized/dedicated software; compilation of technical repor

• Introduction to the management and visualization of geophysical data.
• Introduction to the concept of “geophysical anomalies”.
• Gravity anomaliesand their qualitative interpretation.
• Gravity anomalies” and their quantitative interpretation: Introduction to geophysical modelling of local and regional gravity anomalies.
• Magnetic anomalies and their qualitative interpretation.
• Magnetic anomalies and their quantitative interpretation: detection of buried structures and objects.
• Electromagnetic exploration of buried geological structures: Qualitative appraisal and interpretation of magnetotelluric soundings.
• Electromagnetic exploration of buried geological structures: Quantitative interpretation of magnetotelluric soundings/ introduction to the concepts of geophysical inversion.
• Geoelectric exploration: Familiarization with the relevant equipment. Field measurements. Processing, interpretation and appraisal of geoelectric soundings and ERT tomograms.
• Seismic exploration: Concepts, pprocessing and interpretation of seismic refraction and reflection data.
• Heat transfer and heat flow in the Earth: Concepts, quantitative analysis and interpretation.
• Multi-parametric exploration of the Earth’s interior.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES - TEACHING METHODS:

PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA

Examinations are conducted in Greek. Foreign students, or students from European Union countries (Erasmus Programme),can be examined in English.

The final grade is formed through a series of tests that include:

• Written examination. This takes place at the end of the semester (main examination), or/and in the following month of September (auxiliary examination).
  The written examination amounts to 50% of the final grade.
• Reports prepared and submitted as part of the practical exercise program.
  The mean grade of all reports amounts to 50% of the final grade

RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Suggested Literature:

• Τζάνης Α., 2020. «Στοιχεία Γενικής και Εφαρμοσμένης Geophysicsς», Εκδόσεις Νέον, Αθήνα (Κωδ. ΕΥΔΟΞΟΣ: 94645607)
• Λούης, Ι., 2004. «Εισαγωγικά Μαθήματα στην Διερευνητική Geophysics», ανέκδοτο βιβλίο, 245 σελ., [PDF].
• Παπαδόπουλος, T., 2010, «Εισαγωγή στη Geophysics», Εκδόσεις Νέων Τεχνολογιών, ISBN 978-960-6759-49-9, 2010, 249 σελ., (Κωδ. ΕΥΔΟΞΟΣ: 7969)
• Παπαζάχος Κ., Παπαζάχος Β., 2013. «Εισαγωγή στη Geophysics», Εκδόσεις ΖΗΤΗ, Θεσσαλονίκη (Κωδ. ΕΥΔΟΞΟΣ: 33093728)

Optional literature for further study: All books are accessible in the Library of the School of Sciences, or available in electronic form:

• W. Lowrie, 2007, Fundamentals of Geophysics Cambridge University Press
• Frank M. Stacey & Paul M. Davies, 2008, Physics of the Earth, 4th edition, Cambridge University Press
• C.M.R. Fowler, The Solid Earth: An introduction to Global Geophysics, Cambridge University Press.
• Alan Mussett & Aftab Khan, Looking into the Earth; Cambridge University Press.

Optional literature for further study: All books are accessible in the Library of the School of Sciences, or available in electronic form: (e-Class NKUA | Y4202 - GEOPHYSICS | Optional Literature)

¹ V.S.: Visitor Students (e.g. ERASMUS)