Hydrogeophysics

The field of hydrogeophysics focuses on the characterization of subsurface properties, groundwater flow and transport processes using a variety of shallow geophysical methods including direct current (DC) resistivity, electromagnetic methods including time domain electromagnetic methods (TDEM), audio magnetotelluric (AMT), seismometers, and magentotelluric methods.

New Mexico Tech hosts a wide variety of geophysical equipment that is being used in hydrologic studies include an 84 electrodes ABEM LS2 DC resistivity/induced polarization system, a 54 node SuperSting DC resistivity system, a Zonge MT-AMT-TDEM system, gravimeter, Temperature logging Truck.

At NM Tech, these geophysical tools are being used to understand the fate and transport of hydrocarbons contaminants (Fig. 1), the hydrogeologic properties of sedimentary deposits (Fig. 2) and fault zones, the distribution of fresh and brackish water in closed basins, and geothermal system characterization (Fig. 3). We are also developing novel inversion techniques to characterize the permeability of crystalline basement rocks.