VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

651-4106-03L 7 Credits MSC D-ERDW

You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Geophysical Field Work and Processing: Preparation and Field Work

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Patrick Nagy, Prof. Dr. Andreas Wieser, Dr. Cédric Schmelzbach

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:23:11

Abstract

The 'Preparation' and 'Field Work' parts of 'Geophysical Field Work and Processing' involve the planing and conducting of a near-surface geophysical field campaign using common geophysical techniques to study, for example, archeological remains, internal structures of landslides or aquifers. Students work in small groups, and plan, acquire, process and document a field campaign together.

Objective

Students should acquire the knowledge to (1) design and plan a geophysical survey appropriate for the target of investigation, (2) acquire geophysical data, (3) process the data using state-of-the-art techniques and software, (3) analyze and interpret the results, and (4) write a report according to commercial and scientific standards.

Content

The course is split into two parts: 1. 'Preparation': Introductory lectures and exercises (lab and field) covering Geographical Information Systems (GIS), surveying, and introductions to the field sites. Participation in the 'Preparation' part is a REQUIREMENT to participate in the 'Field Work' part. 2. 'Field Work': Four-weeks field course. The students work in groups on the following topics: - Planning and design of a comprehensive geophysical survey - Data acquisition - Data processing and inversion - Interpretation of the results - Report writing and presentation of results

Resources

Lecture Notes

Relevant reading material, manuals and instructions for all methods of the field course will be handed out to each group at the beginning of the 'Field Work' part (beginning of June).

Literature

Recommended literature: An introduction to geophysical exploration Third Edition Kearey, Brooks, and Hill 2002, WILEY-BLACKWELL ISBN: 978-0-632-04929-5 Further recommended literature: Environmental Geology Handbook of Field Methods and Case Studies Knödel, Klaus, Lange, Gerhard, Voigt, Hans-Jürgen Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften (Ed.) 2007, XXVI, 1358 p. 501 illus., 243 in color., Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-540-74669-0 Fundamentals of Geophysics William Lowrie 2nd Edition Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9780521675963 Good overview literature: An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics John M, Reynolds WILEY-BLACKWELL ISBN: 978-0-471-48535-3 More detailed and specific: Near-Surface Geophysics Edited by Dwain K. Butler Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) ISBN: 9781560801306 (13); 1560801301 (10)

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

The final grade is based on a written report. Exercises (learning tasks/’Lernelemente’, voluntary ) during the course provide the opportunity to improve the final grade. Completion of all voluntary learning tasks (‘Lernelemente’) allows to improve the final grade by a maximum of 0.25. The highest grade can also be achieved without completion of the learning tasks (‘Lernelemente’).

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Geophysical Field Work and Processing: Preparation	Fri 13:15-18:00 (NO F 11)	35 h semesterly
practical/laboratory course	Geophysical Field Work and Processing: Field Work This course takes place in the first four weeks after the semester (5 to 30 June 2023) in the rooms NO F11 and NO F39. First two weeks are mainly field work, second two weeks are mainly processing and report writing.	No time listed	160 h semesterly