USGS Home
Contact USGS
Search USGS

 Home  Resources  Research  Publications  About  Contact Us  Groundwater Information

Geophysical Technology Transfer (G2T)

A primary goal of the Office of Groundwater, Branch of Geophysics (OGW BG) mission is to transfer geophysical knowledge and experience to USGS offices and programs. This Geophysical Technology Transfer (G2T) web page provides USGS scientists with online resources to support the development and implementation of USGS earth science studies:

• Online Geophysics Resources
• Related USGS Policy
• Applied Research & Publications
• Geophysical Equipment Available to the USGS
• Training & Support for USGS Water Mission Area

Online Geophysics Resources:

OGW BG develops online technical information and resources for USGS offices and cooperators about hydrogeophysical techniques that enhance groundwater resource assessment, modeling, and monitoring. The table below provides links to USGS resources on hydrogeophysics methods, applications, and tools.

Key:

• Overview: Brief overview of new or emerging geophysical equipment or method with which OGW BG is working.
• FS: Fact Sheets are concise and timely USGS publications that describe programs, projects, products, and topics to either a general or professional audience.
• TM: USGS Techniques and Methods Reports are directed at technically oriented audiences and present methods and techniques used in collecting, analyzing, and processing hydrologic data. Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations Reports have a similar audience to Techniques and Methods Reports, but this series is no longer published.
• Resource: Resource developed by OGW BG or other USGS program to support USGS geophysical investigations.

Return to top of page

Related USGS Policy:

USGS Water Science Centers and programs conducting geophysical investigations should be familiar with relevant USGS policies and guidance including the following Office of Groundwater (OGW) Technical Memoranda:

• Update of the National Policy to Archive Borehole-Geophysical Logs (OGW Tech Memo 2010.01)
• Establishment of a National Policy to Archive Surface-Geophysical Data (OGW Tech Memo 2009.02)
• Guidance for Determining the USGS Role in Borehole Geophysical Logging (OGW Tech Memo 2006.03)

Complete listings of Office of Groundwater Technical Memoranda and Water Mission Area Memoranda are available online.

Return to top of page

Applied Research & Publications:

OGW BG conducts applied research on the development and application of hydrogeophysical techniques to enhance USGS groundwater resource assessment, modeling, and monitoring activities. The applied research results are summarized in USGS reports and fact sheets, as well as journal and proceedings articles. Many of these publications are available online through the publications section of our web site. Examples of recent publications include:

• 1DTempPro: Analyzing Temperature Profiles for Groundwater/Surface-water Exchange
  Journal Article
• A Small-Diameter NMR Logging Tool for Groundwater Investigations
  Journal Article
• Bedrock topography of western Cape Cod, Massachusetts, based on bedrock altitudes from geologic borings and analysis of ambient seismic noise by the horizontal-to-vertical spectral-ratio method
  USGS Scientific Investigations Map 3233

OGW BG also publishes online summaries of some of our recent or ongoing applied research projects. Examples include:

• Ambient-Noise Seismic Method
• 4D Geophysical Monitoring & Automated Remote Data Processing
• Fiber-Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing
• Applied Toxics Research

OGW BG occasionally profiles examples of the use of geophysics in groundwater studies by USGS Water Science Centers across the Nation.

As part of its active applied research program, OGW BG also offers numerous student research opportunities.

Return to top of page

Geophysical Equipment Available for USGS Use:

OGW surface, borehole, and water-borne geophysical equipment is available to USGS Water Mission Area users through OGW BG.

Return to top of page

Training & Support for USGS Water Mission Area:

OGW BG provides formal and informal training to USGS offices and staff. In addition, OGW BG scientists regularly present at regional and national conferences.

For an example of what a USGS regional or Water Science Center training or support could include, read about recent training and Water Science Center support.

Return to top of page