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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.
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• In-depth: (Internal USGS Only) Detailed introduction to new or emerging geophysical equipment or method with which OGW BG is working. These may include a variety of supporting materials such as field forms or sample data sets.
• 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.

Looking for a specific non-USGS resource? Check out our list of related non-USGS online resources [USGS]

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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:

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• Borehole Geophysical Log Archiving and Data Release [USGS Only]
  • USGS GeoLog Locator: Public database of USGS borehole geophyscial logs
  • USGS Log Archiver: Internal tool for archiving and releasing borehole geophysical logs
  • WMA Policy Memo 2018.01: Update of the National Policy to Archive Borehole Geophysical Logs
  • Groundwater Technical Note 2017.13: Release of new public-facing borehole geophysical log interface, "GeoLog Locator" and approval of legacy geophysical logs stored in the Log Archiver system
• Establishment of a National Policy to Archive Surface-Geophysical Data (OGW Tech Memo 2009.02) [an error occurred while processing this directive]
  • Surface-geophysical data archiving supporting information tools, templates, and tutorials [USGS Only]
• Guidance for Determining the USGS Role in Borehole Geophysical Logging (OGW Tech Memo 2006.03)

Historical listings of Office of Groundwater Technical Memoranda and Water Mission Area Memoranda released prior to FY2018 are available online.

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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:

• Efficient hydrogeological characterization of remote stream corridors using drones
• Hydrogeochemical controls on brook trout spawning habitats in a coastal stream
• Inferring watershed hydraulics and cold-water habitat persistence using multi-year air and stream temperature signals
• Direct observations of hydrologic exchange occurring with less-mobile porosity and the development of anoxic microzones in sandy lakebed sediments
• Explicit consideration of preferential groundwater discharges as surface water ecosystem control points
• Evaluating long-term patterns of decreasing groundwater discharge through a lake-bottom permeable reactive barrier

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

• Geophysics for Groundwater/Surface-water Interaction Studies
• Integration of sUAS into Hydrogeophysical Studies
• Borehole Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) for Environmental Site Management
• Groundwater-Level Response to Earthquakes
• Geoelectrical Measurement of Multi-scale Mass-transfer Parameters
• What does groundwater have to do with ice in Alaska?
• Ambient-Noise Seismic Method
• 4D Geophysical Monitoring & Automated Remote Data Processing
• Fiber-Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing

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.

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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. [an error occurred while processing this directive]Details on equipment and usage policies are available online. Please note: This equipment is in high demand, so it is important to coordinate your requests early.

Equipment, methods, and office needs evolve rapidly. Does your office or project need access to equipment or methods that the Branch of Geophysics does not currently support? Suggest new methods or equipment so that we can look into the equipment or methods and follow up with you about options.

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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. [an error occurred while processing this directive] USGS offices are encouraged to contact us online or call us to discuss or request training. Currently scheduled training for USGS scientists includes:

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.

Did you participate in a recent course? If so, please take a few minutes to give us feedback so that we can continue to improve our training and support.

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