Airborne Geophysics

Airborne geophysical systems have been in use since 1943. They used magnetometers for geophysical mapping and detecting submarines. The airborne electromagnetic systems came out in the 1950’s. These early devices were mounted on airplanes.

In the 1960’s these systems were applied to use with helicopters.

Airborne geophysics utilizes several types of surveys to accomplish their goals like airborne magnetic surveys, electro-magnetic surveys, and radiometric surveys.

The three main airborne geophysics procedures are magnetic, electromagnetic, and radioactive. These airborne methods have a big impact on the mining industry. Better geophysical tools, global positioning systems, and airborne platforms have been useful in engineering and environmental problems, though only to certain problems in these two areas of endeavor.

Airborne geophysical surveys are also used for oil and mineral exploration and land management. Airborne geophysical methods have been used in detecting and mapping exposed bedrock. But better methods are needed to explore natural aggregate resources.

Magnetometer surveys map magnetic occurrences in the earth’s magnetic field caused by magnetic minerals earth’s upper crust. Electro-magnetic surveys are aimed at conducting a quick and cheap search for metallic conductors. It is also applicable to general geologic mapping and many engineering problems.

The radiometric surveys look for radioactive material in rock.

Airborne geophysical surveys are used for land management as in  Western Australia where huge parts of the farming land has been affected by soil salinity. Geophysics has shown that topography and other factors are the cause of the high salinity of the soil, according to The Bulletin of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

Airborne electromagnetic surveys are useful in investigations of different geological eras. For instance, they can help in locating subglacial valleys, which helps to understand water reservoirs.

There are still many unanswered questions about the geologic structure of Antarctica and these questions may be answered by airborne geophysics. Maud Land has proved that airborne geophysics is capable of helping to map Precambrian Antarctica.

Antarctica plays a key role in climatic and geodynamic history of the earth and again airborne geophysics can help learn about this history and the climatic role involved and how this data affect the whole earth.

Climate research is enhanced with airborne research, specifically studying ice sheet and lithosphere interactions. They do this by using multiple sensors. Scientist are trying to determine how these two physical factors interact with each other causing long-term climate variability. In these studies they use ice-penetrating radar on long-range research aircraft.

They have to have special antenna structures that can operate at 300 knots. They first tackled this problem in the 1970’s working in Antarctica.

Airborne geophysics has the capability of being used for a myriad of uses including mining, solving environmental problems, engineering, land and water management, archeology, detecting submarines, and many other scientific applications.

With global warming and other atmospheric problems it seems that airborne geophysics can play a vital role in solving them and making the world safer for everyone to live in and it can help solve our energy problems.