Geologists and geophysicists: getting them on the same planet

A. J. Willocks; B. A. Simons

doi:10.1071/EG998658

ISSN: 0812-3985
E-ISSN: 1834-7533

Geologists and geophysicists: getting them on the same planet
Authors A. J. Willocks^a and B. A. Simons^b
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^a Geological Survey of VictoriaDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment, PO Box 500 East Melbourne, , Victoria, , Australia, 3002, . Phone: 03 9412 5131, Facsimile: 03 9412 5155, E-mail: [email protected] ^b Geological Survey of VictoriaDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment, PO Box 500 East Melbourne, , Victoria, , Australia, 3002, . Phone: 03 9412 5110, Facsimile: 03 9412 5155, E-mail: [email protected]
Publisher: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Source: Exploration Geophysics, Volume 29, Issue 3-4, Sep 1998, p. 658 - 664
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/EG998658
- Published online: 01 Sep 1998

Abstract

The results of new detailed airborne geophysical surveys over Victoria have been lauded by industry as being a great incentive to increase mineral exploration in the State. These data become especially useful when combined with new semi-detailed geological mapping. The Geological Survey of Victoria has now developed a new methodology to integrate geological mapping with the interpretation of the geophysical data to produce a single composite understanding of the rocks and their relationships. It has required a reappraisal of the way geologists and geophysicists map, both together and separately, and additional training to make the process work.

Sufficiently detailed data acquired prior to the geological mapping allows a fully integrated interpretation, using the available geophysical and geological data, to produce maps that reflect both geological and geophysical reality. Previously, geologists and geophysicists worked in partial or complete isolation. Too often geophysicists gave geologists lineament or line maps that bore little resemblance to geological reality, lacked credibility and were almost immediately discarded by geologists as being “unhelpful”. The new process requires geologists and geophysicists to work as a team to reconcile all the geophysical and geological observations to produce an accurate, integrated geological map. It demands that the geologist understands the geophysical responses and the geophysicist understands the geology. Both need to acknowledge the limitations inherent in each method.

Presenting the results provides a further series of challenges to the mappers, interpreters, managers and cartographers. We have also yet to integrate the mineralisation history into this mapping process. Meeting these challenges to produce a full and accurate understanding of the geology and geophysics, rather than of one or the other, is essential to ensure increased exploration success.

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References

Edwards, J., Wohlr, K.E., Slater. K.R., Olshina, A., and Hutchinson, D.F., 1998, Heathcote and parts of Woodend and Echuca 1:100 000 map area geological report: Geological Survey of Victoria Report 108.
Cayley, R.A. and McDonald, P.A., 1995, Beaufort 1:100 000 map geological report: Geological Survey of Victoria Report 104.
Isles, D., Valenta, R. and Cooke, A., 1995, Interpretation and structural analysis of aeromagnetic data. Workshop for Geological Survey of Victoria presented by World Geoscience Corporation and D Isles and Associates.
Maher, S., Moore, D.H., Crawford, A.J., Twyford, R. and Fanning, C.M., 1997, Test drilling of the southern Murray Basin: Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum Report 52, Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Nash, C., 1995, Integrated image interpretation for mineral exploration. Australian Mineral Foundation workshop September 1995.
Moore, D.H., 1996. A geological interpretation of the geophysical data for the Horsham 1:250 000 map sheet area: Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum Report 24, Department of Agriculture, Energy and Minerals Victoria.
Moore, D.H., 1997, A geological interpretation of the geophysical data of the Ouyen 1:250 000 map sheet area: Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum Report 39, Department of Natural Resources and Environment Victoria.
Moore, D.H. and Maher, S., 1998, Lessons from a case study of a geophysical interpretation in western Victoria: Expl. Geophys.29.
Slater, K.R., 1997, GSV format for geophysical interpretation maps: Geological Survey of Victoria Technical Record 1997/4.
Taylor, D.H., Whitehead, M.L., Olshina, A. and Leonard, J., 1996, Ballarat 1:100 000 map geological report: Geological Survey of Victoria Report 101.
VandenBerg, A.H.M., Nott, R.N. and Glen, R.A., 1992, Bendoc 1:100 000 map geological report: Geological Survey of Victoria Report 90.
VandenBerg, A.H.M., Willman, C.E., Hendrickx, M., Bush, M.D. and Sands. B.C., 1995, The geology and prospectivity of the 1993 Mount Wellington airborne survey area: Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum Report 2 Department of Agriculture, Energy and Minerals.
VandenBerg, A.H.M., 1997, Let your geophysics do the walking - a mapper’s perspective: In B.A. Simons & G.R. Pettifer (eds.) The 1997 Selwyn Memorial Symposium Abstracts, Geological Society of Australia and Australian Society of Exploration Geophysics. Victorian Divisions.
Willocks, A.J. and Sands, B.C., 1995, Recent geophysical and mapping progress and implications for exploration: Expl. Geophys. 26, 307–314.
Willocks, A.J., 1997, Regional surveys in Victoria - experiences and lessons: Expl. Geophys. 28, 307–312.

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Article Type: Research Article

Keyword(s): airborne magnetics; airborne radiometrics; geological mapping; geophysical interpretation; geophysical maps; gravity; interpretative maps

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Geologists and geophysicists: getting them on the same planet

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