Ground penetrating radar in a hydreological investigation of the Oak Ridges Moraine, Ontario

This paper presents a summary ofthe results obtained with Ground Penetrating Radar at three ofthe eleven sites surveyed during the summers of 1992 and 1993 as part of the hydrogeological investigation ofthe Oak Ridge Moraine. After topographic correction ofthe data, we were able to accurately determine the location ofthe water table. Areal surveys at the St. John and Bolton Fann sites allowed comprehension of changes in water table topography. In addition, we obtained substantial subsurface structural information which improves our understanding of sediment architecture and genesis. The data from the Brighton and Bolton Fann sites were acquired near aggregate quarries which allowed direct correlation between the radar records and the sedimentary exposure. The results presented here highlight the level of geological details detected by the GPR surveys. Even though further studies will be conducted in 1994 and 1995, we are already able to demonstrate that GPR is an excellent geophysical technique for geologic (textural and structural), and hydrogeologic studies in appropriately resistive surficial sediments.