TRAINING.

Overview

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Visualize subsurface materials and associated investigations
• Utilize information such as drill hole databases and mapping
• Design and use geophysical surveys and drilling
• Oversee inference of strata, structures, and properties
• Support activities such as groundwater modelling and subsurface installations

Description
This course explores geological materials critical to the integrity and functionality of underground structures, foundations, and various subsurface installations. Participants will develop skills in survey design, data management, and advanced geophysical techniques essential for optimal subsurface investigations. The course covers the intricacies of data compilation, including using drill hole databases and acquiring geophysical data to inform the analysis of strata and structures.

In addition, you’ll delve into specifying material properties, understanding heterogeneity, and managing uncertainty in sediment and rock formations. These skills are crucial for making informed decisions and reducing risks in subsurface projects. This knowledge is vital for energy, mineral exploration, water resources, environmental engineering, waste management, and geological research applications.

Whether you’re working on projects related to groundwater, geothermal energy, fossil fuels, or mineral resources, this course will equip you with the tools and insights needed to excel.

Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for engineers, geoscientists, and information managers involved in subsurface investigation, design, and utilization. It is particularly beneficial for professionals who work with underground structures, foundations, slope stability, groundwater, oil and gas, geothermal resources, waste disposal, or mineral resources.

Environmental scientists, hydrogeologists, civil engineers, project managers, and geotechnical engineers will also find this course valuable for enhancing their understanding and management of subsurface conditions.

Please note: You can check other time zones here.

Syllabus

Day One: Introduction to Geology, Geological Surveys, and Subsurface Geology

• Rationale, geological surveys, geological site investigations, international coordination
• Geology, stratigraphy, soil

Mapping

• Information, spatial infrastructure
• 2D geological mapping, soil mapping
• 3D geological mapping
• Law and economics of geological mapping
• History of geological mapping and soil mapping

Land Surface Surveys

• Elevation and bathymetry
• Imagery and remote sensing

Geophysical and Geochemical Surveys

• Magnetic and gravity surveys
• Geophysical soundings
• Geochemistry and geochronology’

Data Compilation and Acquisition

• Public databases and drill hole databases
• Field geology, drilling, and offshore surveys

Day Two: Inferences

• Implicit and explicit subsurface interpretations, geostatistics
• Properties, heterogeneity, uncertainty

Low-Resolution Geological Mapping

• Lithospheric mapping, global resolution, paleogeography
• Continental and national resolution

High-Resolution Geological Mapping

• Regional resolution, seamless assessment
• Urban resolution, underground structures

Information Products

• Site reports, publications, standards, evergreen databases, stratigraphic databases
• Evergreen databases 3D and digital twins

Applications in resources, engineering, and research

• Oil and gas, geothermal, minerals, and groundwater
• Hazards, engineering, underground space
• Research applications

Summary

• Synthesis

Instructor

Harvey Thorleifson, Ph.D., P.Geo., D.Sc.,

Dr. Thorleifson is a University of Minnesota Professor. He holds geology degrees from the Universities of Manitoba and Colorado.

He was a Geological Survey of Canada research scientist for over a decade, and State Geologist of Minnesota for two decades. He was President of the Geological Association of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences, and the Association of American State Geologists. He was a member of Canada’s National Advisory Board on Earth Sciences and the US National Geospatial Advisory Committee.

He is Chair of the International Union of Geological Sciences Commission for the Management and Application of Geoscience Information.