Application of the Wavelet Transform to Isostatic Analyses in Australia. Existing methods of determining the Earth's isostatic response assume ideal but unrealistic conditions. This project will develop a new technique for isostatic analysis, using the two-dimensional wavelet transform. This tool can resolve spectral components of geophysical data in the space domain, thus avoiding the problems arising during the conventional Fourier analysis. With innovative processing methods, maps of the crus ....Application of the Wavelet Transform to Isostatic Analyses in Australia. Existing methods of determining the Earth's isostatic response assume ideal but unrealistic conditions. This project will develop a new technique for isostatic analysis, using the two-dimensional wavelet transform. This tool can resolve spectral components of geophysical data in the space domain, thus avoiding the problems arising during the conventional Fourier analysis. With innovative processing methods, maps of the crustal thickness from gravity and topography data can be generated, a task usually reserved for costly seismic experiments. Analysis of the wavelet power spectrum would also benefit the exploration industry by identifying previously unknown sedimentary basins.Read moreRead less
Validation of Synthetic Regional Gravity Field Models. This research will further develop the theoretical and practical methods required to test any model of the Earth's gravity field. Previously, geodesists have had to rely on analytical error estimates, usually based on observed data. A synthetic Earth gravity model avoids this scenario by giving an exact validation technique of the methods used. The synthetic model will allow users of geoid models (e.g., for GPS heighting) to have much mor ....Validation of Synthetic Regional Gravity Field Models. This research will further develop the theoretical and practical methods required to test any model of the Earth's gravity field. Previously, geodesists have had to rely on analytical error estimates, usually based on observed data. A synthetic Earth gravity model avoids this scenario by giving an exact validation technique of the methods used. The synthetic model will allow users of geoid models (e.g., for GPS heighting) to have much more confidence in their results. When used with a precise geoid model, GPS is faster and cheaper than conventional spirit-levelling, offering around 800% productivity gains. Read moreRead less
Optimisation of Signal-to-Noise Ratio in Electrical and Electromagnetic Investigations. Electrical and electromagnetic geophysical methods have been used extensively for mineral exploration, and are developing a role in salinity mapping and contaminant identification. To enhance the utility of such methods for very shallow targets (in the case of salinity) and deep targets (minerals beneath regolith)improved signal processing methods are required. The project involves the development of time-ser ....Optimisation of Signal-to-Noise Ratio in Electrical and Electromagnetic Investigations. Electrical and electromagnetic geophysical methods have been used extensively for mineral exploration, and are developing a role in salinity mapping and contaminant identification. To enhance the utility of such methods for very shallow targets (in the case of salinity) and deep targets (minerals beneath regolith)improved signal processing methods are required. The project involves the development of time-series processing techniques using robust-statistical methods and remote-referencing to improve signal-to-noise data quality. Instrumentation hardware and software developments are required for in-field data acquisition and interpretation, applied to direct current (DC) resistivity, induced polarisation (IP) and time-domain EM (TEM).Read moreRead less