LIAG

Section 2: Geoelectrics and Electromagnetics

: Section staff in August 2009, from left to right: Wolfgang Südekum, Dieter Epping, Kazunori Takahashi, Mohamed Attwa, Jan Igel, Ugur Yaramanci, Michael Grinat, Annika Steuer, Robert Meyer, Julia Holzhauer, Raphael Dlugosch, Holger Preetz, Joachim Sauer (Gerlinde Schaumann, Regine Ziekur, Raphael Holland und Thomas Günther are missing)

The section "Geoelectrics and Electromagnetics" is doing experimental and theoretical work on direct current geoelectrics, induced polarisation, low frequency electromagnetics and GPR. The research activities contribute to the exploration of accessible underground zones and are classified within three disciplines: Methodological Developments in Geoelectrics, Shallow Structure Exploration, and Technical Developments.

The work of the section concentrates on the development of new methods and equipment. A great deal of work is also carried out in the other key research areas: groundwater systems - structure, quality, processes and terrestrial sediment archives / structure, genesis, age.

Social relevance

Exploring the underground at depths influenced by anthropogenic effects provides greater understanding of the structure and dynamics of the uppermost part of the earth’s crust, and therefore has economic as well as ecological relevance. Underground geological structures can be surveyed with the help of high resolution geoelectric and electromagnetic techniques. In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the significance of shallow investigations. Findings from the shallow surveys are of interest to modern agriculture, soil scientists, the clean-up of environmental pollution, as well as clearing anti-personnel mines.

The wide range of geophysical methods available to the section have proven to be indispensable for the solution of the questions put to the group. When tackling these questions, and for the purposes of the disciplines used by the section, the work involves the development of new methods or optimisation of existing methods, as well as their field testing, and development for practical applications.