300 leading scientists from all over Europe converged on Dublin from 7-9 September for a conference that celebrated cutting-edge Irish geological research. "Near surface geophysics" is an important component in Ireland’s recent infrastructural development. It involves the extensive study of the earth that lies immediately underground. The conference, which was hosted in Trinity College Dublin, highlighted various Irish projects and methodologies spread across a range of sectors including engineering, environment and archaeology, together with examples of their application to Irish projects.

This is an area of geoscience with considerable potential for developing a specialist knowledge-based internationally-traded service industry. That was according to the minister who opened the conference, Conor Lenihan, Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. "The important role that engineering geophysics has played over the last 15 years in ground investigation for major infrastructural projects in Ireland’s National Development Plan has encouraged the conference organisers – the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers - to select Ireland to host the conference for the very first time", he said.

In explaining the importance of near surface geophysics to Ireland, conference organiser, Peter O’Connor, referred to the unprecedented nature of Ireland’s infrastructural and industrial development over the last decade. Much of this has required large scale ground investigation studies, he said. "These studies now make use of near surface geophysics techniques to help us gain a more detailed understanding of the underlying environment of the site, for example, how sound it is for its planned purpose." Appropriate use of geophysical methods assists in assessing if the siting of a development in a particular location is appropriate, reduces overall project costs and minimises risk, he said.

Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) profile. This technique generates profiles of the sub-surface, showing variations on the resistivity of materials to electrical current. Lithological variations occurring within 25m of the subsurface can be inferred. Main variations are related to grain size and sorting. Moreover depth to bedrock can be estimated with high accuracy.

Ireland’s two biggest near surface geophysics projects were presented at the conference in great detail. These are the INFOMAR and TELLUS projects. The former refers to Ireland’s seabed survey that is currently concentrating on mapping the shallow seabed surrounding Ireland (and is documented elsewhere in this newsletter). The Tellus project was a recent airborne geophysical study of the earth across Northern Ireland. It collected scientific data on rocks and minerals which will help manage the environment and support sustainable natural resource development. As well as the presentation of these projects, Irish scientists from varying backgrounds presented on a range of subjects, including the mapping of peat areas in the Irish midlands and the characterisation of landslides using a range of geophysical techniques. The conference website is hosted at www.eage.org.

 Back to top