12.221 Field Geophysics

12.221 Field Geophysics

Instructors Brad Hager, Tom Herring, Stephane Rondenay

IAP 2008

Description

Course provides an introduction to practical methods of modern geophysics including the Global Positioning System (GPS), gravity, and seismology. Fieldwork is conducted in western US and includes intensive 7-day field exercise. Focus is on measurement techniques and their interpretation. Subjects discussed include an introduction to the science of gravity, GPS and field seismology. In field trip we will measure crustal structure, fault motions, tectonic deformations, and the local gravity field. Students perform high-precision measurements and participate in data analysis. Emphasis is placed on the principles of geophysical data collection and the relevance of these data for tectonic faulting, crustal structure, and the dynamics of the earthquake cycle

Web: http://eapsweb.mit.edu/courses/iap.html

2004 field camp web site is 12.221_2004

2005 field camp web site is 12.221_2005

Contacts:

Brad Hager 54-622 253-0126, bhhager@mit.edu

Thomas Herring, 54-820A, 253-5941, 617-980-9526 (cell) tah@mit.edu

Stephane Rondenay 54-618, x3-6299, rondenay@mit.edu

Important Dates: Friday December 14: Camp Fee due.

$100.00 Fee due Carol Sprague Room 54-912 253-3381. Check made payable to MIT. We need this check to make the flight reservations.

Detailed Aims of IAP 2008 Course:

This year's camp will be held near Vidale California in the Riverside Mountains. We will be looking at two basic topics in the course (a) development of a sub-surface model for the structure in the region using seismology and gravity measurements collected at field camp with previous gravity measurements and (b) Measurement of any motion of GPS marks in the region by comparison of our static GPS measurements with results from previous GPS surveys. Post-camp analyses will focus on addressing these two problems and combining the data collected this year with other data. We will be interested in the possible effects of ground water use on the surface positions of GPS monuments.

Dates:

Course starts: Monday January 7, 2008

Likely Field times: Thursday, January 10 to Thursday January 17, 2008

Class completion: Friday, January 24. 2008.

Logical information:

Items to bring to camp:

* Valid picture ID: Either driver's license or passport. Note: MIT ID or a copy of a passport is not acceptable form of ID.

* Tent

* Sleeping bag (long-range forecast is for 40 deg nights and 60 deg during day). Lows of 30 have been recorded in this area.

* Ground sheet/Sleeping pad

* Sturdy boots (sufficient to handle rough terrain)

* Sturdy pair of gloves

* Sturdy water bottle

* Hat for sun protection

* Flashlight (extra batteries)

* Sun block and moisturizer (air will be dry at 300m altitude)

* Field notebook, pens, calculator, GPS hand held (if you have one)

* Laptop computer if you have one you want to bring

* Some snacks, trial mix, gum (All food will be provided while in camp)

* Books to read during "off-times"

* Personnel items and clothing for 7 days in field. Layering of clothing is best for day and night conditions.

* Swimming gear for stays at hotels

Flight Itinerary

Depart Logan Airport: US Airways US 0845

6:45 AM, Thursday Jan 10, Boston to Las Vegas

Arrive Las Vegas 10:11 am, pick up equipment, drive directly to field camp. Travel time to camp will be about 3.5 hours.

Meet in parking lot between Biology and Stata at 4:45 am Thursday morning.

Return: US Airways US 0882,

1:15 PM Thursday Jan 17, Las Vegas to Boston

Arrive Boston 9:01 pm.

Wednesday Jan 16; 1-night Clarion Inn, Las Vegas, 325 East Flamingo Road (702-732-9100)

Meet Here

4:45 AM Thursday

Camp location:

Latitude 34.0625, Longitude 245.4559, Ellipsoidal Height 234 (m).
(Our best guess at the moment).

Vidal CA weather

Class Notes

Lec 1	PPT	PPT Web	PPT pdf			Basic introduction to class
Lec 2	PPT	PPT Web	PPT pdf	Lec Doc	Lec PDF	Introduction to seismology
Lec 3	PPT	PPT Web	PPT pdf			Introduction to gravity
Lec 4	PPT	PPT Web	PPT pdf			Introduction to GPS