QUESTION 1: Compulsory
1. Indicate the primary geophysical (potential field) method/s that can be used in the
following applications: give a brief explanation why that is the most suitable (the use
of diagrams appropriately will attract marks):
(a) Looking for a for copper sulphide mineralisation in a banded gneiss (5)
(b) Reconnaissance exploration of iron ore deposits on in a large area of 100 km x
100 km (Magnetite and hematite combined).
(5)
(c) Imaging of salt dome
(5)
(d) Investigating pollution of fresh ground water on a municipal landfill or waste
disposal site such as the Kupferberg in Windhoek.
(5)
(e) Examining a mining area for acid mine drainage solutions from the oxidation
of pyrite from their tailings dam.
(5)
QUESTION 2.
(a) Why is the fall off rate on a magnetic anomaly faster than on gravity anomaly? Write
the general formula which expresses the form and amplitude of a
gravity (or magnetic) anomaly. Briefly explain the effect on an anomaly
of each of the parameters in the formula and outline possible ambiguities.
[3, 2]
(b) Show, with the aid of a sketch, the effect on a magnetic anomaly of taking
readings at too coarse a spacing. Discuss how this will affect interpretation?[3]
(c) State the two effects on a magnetic (or gravity) anomaly of burying its
source at progressively deeper depths?
[4]
(d) The laws of gravity allowed physicists and astrophysicists to measure the masses
of planets and stars. The remarkable accuracy of Newton's laws is that they were
able to be used to find the planet Neptune. Answer the following questions:
2