Jan 2009 News Flash!

Earth Bytes is back in the consulting business after 4 years interpreting and applying Airborne Gravity Gradient data to kimberlite detection, porphyry copper exploration, aquifer studies, basin analysis, etc. 

 

 

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Shanti Rajagopalan started Earth Bytes in 1998.  Earth Bytes offers the following geophysical services:

 

Send e-mail to shanti@earthbytes.com.

 

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Shanti Rajagopalan

Shanti has worked as a geophysicist for many years in government agencies, for academia and in the exploration industry.  Likewise, her work experience has been varied:

  • Exploration for different commodities in several countries and in different geological terranes,
  • Geological interpretation of regional geophysical data sets,
  • Research into rock magnetism, interpretation techniques & radiometrics,
  • Teaching students & training industry geoscientists, and
  • Editing technical papers for GEOPHYSICS and Exploration Geophysics.

Shanti is a member of the SEG and of the ASEG.

 

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Interpretation of Geophysical Data

At Earth Bytes, we specialise in applying the following methods to mineral exploration:

·         Aeromagnetic

·         Airborne Gravity Gradient

·         Gravity

·         Radiometric &

·         EM

 

We are skilled in both “qualitative” interpretation (interpreting geology from geophysics) and in “quantitative” analysis (modeling in both 2D and 3D).  Some of our recent projects have included:

·         Producing “inferred geology maps”

·         Modelling aquifers

·         Mapping magnetic flows & dykes

·         Exploration for Kimberlite, Iron Ore, Copper Porphyry, Coal, Nickel, etc.

·         Analysing low latitude magnetic data

·         3D modelling of magnetic & gravity gradient data &

·         Target-specific data transformations and image processing.

 

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Training Programmes

We offer training programmes for geologists and geophysicists on the use of geophysics, especially magnetic, gravity and the radiometric methods, in mineral and oil exploration.

Courses are tailored to suit the needs of the target group and include interactive computer-modelling and interpretation sessions with model and field data. 

In all cases, a workshop on geological interpretation of geophysical data forms the backbone of the course.  The courses offered include:

·        The Magnetic Method in Mineral Exploration

·         The Gravity Gradient & Gravity Methods

·         The Radiometric Method in Mineral Exploration

 

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The Magnetic Method in Mineral Exploration

This is the most widely used method.  The course focuses on

·         Inferring geology from aeromagnetic maps

·         Rock Magnetism, Ore Deposits & Magnetic Anomalies

·         Modelling Magnetic Anomalies in 2D and 3D

·         Data Enhancements & Transformations &

·         Aeromagnetic Survey Design.

 

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The Gravity Gradient & Gravity Methods

The gravity method is perhaps the most under-utilised method. Like the magnetic method, it can be applied over the whole range from project generation to target identification. The method tends to be used on a big scale and not for target identification because the target anomaly amplitude in mineral exploration is usually much smaller than the amplitude of the corrections that have to be applied to gravity data.  But the Airborne Gravity Gradient method has come of age and proved its worth in mineral exploration, aquifer analysis & oil exploration. 

 

This course combines the best of the gravity and gravity gradient method.

·         Relationship between gravity and the gravity gradient

·         Different Gravity Gradient acquisition systems

·         Density, Geology & Gravity/Gravity Gradient Anomalies

·         Modelling Gravity & Gravity Gradient Anomalies in 2D & 3D

·         Processing, Enhancements & Transformations

 

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The Radiometric Method in Mineral Exploration

Radiometric data are nearly always collected with aeromagnetic data.  High noise associated with older surveys is now minimised by new, multi-spectral processing techniques.  The interpreter can now separate alteration signatures associated with mineralisation from gross lithology.  The course covers

·         Radio-element distribution in rocks

·         Factors contributing to radiometric anomalies

·         Processing of multispectral data

·         Pattern recognition techniques

·         Interpretation techniques and

·         Design and QC of surveys.

 

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Geophysical Research

Mineral exploration often generates geophysical problems requiring short-term or long-term solutions. Earth Bytes offers problem solving and research experience on a variety of topics, some of which are listed below:

  • Vector magnetics
  • Design of magnetic surveys
  • Geophysical signatures of specified ore-types
  • Semi-automated magnetic interpretation
  • Pattern recognition applied to multi-spectral radiometric interpretation
  • Rock Magnetism
  • Low Latitude Magnetics

 

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Computing

At Earth Bytes, we produce select computing tools for geophysicists. Our current project is MAGMA (Magnetic Modelling and Analyser), a user-friendly, GIS-based interpreter for magnetic anomalies.

 

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Last Revised: 20 February 2009