Environmental Geophysics: ​Tools

This section includes links to tools for decision support, environmental geophysics utilities, forward (or predictive) models, and inverse models.

• Decision Support takes the user to several decision support tools such as the Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool (FRGT-MST) and the Groundwater - Surface Water Method Selection Tool (GWSW-MST).

  • FRGT-MST is an Excel-based tool for the identification of geophysical methods most likely applicable for investigations in fractured rock settings.

  • GWSW-MST is an Excel-based tool used to determine which field methods and approaches are best suited for groundwater - surface water investigations.

• Geophysical Software Utilities includes software utilities to determine the depth of investigation for some geophysical methods, and various conversion utilities.

• Forward Models lists free models and utilities to perform predictive models on the geophysical response to approximate geologic, hydrogeologic, and contaminant descriptions. Forward models are included for several geophysical methods and are a wonderful tool to enter known or approximated site-specific characteristics and generate a synthetic geophysical response. These models are powerful resources for decision making, testing geophysical method acquisition parameters, and evaluating if a method will likely achieve a desired result.

• Inverse models includes more free applications used to convert, or invert, field geophysical data to physical property values. All geophysical data are collected in raw format representing the three-dimensional earth physics; while inverting the data allows the transformation to the physical properties that are representative, or responsible, for the geophysical measurement. Inverse models are a required step in understanding the distribution of physical properties through a site.