🌍 Geophysical Decision Support Platform

Select the Right Geophysical Method for Your Investigation Problem

Convert complex subsurface investigation challenges into practical geophysical survey strategies. Trusted by civil, geotechnical, dam, tunnel, mining, and environmental engineers.

14+
Geophysical Methods
10+
Application Sectors
8
Case Study Templates
4-Step
Guided Wizard
What investigation challenge are you solving?
GeoMethod Advisor covers all major near-surface geophysical applications across industry sectors.
🏗️

Civil Infrastructure

Foundations, highways, railways, embankments, retaining structures, and urban utility mapping investigations.

FoundationsHighwaysRailwaysUtilities
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Dams & Tunnels

Dam safety assessments, seepage detection, tunnel alignment risk, and underground structure integrity evaluation.

Dam SafetySeepageTunnelsIntegrity
⛏️

Mining & Geology

Ore body delineation, rockhead mapping, fault detection, rippability assessment, and geological structure mapping.

MiningRockheadOre BodiesFaults
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Environment & Groundwater

Contamination plume mapping, groundwater exploration, aquifer characterisation, and archaeological surveys.

GroundwaterContaminationArchaeologyAquifers
A guided expert consultant in your browser
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Smart Recommendations

Rule-based method selection engine tuned for near-surface geophysics across all major problem types.

📋

Step-by-Step Wizard

Guided 4-step workflow covering problem definition, requirements, site conditions, and practical constraints.

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Method Comparison

Side-by-side comparison table with suitability scores, depth capability, resolution, and cost efficiency ratings.

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Method Library

Detailed reference cards for 14+ geophysical methods with field setup, deliverables, and limitations.

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Expert Mode

Advanced technical inputs including resistivity contrast, velocity contrast, electrode spacing, and inversion complexity.

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Exportable Report

Polished consulting-style recommendation report ready for project documentation and client proposals.

💡 Professional Advisory Disclaimer: Final investigation design should always be validated with site-specific geology, borehole data, and experienced geophysical professionals. No single method is universal — integrated approaches improve confidence.
Get your geophysical method recommendation in minutes

Answer a few guided questions about your investigation problem and site conditions — the advisor does the rest.

🔍 Method Advisor Wizard
Answer each step carefully for the most accurate recommendation
1
Define Problem
2
Requirements
3
Site Conditions
4
Constraints
5
Your Info
Step 1: Define the Problem
Start by characterising your investigation context. Be as specific as possible for a more accurate recommendation.
📎
Drag & drop files here, or click to browse
PDF · Images · DWG · Excel · Word · CSV  ·  Files are stored locally for your session only
ℹ️ Not sure which problem type fits? Select the closest option — you can add detail in the description field. The advisor will use all inputs to refine recommendations.
Step 1 of 5
Step 2: Investigation Requirements
Define what you need to detect, at what depth, and to what level of detail.
0 – 3 m (very shallow)
3 – 10 m (shallow)
10 – 30 m (moderate)
30 – 100 m (deep)
100 – 300 m (very deep)
> 300 m (ultra deep)
Very High — sub-metre features
High — 1–3 m features
Moderate — 3–10 m features
Regional / Reconnaissance
Soil–rock interface
Weathered rock
Fractured / jointed rock
Seepage / leakage path
Void / cavity / sinkhole
Metallic utility / pipe / cable
Non-metallic utility (PVC, concrete)
Groundwater / aquifer
Contamination plume
Buried structure / foundation
Mineralized / ore zone
Weak / loose / disturbed zone
Unknown — let the advisor decide
Screening / reconnaissance
Detailed investigation
Design input
Risk assessment
Construction-stage support
Post-rehabilitation validation
Forensic investigation
Resistivity (electrical)
Seismic velocity (P-wave / S-wave)
Density (gravity)
Magnetic susceptibility
Chargeability / IP
Dielectric properties (GPR)
Natural potential / SP
Unknown — let the advisor decide
ℹ️Not sure? Select Unknown and the advisor will suggest suitable contrasts based on your problem type.
⚠️Depth and resolution are usually trade-offs. Deeper investigation typically means coarser resolution. If both are critical, a multi-method approach is recommended.
Step 2 of 5
Step 3: Site Conditions
Site access and physical conditions heavily influence which methods are feasible and effective.
Open ground / agricultural field
Urban road / pavement / footpath
Dam crest / slope / embankment
Tunnel / underground space
Riverbed / lake / water body
Forest / dense vegetation
Hilly / steep terrain
Industrial / brownfield site
Concrete / hardstand surface
Waterlogged / marshy area
Restricted / limited access site
Less than 20 m
20 – 100 m
100 – 500 m
More than 500 m
Heavy traffic / vibration
Electrical noise (power lines, transformers)
Buried pipelines / cables
Metallic clutter / debris
High moisture / saturated ground
Saline / contaminated ground (high conductivity)
None / Unknown
Yes
No (pavement / rock surface)
Limited access
Yes
No
Limited
Yes — avoid ground disturbance
No — invasive methods acceptable
Not sure
Yes — boreholes available
No
Planned for later
Step 3 of 5
Step 4: Practical Constraints
Budget, timeline, and deliverable requirements determine the most appropriate survey strategy.
💰 Low-cost screening — minimum investment
⚖️ Balanced — cost vs confidence trade-off
🎯 High-confidence — best available combination
Same day
1 – 3 days
1 week
More than 1 week
Method recommendation only
Full survey plan
Bill of Quantities (BOQ)
Technical proposal
Report-ready interpretation framework
Preliminary — indicative results
Standard engineering confidence
High confidence — method integration + validation
💡No single geophysical method is universal. Integrated methods substantially improve confidence and reduce ambiguity. Final design should always be validated with site knowledge, geology, and targeted drilling.
Step 4 of 5
Step 5 of 5
🎯 Advisory Result
Geophysical Method Recommendation
Based on your investigation problem and site conditions
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Confidence Score
Performance Ratings
Primary Method Analysis
Depth Suitability
Resolution
Field Practicality
Cost Efficiency
Interpretation Confidence
Suggested Survey Configuration
Field Setup
Expected Depth:
Expected Resolution:
Integration & Next Steps
Validation Plan
⚠️ Key Limitations & Risks
What to Watch For
All Methods Evaluated for Your Problem
Suitability assessed against your depth, target, and site conditions.
Method Suitability Typical Depth Best For Key Limitation Recommended Role
⚠️Professional Disclaimer: These recommendations are generated by a decision-support tool using generalised rules. All field investigation designs must be reviewed and finalised by a qualified geophysicist or geotechnical engineer with knowledge of site-specific conditions.

📚 Geophysical Method Library

Reference guide to near-surface geophysical investigation methods — applications, depth ranges, strengths, and limitations.

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📂 Case Examples

Illustrative geophysical investigation cases showing recommended method combinations and rationale for common problem types.

Geophysical Investigation Strategy Report
Near-Surface Geophysical Method Selection Advisory
Report Date:
Prepared for:
Organisation:
Sector:
Confidence:
1. Problem Summary

2. Input Assumptions
ParameterValue Entered
3. Recommended Investigation Strategy

4. Method-wise Rationale
MethodRoleRationaleExpected Output
5. Suggested Field Layout

6. Key Limitations
7. Suggested Validation Plan

Professional Disclaimer

This report is generated by an automated decision-support tool using generalised geophysical guidelines and does not constitute professional engineering advice. All recommendations must be reviewed, validated, and adapted by a qualified geophysicist or geotechnical engineer with knowledge of the specific site conditions, project requirements, and applicable standards. The tool authors accept no liability for decisions made solely on the basis of this advisory output.

About GeoMethod Advisor

A free, professional decision-support platform for near-surface geophysical method selection — built for civil, geotechnical, dam, tunnel, mining, and environmental engineers.

Expert Mode
Enable advanced technical inputs throughout the wizard for more detailed method selection parameters.
⚡ Expert Mode
Unlocks advanced fields: resistivity/velocity contrast, electrode spacing, inversion complexity, frequency range, ambiguity risk, and borehole control inputs.
⚡ Expert Mode is Active

When Expert Mode is enabled, the following additional input fields become visible throughout the Method Advisor wizard:

Step 1Expected resistivity, velocity, density contrasts · Ambiguity risk
Step 2Frequency range · Electrode spacing · Geophone spacing
Step 3Line length · Terrain correction · Inversion complexity · Borehole control
How it works
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Guided Wizard

4-step structured questionnaire covering problem type, investigation requirements, site conditions, and practical constraints.

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Rule-based Engine

Method selection rules based on established geophysical practice, adapted for 15+ common near-surface investigation scenarios.

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Structured Output

Primary method, supporting combination, cautionary notes, suitability ratings, and a consulting-style recommendation report.

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Free & Private

Runs entirely in your browser. No data is stored on servers without consent. Free to use for all geotechnical professionals.

14+ methods across all near-surface domains
Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT) Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) MASW Induced Polarization (IP) Self Potential (SP) Microgravity Magnetic Survey Electromagnetic (EM) VLF Seismic Reflection Cross-hole Tomography Downhole Seismic Borehole Geophysics
⚠️ Advisory tool — not a substitute for professional judgment. GeoMethod Advisor provides guidance based on generalised rules. All investigation designs should be finalised by a qualified geophysicist or geotechnical engineer. Site-specific geology, regulatory requirements, and professional standards must always take precedence.
Message
Generating recommendation…