Chiang Mai

Collaborating Authors

Chiang Mai

Southeast Asia Applied Geophysics Workshop: Geoscientists Without Borders

Liberty, Lee M. (Boise State University) | Wood, Spencer M. (Boise State University) | Hinz, Emily A. (Boise State University) | Mikesell, Dylan (Boise State University) | Singharajawarapan, Fongsaward (Chiang Mai University) | Shragge, Jeffrey (University of Western Australia)

OnePetroOctober, 2010

Summary As first-round recipients of the SEG Foundation Geoscientists Without Borders program, we conducted a geophysics workshop in northern Thailand to train students and professionals in geophysical methods to address environmental and engineering challenges. Faculty, technicians, professionals and students from fifteen participating institutions from seven countries acquired, processed and interpreted geophysical data at four separate sites in Chiang Mai, Thailand. These field sites were selected to train participants in the use of a variety of geophysical methods to address groundwater, archaeology, and geohazard concerns. The workshop consisted of one week of data acquisition followed by a week of data analysis for seismic, ground penetrating radar, electrical, electromagnetic, gravity, and magnetic data. Participants learned geophysical theory while acquiring, processing, and interpreting geophysical datasets. At the end of the workshop, participants documented and presented their results. Final products from the GWB-sponsored field training including a 125-page student generated field camp report and a 180-slide presentation. Photos and technical information can be found and downloaded at http://cgiss.boisestate.edu/gwb Introduction The SEG Geoscientists Without Borders (GWB) program was created to help connect universities and industries with communities in need using applied geophysics projects as a means to benefit people and the environment around the world. Our project was developed to educate and connect local geophysicists and students in Southeast Asia. The goal was to instruct participants, using modern geophysical instrumentation and software, how to address environmental and engineering applications in their home country. By gathering 41 professional and student participants from seven countries and fifteen institutes (Table 1), we believe we have honored the GWB mission. Our vision was to not directly address specific near-surface geophysical issues, but to provide scenarios to train local professionals and future geophysicists to solve hazards or geosciences problem found within their own countries borders. By providing the tools and skills necessary to address groundwater, geotechnical, and archaeology problems, we hope to have a greater impact on projects throughout Southeast Asia for many years to come. This model was derived from our existing geophysics field camp (e.g., Colorado School of Mines and Boise State University, 2009). Faculty, graduate students, and technicians provided student instruction (Table 2) both in the classroom and field settings (Figure 1). Introductory lectures were presented by local experts and visiting faculty to discuss field sites and an overview of geophysical methods applicable at each site. An instructor was provided for each geophysical tool and field site to guide the student participants through acquisition, processing, and interpretation phases of the training. All instruction was carried out in English with at least one bilingual (Thai) participant in each group and a 3:1 student/instructor ratio. Participants from government and private agencies provided leadership for some geophysical applications, but also provided a broadening of geophysical tools and a student connection to the work force. In addition to the generous support of the SEG GWB program, many other institutes and individuals contributed to the success of this workshop (Table 3), with a combined contribution that exceeded $130,000.

OnePetro

SEG

SEG-2010-3853

2010 SEG Annual Meeting

Boise State University, Chiang Mai University, Colorado School, educational setting, geophysical method, geoscientist, interpretation, participant, Reservoir Characterization, seg seg denver 2010, solid waste management, southeast asia applied geophysics workshop, student, Thailand, thailand department, University, Upstream Oil & Gas, Wiang Kum Kam, Workshop

Country:

North America > United States > North Dakota (0.46)
Asia > Thailand > Chiang Mai > Chiang Mai (0.37)
North America > United States > Idaho > Ada County > Boise (0.30)

Genre: Instructional Material > Course Syllabus & Notes (0.89)

Geophysics:

Geophysics > Seismic Surveying (1.00)
Geophysics > Gravity Surveying (0.90)

Industry:

Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
Education > Educational Setting (0.69)

Oilfield Places: Asia > Thailand > Chiang Mai Basin (0.99)

SPE Disciplines: Reservoir Description and Dynamics > Reservoir Characterization > Seismic processing and interpretation (1.00)

Technology: Information Technology > Data Science (0.50)

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Student-based Archaeological Geophysics In Northern Thailand

Hinz, Emily A. (Boise State University) | Liberty, Lee M. (Boise State University) | Wood, Spencer H. (Boise State University) | Singharajawarapan, Fongsaward (Chiang Mai University) | Udphuay, Suwimon (Chiang Mai University) | Paiyarom, Apichart (Department of Mineral Resources) | Shragge, Jeffrey (the University of Western Australia)

OnePetroOctober, 2010

Summary As part of the 2010 near-surface geophysics workshop in Chiang Mai, Thailand, local archaeological targets were used as a basis for teaching geophysical data collection, processing, and interpretation techniques. By addressing local issues and interests, the workshop was able to demonstrate to participants and the local community how near-surface geophysics can be applied using simple survey methods and low-cost processing techniques. Introduction The inaugural Geoscientists Without Borders (GWB) funded Southeast Asia geophysics workshop took place from 3-16 January, 2010 in Chiang Mai, Thailand with 41 student participants and 14 instructors at three main field sites with additional data collected in the greater Chiang Mai Basin. The multi-national two week geophysics workshop focused on near-surface archaeological, geological and geohazard issues at sites in the greater Chiang Mai, Thailand area. GWB is a non-profit initiative managed by the SEG Foundation and supported by donations from members and corporate donors. The GWB’s mission is to fund projects that use geophysics to benefit communities and the environment around the world. The workshop consisted of one week of data collection and one week of processing, interpretation, and presentations. While the workshop exposed participants to a suite of geophysical methods and applications, the workshop also allowed local and governmental agencies the chance to investigate the usefulness of geophysics for addressing near-surface problems. At the end of the workshop, participants both orally presented their findings and compiled a publically-available written report for all the data sets and sites. Two archaeological sites, Wiang Kum Kam and Wat Pan Sao, were surveyed by the field camp participants to evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of various geophysical techniques: seismic methods including refraction and reflection (not discussed here), groundpenetrating- radar (GPR), DC resistivity, and magnetic. Furthermore, the geophysical surveys at these two ancient temple sites aimed to locate anthropogenic structures of historical significance. Each student participant contributed to at least one component of data acquisition, processing, interpretation, and presentation of the two sites. While the structural remains at both of these sites were similar in their composition, construction, and general design, the two sites yielded different results and interpretations. Contrasting environmental conditions, such as differences in soil compositions and noise sources at the sites contributed to differences in data quality. Interpretation of data from Wiang Kum Kam yielded no evidence for anthropogenic structures underneath the survey area while the data from Wat Pan Sao shows large areas of amplitude anomalies where additional structures may likely be buried. Methods For the archaeological surveys, we used a 200 MHz GSSI GPR system with constant-offset survey geometry, a Geometrics G858 cesium vapor gradient magnetometer, and a manual ABEM resistivity meter. At Wiang Kum Kam, we laid out 10 m x 10 m survey grids with 2 m overlap to allow for balencing of magnetic data between survey grids. The radar was collected with parallel transverses at 1 m spacing. While we collected profiles using a constant sampling rate instead of an odometer wheel, we marked every 1 m with the GSSI system.

OnePetro

SEG

SEG-2010-3848

2010 SEG Annual Meeting