The main purpose of a site effect survey is to estimate the degree of amplification of the ground accelerations as a function of vibration (i.e. an earthquake) at a specific location. This is very important when constructing buildings and facilities for any purpose.

The phenomenon of seismic wave propagation on the surface of soils and soft rocks, as well as sedimentary basins and topographic structures, has in the past caused heavy damage and loss of human life. In places where no strong vibrations have been recorded, it is possible to estimate expected land fluctuations using analytical models.

To perform the calculations, information is required on the velocity of shear waves for each layer in the subsurface and the spatial distribution of soft deposits above the base rock. In particular, we are interested in identifying which major reflectors exist (the surface of rock layers that return seismic waves) and how deep they are. It is important to note that the geological layers are not necessarily uniform in space or thickness and their seismic speeds may change over short distances. Moreover, due to geological structure, the orientation of the subterranean strata varies, and sometimes they are not continuous due to the presence of deep faults.

Geological (e.g. drilling) and geophysical tools (e.g. refraction) exist for determining these parameters, but their use in urban areas is often complicated and expensive and the results are not necessarily suitable for characterizing the seismic effects on the surface of the site.

Therefore, a local seismological site effect survey enables the calibration and verification of an underground model constructed by integrating all existing information. Furthermore, a seismological survey that includes the recording and processing of background noise and weak earthquakes and the study of the relevant properties of the subsurface strata make it possible to identify the strata that influence the movement of the seismic waves in the subsoil while addressing frequencies that are important for planning and construction purposes.

The course of the data acquisition may take a period from 1 week to 2 months, depending on the amount of ambient background seismic noise that reaches the area. Data processing and model building may take up to 1 month.

Contact us to design a survey for your site.

Ground vibration monitoring is used to measure the influence of steep wave fronts travelling in the ground and air caused by traffic, construction projects, blasts at quarries, mines and more.

The GII provides special vibration monitoring for planning and execution phases of engineering projects as well as full time monitoring of sensitive facilities such as MRI workstations in Hospitals. Prior to commencement of your project, a Site Law survey is carried out to help you determine which tools and explosives can be used at which distances from sensitive buildings and utilities. Once work has commenced, we provide real-time vibration monitoring.

Preemptive Vibration Testing ("Site Law") - is used to preemptively determine the maximum vibration extent impact of high power land movement caused by mechanical operations, mining, vehicles and explosions on the work site and its surroundings. During the survey, a sample of intended explosives or the vehicles are activated at various locations, under consultation with the supervisor at the work site. The vibrations felt on the ground are measured at varying distances from the activity focus and a shock outline will be calculated and presented as an estimate of preventive activity. We are responsible for objective reporting according to standards set out in the strict German standard - DIN4150, Part III.

Vibration Monitoring – setting up real time vibration monitoring systems in and around your work site will ensure you and the local communities and regulatory bodies are all in sync with the influence of your work on the surroundings. Real time monitoring has been shown to significantly reduce the damage done and quickly resolve disputes and claims. During the survey we set up small portable seismographs around the worksite and measure Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) during the project and the Air Blasts with a special acoustic microphone. If the designated PPV exceeds a predetermined threshold, you will receive a real-time alert. 

Contact us to fit a monitoring technique to your project. 

Suitable for

• Quarries and Mines
• Civil Engineering Projects
• Military Engineering Projects
• Sensitive facilities: Hospitals, Banks, Power Stations, Reserves, Water Reservoirs, Dams and more

Technology

• Instatel Minimate III Plus
• Instatel BlastMate III 

GII's Internal Database - An extensive database can make all the difference in your next field exploration. Over the years, we have processed and archived thousands of surveys with a variety of field configurations and sources, both land and marine, 2D and 3D. We have the most comprehensive geophysical database of the region, containing a wealth of seismic data, field tapes of all the seismic surveys done in Israel, gravity and magnetic data, geological information and DTM files, research reports, logs and test data of wells drilled in Israel and the Middle East.

The National Geophysical Database - The Geophysical Institute of Israel is appointed by the Ministry of Energy of the State of Israel to house, maintain and provide services pertaining to the National Geophysical Database. We are responsible for managing and preserving all professional reports and data related to petroleum and natural gas prospecting taking place in Israel. These must be submitted by the companies in accordance with the Law. The geophysical data, which includes seismic surveys and and borehole logs at the drill sites, are valuable and sensitive. The information is safely stored in our physical archives, local servers and backed up remotely.

The below GIS Web portal provides information on what data has been acquired and where. 

The Ministry of Energy's policy is to provide all data accumulated in the Geological and Geophysical Databases – following their confidentiality release – to all prospectors, so as to assist them and increase their likelihood of success. To get copies of the data you will be required to obtain formal approval from the Ministry of Energy. 

Useful Links:

• Ministry of Energy
• Israel's Official offshore Oil and Gas exploration website
• More information on Israel Data Coverage

Contact us for more information

Magnetic Susceptibility (MS) and Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI) are perhaps the the leading tools for exploration geologists and geophysicists in Mineral Resources today.

The magnetic parameters are strong indicators for the presence of magnetic minerals in the subsurface rocks. Combined with the land based instruments' low-weight and ease-of-use, this tool is always utilized for copper, iron-ore, bauxite, gold and other base metal exploration campaigns. Furthermore, strong magnetic readings accompany intrusive and volcanic bodies, such as dikes, sills, and lenses. Thus, making the magnetic survey a very important tool in structural understanding of the exploration terrain, in regional and very localized focus areas. 

The GIIs magnetic teams comprise of a specialized geophysicist, a technician and a geodesy expert. Depending on the mobilization method (be it on foot, buggy, truck, horseback or other) we quickly navigate large areas and take precise magnetic readings coupled with high accuracy altitude and location measurements.

Full suite services including:

• Survey design
• Acquisition
• Processing
• Integration and Interpretation with Seismic, Gravity, EM and other geological data

We understand that precise anomaly detection and lineament demarcation is the basis for successful exploration campaigns.

Contact us to set up a free consultation.

Technology

• GEM-Systems Proton Precession Magnetometers & Gradiometers GSM-19-TGW Magnetometer (+/-2 nT @ 1 Hz absolute accuracy) 

Determining the distribution of mass in the sub-surface is very important in natural resource exploration campaigns and civil engineering development. As the gravity measurement is an indicator of rock density, this is a very useful exploration tool. For example, high mass anomalies may indicate ore bodies, low mass anomalies may indicate salt domes and linear anomalies suggest fracture zones or dikes.

The GII operates a special dedicated gravity division. In crews comprising of a geophysicist, technician and geodesy expert, we quickly navigate large areas and take precise gravity readings coupled with high accuracy altitude and location measurements.

Whether regional or local micro-gravity surveys, stand-alone or supporting a seismic campaign, the GII is ready to provide a solution. 

Full suite services including:

• Survey design
• Acquisition
• Processing
• Integration and Interpretation with Seismic, Magnetic, EM and other geological data

We understand that precise anomaly detection is the basis for successful exploration campaigns.

Contact us to set up a free consultation.

Technology

• LaCost & Romberg USA Aloid upgraded package G model Gravimeter with 0.01 mGal resolution and < 0.001 mGal / 1000 hr. drift

Geoelectric methods are best methodology for exploration of groundwater resources in both shallow and deep regional aquifers. This is due to the close relationship between resistivity and water salinity. These methods are also applied in engineering geology and archeological investigations for the detection of caves, voids, caverns, fractured zones and metallic objects. More recently, these methods have been employed in environmental studies for detailed landfill exploration and detecting leaks from lined waste disposal sites.

The GII operates a special dedicated geoelectrical division, which can executed tailor made surveys for various targets and in all kinds of terrains.

Full suite services including:

• Survey design
• Acquisition
• Processing
• Integration and Interpretation with Seismic, Magnetic, Gravimetric, Radar and other geological data

Contact us to set up a free consultation.

Technology

• IRIS Instruments - SYSCAL-R2 resistivity meter and multi-electrode switching system
• Geonics - PROTEM 67, 47 and EM-61 transient systems
• Elta Ltd. Russia - Cycle-5M deep transient system
• Propreitary GII Developed - Marine TDEM system

Culture and heritage are stored in archaeological sites around the globe, many of which have not been unearthed. As urbanization expands, engineers increasingly stumble upon archaeological sites which then require careful and dedicated excavation. 

The GII provides solutions for safe detection and mapping of walls, caverns, voids, metals and more under ground. 

Contact us to learn more.

Meeting the world's nutritional needs has fused agriculture with the latest technologies. Geophysics provides unique tools for non-invasive investigation and monitoring of root systems and aquifers. 

The GII's experts have worked with the top agri-tech companies in Israel on tailored solutions for agriculture. 

• Aquifer delineation and water well locating
• Brine solution migration
• Geological fault detection
• Voids and Sinkholes - find and map voids prior to your project kickoff
• Topsoil Depth - map the depth and profile of topsoil-bedrock interface

Contact us to find out how applied geophysics can give you the extra edge!

By applying and combining a myriad of geophysical methods, our client's gain invaluable insight into the sub-surface makeup, without invasive penetration. Saving lives, time and money. 

We keep dedicated teams and heavy duty technology ready-on-demand to meet your projects' needs.

• Geological Fault Mapping
• Buried waste - map the subsurface extent of landfills and hazardous waste in 3D
• Voids and Sinkholes - find and map voids prior to your project kickoff
• Topsoil Depth - map the depth and profile of topsoil-bedrock interface
• Brine/Freshwater interface mapping
• Ground Resistivity and electrical Conductivity profiles
• Metal and Military ordinance detection
• Vibration Monitoring - for quarries and mines, hospitals and sensitive facilities, short or long term engineering projects and more

Contact us to find out how applied geophysics can give you the extra edge!

Geophysics has long been a major tool for exploration and expansion of greenfield and brownfield mineral plays. In every exploration campaign, after regional satellite and airborne geophysics have been acquired, more precise targeting begins. The GII specializes in local geophysical campaigns aimed at supporting the delineation of ore bodies, mineralized beds and seams. Geoelectrical surveys such as Induced Potential (IP) and Time Domain Electro Magnetics (TDEM) have been very useful in detecting conductive base metals. Our gravity surveys have been widely employed by our clients to delineate high density ores. Whether in on virgin terrain, open pits or undergound shafts, our staff has been trained to work safely and efficiently to produce the highest quality geophysical data. 

Depending on the type of resource, it’s estimated depth, structural knowledge and other parameters, we can provide the right geophysics to your needs.

Choose from The GII's suite of geophysics for Mining and Mineralization projects:

• High Resolution Magnetic surveys
• Induced Polarization (IP) and Self Potential (SP) GeoElectric surveys
• Time Domain Electromagnetic Surveys (TDEM)
• Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) or Continuous Vertical Electrical Sounding (CVES)
• Gravity and Micro-Gravity surveying
• Seismic (Acoustic) Reflection Imaging in 2D and 3D and Downhole
• Seismic Data Quality Control, Resurrection, Processing and Interpretation
• Vibration Monitoring around quarries and mines
• Downhole and Crosshole Velocity surveys
• Elastic Rock Properties derivation via P-wave and S-wave refraction surveys
• Integrated processing and Interpretation of Geoscientific data

The GII maintains the National Geophysical Database for the State of Israel.

Learn more