Cleveland News

Subsurface geology includes inspecting the physical properties and the location of soil and rocks found underneath the surface. Sometimes, it becomes difficult for humans to access these areas because the spots are too tough to reach. In such cases, autonomous vehicles using subsurface geology are used. These studies help to provide essential geotechnical reports that are crucial for constructing buildings in areas that have geologic hazards.

Importance of this service

An excellent example of a situation where subsurface geology was not used is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Had these vehicles been used in 1360, the entire structure would not be leaning, as it is so famously known for. One of the reasons why this technology is becoming so popular in recent times is to reveal potential hazards like unstable slopes and underground coal mining workings. Since it is always better to prevent than cure, these vehicles are doing an incredible job to protect the hazards than to counter the damage later. That is why most engineering companies resort to obtaining geotechnical reports so that they can identify any issues before starting a project.

Mining gravel and sand are two of the essential parts of the construction industry. These resources are vital to providing the raw materials required to make asphalt and concrete that are further used in building houses, offices, and roads. Constructions companies also use these vehicles with subsurface geology to understand the quality and quantity of gravel and sand available in a specific area. The subsurface data from the scan help in various mining processes, such as mine design, determining mining methods, and total reserve estimates.

These studies are also essential to understand the condition of underground aquifers and protect them if they are in danger. Autonomous vehicles using subsurface geology also have waterproofing elements that prevent the machine from getting disturbed in water. With different states often complaining about the water crisis, this is one of the most effective methods to make sure that they get clean water without any obstacles in between. With these reports, the government can understand how the water should be stored in aquifers and the process in which contaminants may enter the system.

Subsurface geology also provides critical information about geothermal explosions, imaging magma chambers, finding active faults related to paleoseismology, carbon sequestration, metal mining, and gas and oil exploration.

How to find subsurface geology data

The autonomous vehicles used in subsurface geology findings use several methods to collect information. Each method has specific resolution and depth limitations beyond which the vehicle will not be able to proceed. That is why different locations use different types of cars to gather data regarding the materials, rock, and soil underneath man-made structures. Some of the methods used by autonomous vehicles are:

• Passive seismic surveys

• Ground-penetrating radar

• Boreholes

• Active seismic surveys

• Gravity and magnets

The age-old technique of drilling boreholes is one of the popular methods and is used even now. But, with the use of subsurface geology, the readings are more accurate.