Geochemical prospecting can be divided into surface and subsurface geochemical prospecting.

The former relies upon the analyses of soil samples collected along the surface of the earth at shallow depths, and yields two-dimensional information and maps. Surface geochemical anomalies are associated with the presence and areal extent, but not the depth nor the relief, or favorable structure. Surface geochemical prospecting is further divided into topsoil and subsoil geochemical prospecting.

Subsurface geochemical prospecting relies upon the analyses of well cuttings and cores. It yields information in one dimension, along the vertical, and is commonly referred to as geochemical well logging.

These various forms of geochemical prospecting are discussed, and their salient features described. The geochemical data permit the correlation of various geological and geophysical phenomena which previously appeared unrelated, and, in addition, have brought to light, for the first time, other phenomena of economic as well as theoretical interest.

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