Abstract

There are many ways in which surface geology can be useful to geophysics, not only as an aid to structural interpretation, but in refining the accuracy and improving the efficiency of geophysical methods. That the vast majority of geophysical work has been accomplished in relative ignorance of the surface geology is unfortunate. Many specific examples of misinterpretation and waste can be attributed to a lack of consideration of surface geology. Because of this historical lack of surface geologic consideration, there is a large reservoir of data which can be high-graded and refined inexpensively. Photogeology is by far the most rapid, effective and inexpensive way to obtain surface geology.

Possibly the geophysical tool most critically affected by the surface geology is gravity. Newton's first Inverse Square Law states that density changes closest to the gravimeter affect it most critically. Practical ways in which gravity and seismic data can be refined by coordination with photo-geology are cited and slides used to demonstrate the problems.