Science for Planet Earth

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Field Geophysics at SAGE Strategies for
Effective Education
BRAILE, Lawrence W. BALDRIDGE, W. Scott
JIRACEK, George R. BIEHLER, Shawn FERGUSON,
John F. PELLERIN, Louise MCPHEE, Darcy K.
BEDROSIAN, Paul A. SNELSON, Catherine M. and
HASTEROK, Derrick P.
Larry Braile braile_at_purdue.edu http//web.ics.pur
due/braile SAGE website http//www.sage.lanl.go
v/
Science for Planet Earth
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A Brief History of SAGE (Summer of Applied
Geophysical Experience) 2012 Our 30th Year!
SAGE is a unique program of education and
research in geophysical field methods for
undergraduate and graduate students from any
university and for selected professionals. The
core program is held for four weeks each summer
in New Mexico and for an additional week in the
following academic year at San Diego State
University for U.S. undergraduates supported by
NSF. Each year 25-30 students participate in
SAGE after being selected from a wide range of
large and small colleges and universities. Since
SAGE was initiated in 1983, 730 students have
participated in the program. NSF Research
Experience for Undergraduates (REU) funding for
SAGE began in 1990 and 319 REU students have
completed SAGE through 2011.
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Main Objectives of SAGE
? Teach the Major Geophysical Exploration Methods
(Seismic, Gravity, Magnetics, Electromagnetics)
? Apply the Methods to the Solution of Specific
Problems (Environmental, Archaeological,
Hydrologic, Geologic Structure and
Stratigraphy) ? Integration of Methods, and
Geology ? Present Career Options in
Geophysics ? Student Professional Development
? Research in the Rio Grande Rift Area
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SAGE Program Schedule Summary
Summer (4 weeks, Rio Grande rift area, New
Mexico) ? Exploration geophysics theory and
applications, classroom/lab/discussion
(7 days). ? Geophysical field work (1 day
near-surface archaeological site, 5 days
basin scale field area). ? Geology field trips
(3 days). ? Data processing, analysis,
interpretation, preparation of oral and
written reports interpretation and method
teams (5 days). ? Student presentations and
written reports (2 days). ? Presentations by
visitors industry, government,
academia (mostly evening talks, equivalent of 2
days). ? R R days (2 days). Follow-up workshop
for REU students in January ? Additional
analysis and interpretation of the data from
summer and preparation of abstracts for
presentation at professional meetings (5 days).
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Geophysical Exploration Methods
Near-surface Archaeological geophysics seismic
refraction, electromagnetics (EM), magnetics,
GPR Basin scale field area Gravity/GPS Seismic
refraction CMP seismic reflection
profiling Magnetics Magnetotellurics
(MT) Transient Electromagnetics (TEM)
Seismics
EM
Magnetics
GPR
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Gravity/GPS
Gravity Stations and Map
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Archaeological Site - GPR
GPR Image
Kiva?
Magnetics
1 m
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Seismic Reflection and Refraction
Vibroseis Truck
Flagging
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Driving the Vibe Truck Priceless
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SAGE Student Driver Whoa!!!
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Seismic Reflection and Refraction
Fault
Refraction
Reflection shot gathers
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Seismic Reflection and Refraction
Processed and Stacked CMP Reflection Section
Seismic data acquisition in the doghouse
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Electromagnetics
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Electromagnetics
2-D Model of TEM Soundings
S
N
Blue is resistive
200
1800 m
Ohm.m
1700 m
0
Elev.
1600 m
Red is conductive
1500 m
0 m
Distance
3400 m
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SAGE 2010 Geophysics Highlights
Blue is resistive
MT sounding indicating midcrustal conductor at
20 km depth.
West-East CMP stacked seismic reflection record
section. La Bajada fault plane reflections on
right.
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Successful Strategies (developed and refined
over the years)
1. Learning by doing immersion (intense
program/schedule). 2. Mix of
lecture/discussion field work data processing
and analysis modeling and interpretation
presentation of results. 3. Two tier team
approach (interpretation/integration teams
each team includes person representing different
methods technique oriented teams).
Provides focus, in- depth study, opportunity for
innovation (technique oriented teams), and
promotes teamwork and multi- disciplinary
approach (interpretation/integration teams). 4.
Emphasis on presentations (discussion on how to
prepare and deliver a 12 minute talk) teams
(all team members) make presentation each
student completes a written report (SEG expanded
abstract format) professional development.
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Successful Strategies (developed and refined
over the years)
5. Experiment Design Discussion safety,
constraints, data quality/quantity, research
objective, educational experience, set
parameters for survey, why multidisciplinary?,
etc. Students drive discussion. 6. Multiple
methods (each student gains experience with all
methods), and information on careers (students
really appreciate) networking. 7. Student
experiences and interactions (many of the
students become friends for life). 8.
Measures of success - High rate of continuation
to graduate school (about 75 of SAGE
undergraduates), support and feedback from
industry participants and visitors, student
evaluations at end of program, presentations at
professional meetings, publications, faculty
evaluation of student work.
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SAGE Students Geology Field Trip
SAGE website http//www.sage.lanl.gov/
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Additional SAGE Information
800 AM 1220 PM, Tuesday, Dec. 6, MCS Halls
A-C T21A-2316. Seismic and Gravity Investigation
of the Eastern Boundary of the Santo Domingo
Basin, Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico (Poster)
800 AM 1220 PM, Tuesday, Dec. 6, MCS Halls
A-C H21E-1170. Geophysical Characterization by
the SAGE Program of a Newly Proposed, Low
Temperature-EGS Prospect in the Central Rio
Grande Rift, New Mexico (Poster)
SAGE 2012 Information http//web.ics.purdue.edu/
braile/sage/SAGE2012.pdf
SAGE website http//www.sage.lanl.gov/
This PPT http//web.ics.purdue.edu/braile/sage/F
ieldGeophysics.ppt
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Challenges for the Future
Maintaining funding Program is expensive (low
student/faculty ratio, all off- campus,
geophysical equipment and field work).
Support for SAGE (funds and in-kind support)
NSF REU program, Los Alamos Natl. Lab,
US DOE, USGS, Industry, Society of
Exploration Geophysicists, participating
universities. Recruitment We continue to
have many excellent student applicants
However, we have had limited success in
increasing the diversity of SAGE
students. Added a component of SAGE to
involve Native American students from
New Mexico Pueblos. Maintaining momentum and
continuously enhancing program Requires
significant commitment of faculty.
Enhancements each year based on student feedback
and faculty consideration of successes
and failures.