APPLICATIONS

Geophysical assessment and monitoring offer powerful, non-invasive tools across all stages of mine development—from site selection to operations, closure, and post-closure stewardship. Our approach integrates a suite of complementary techniques—including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), time-lapse ERT, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), transient electromagnetics (TEM), conductivity profiling, hyperspectral imagery, and spaceborne radar—to generate volumetric, repeatable measurements of subsurface conditions and processes. Because mining activities frequently induce changes in subsurface conductivity, saturation, and structure, these methods are especially effective for tracking fluid migration, pore fluid chemistry, and mechanical instabilities. For example, time-lapse ERT can reveal the progression of dewatering operations or detect leachate migration, while satellite-based radar (InSAR) tracks ground subsidence associated with underground voids or tailings impoundments.

Our monitoring solutions are particularly well suited for tailings dams, where failure can have catastrophic environmental and financial consequences. By continuously imaging internal moisture distribution, pore pressure changes, and structural integrity, our systems offer early warning of seepage, internal erosion, or potential slope failure. This insight can prevent costly environmental remediation, regulatory penalties, and operational downtime—ultimately saving companies hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in avoided disaster scenarios.

Unlike conventional tools such as piezometers and thermistors, which provide only isolated point measurements, our geophysical systems deliver spatially continuous, high-resolution insight. By combining techniques with complementary sensitivities, we reduce uncertainty and resolve complex subsurface behavior at the scale mining operations demand. Whether deployed on the surface, in boreholes, within drifts, or embedded in infrastructure, our systems enable targeted, site-specific integration. The result: better risk mitigation, optimized performance, and actionable intelligence through an informed suite of surface and subsurface geophysical observations—designed to protect assets, streamline operations, and future-proof your mining investments.

Saltwater intrusion (SWI) threatens the viability of coastal groundwater resources worldwide, making aquifers unsuitable for drinking, irrigation, or industrial use. Our firm offers a tailored suite of geophysical techniques—including 4D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground-penetrating radar (GPR), transient electromagnetics (TEM), and in situ temperature and moisture sensing—to deliver spatially continuous, non-invasive observations of subsurface salinity dynamics. These tools provide volumetric, repeatable measurements sensitive to both lateral and vertical changes in saturation and conductivity, ideal for capturing the movement of saltwater-freshwater interfaces over time.

By deploying ERT arrays along surface transects or in vertical boreholes, and integrating complementary methods with ground-truthed measurements, we resolve recharge patterns, salinization processes, and subsurface heterogeneity in complex geologic environments. This approach also detects secondary signals associated with biogeochemical reactions, such as redox fronts or mineral dissolution. Observations are delivered in near real time through a secure, web-based interface designed for program managers and decision-makers—enabling timely, data-driven action and adaptive groundwater management.

Our methods build on global best practices. In Saudi Arabia, ERT has been used to investigate salinization dynamics in arid coastal regions. In the Netherlands, vertical resistivity arrays have long supported groundwater monitoring in deltaic settings. We advance these techniques with a unified, high-resolution monitoring strategy that reduces uncertainty, improves situational awareness, and supports sustainable use of coastal aquifers.

Time-lapse geophysical monitoring provides a critical advantage in managing complex subsurface contamination at industrial, municipal, and legacy waste sites. Traditional methods—reliant on sparse groundwater wells and intermittent sampling—often fail to capture the spatial extent and temporal dynamics of contaminant plumes. Our approach integrates 4D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), transient electromagnetics (TEM), and in situ moisture and temperature sensing to deliver volumetric, non-invasive data that reveals changes in pore fluid chemistry and saturation. These tools allow regulators, site managers, and environmental consultants to visualize plume migration, identify preferential flow paths, and track remediation progress in near real time.

In situ treatments such as bioremediation, soil vapor extraction, and chemical flushing often alter subsurface electrical properties, making geophysical methods especially effective for performance assessment. Time-lapse imaging helps determine whether injected amendments are reaching target zones, if contaminants are mobilizing or attenuating, and whether rebound occurs after treatment ceases. Rather than extrapolating from limited well points, our systems provide continuous spatial coverage—improving confidence in regulatory reporting, closure planning, and adaptive remediation strategies.

This monitoring approach is also well suited to landfills and waste containment facilities, where subsurface leachate migration poses long-term risks to groundwater and adjacent ecosystems. Geophysical arrays can detect early signs of liner failure or leachate leakage by identifying conductive anomalies that evolve over time beneath capped waste zones. Delivered via an integrated web interface, our near-real-time observations give stakeholders a clear, intuitive understanding of evolving subsurface conditions—supporting faster decision-making, reduced liability, and more effective environmental stewardship.

Water availability and distribution underpin both agricultural productivity and watershed health, yet conventional monitoring often lacks the spatial and temporal resolution needed to manage these systems effectively. Our tailored geophysical approach integrates terrestrial, UAS-based, and spaceborne sensing technologies to deliver a comprehensive picture of hydrologic processes across scales—from individual fields to entire catchments. Using surface-deployed electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), transient electromagnetics (TEM), and in situ moisture and temperature sensors, we resolve soil moisture dynamics, infiltration patterns, and root-zone saturation with high spatial fidelity. These data inform irrigation optimization, soil salinity control, and targeted nutrient management in precision agriculture.

To extend coverage beyond ground-based arrays, we deploy geophysical and remote sensing payloads from uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), capturing high-resolution imagery and spectral data that reveal vegetation stress, evaporation zones, and soil moisture variability. At the watershed scale, we incorporate satellite-based radar (InSAR) and multispectral/hyperspectral imagery to detect changes in land surface elevation, groundwater discharge areas, and vegetation response to hydrologic shifts. This multiscale, multi-platform strategy allows for time-lapse tracking of both surface and subsurface water movement—critical for drought monitoring, flood risk assessment, and watershed-scale recharge management.

All observations are synthesized into an intuitive, near-real-time web platform for landowners, irrigation districts, and water resource agencies. By integrating geophysical and remote sensing data into a unified decision-support framework, we enable proactive, data-driven water management. Whether allocating water resources across a drought-prone basin or optimizing irrigation across thousands of acres, our monitoring systems reduce uncertainty, increase resilience, and promote sustainable water use from the plot to the watershed.

Civil infrastructure—from transportation corridors to hydraulic structures—depends on the stability of the subsurface it rests upon. Yet deterioration processes such as internal erosion, moisture-driven settlement, and structural voiding often progress invisibly until failure occurs. Our firm offers a tailored suite of non-invasive, repeatable geophysical tools—including 4D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and transient electromagnetics (TEM)—to monitor these risks in real time. By imaging changes in moisture content, deformation zones, and conductivity anomalies, we help engineers detect early warning signs in embankments, levees, retaining walls, and below-grade infrastructure.

For dams and reservoirs, geophysical monitoring is particularly powerful. Time-lapse ERT can detect seepage zones, foundation saturation, and preferential flow paths—key indicators of developing weakness. Integrated with Self-Potential (SP) measurements and in situ temperature and pressure sensors, our systems provide spatially continuous data that enhance traditional instrumentation (e.g., piezometers, inclinometers). This approach supports early intervention in high-risk structures and complements performance-based maintenance and risk-informed asset management strategies.

We deliver all monitoring outputs via a secure, web-based interface that enables near-real-time visualization and alerting for asset managers, agencies, and engineers. Whether safeguarding a flood control dam, evaluating roadbed performance beneath seasonal thaw cycles, or monitoring settlement beneath a critical bridge approach, our geophysical systems provide the spatial and temporal resolution needed to manage infrastructure with confidence—protecting investments, public safety, and long-term resilience.

Our firm specializes in the integration of geophysical datasets—past and present—into unified, actionable frameworks tailored to the unique needs of each client. We routinely merge extant geophysical records with newly acquired surface and subsurface measurements, enabling deeper insight into long-term trends, legacy infrastructure conditions, or evolving environmental systems. Whether aggregating time-lapse ERT, borehole logs, aerial GPR surveys, or frequency-domain EM data, we standardize, validate, and interpret complex datasets to maximize their scientific and operational value.

To enhance spatial coverage and contextual understanding, we incorporate satellite imagery, airborne remote sensing, GIS layers, and site-specific environmental observations. Our workflows accommodate data at all scales—from petabyte-scale Earth observation archives to field notebooks and custom Excel files—and transform them into georeferenced, interpretable outputs for engineering, research, or regulatory decision-making. By combining advanced data fusion with domain expertise in geophysics, hydrology, and infrastructure, we deliver integrated solutions that reduce uncertainty, support modeling, and unlock the full potential of existing data investments.

Dams and levees often fail from hidden subsurface processes—internal erosion (piping), preferential seepage paths, foundation saturation, or structural heterogeneities—that develop invisibly over time. Forest Geophysical specializes in a tailored suite of geophysical observations designed to identify these risks before they evolve into costly or catastrophic failures. We integrate 4D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), Self-Potential (SP), and complementary techniques into site-specific monitoring strategies. These non-invasive, volumetric, and repeatable tools reveal evolving moisture and geochemical conditions across embankments and foundations—even in geologically complex settings. Unlike point-based instruments like piezometers and thermistors, our systems offer spatially continuous insights with flexible deployment options on the surface, in boreholes, along galleries, or embedded in engineered structures.

The United States contains over 92,000 dams, more than 16,700 of which are classified as high hazard potential—structures where failure could result in significant loss of life and property. Aging infrastructure, particularly dams exceeding 50 years without substantial upgrades, faces heightened threats from seepage, settlement, root intrusion, and animal burrowing. Our high-resolution ERT systems can detect subsurface saturation, leakage pathways, and conductive anomalies linked to structural weakness—long before they become visible or critical. Integrated SP measurements further enhance interpretation by quantifying seepage direction and velocity. This combined approach allows for early detection of vulnerabilities, supporting timely intervention and targeted maintenance. For each leak or weak zone identified early, tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs, regulatory fines, and emergency response expenditures can be avoided.

By combining geophysical techniques with complementary sensitivities, we reduce uncertainty and deliver a multidimensional view of subsurface behavior. Our tailored approach empowers dam owners, mine operators, and government agencies to move beyond legacy monitoring and into proactive infrastructure management. Whether for tailings dams, flood control levees, or aging public embankments, we provide the spatial and temporal resolution necessary to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and long-term performance—protecting assets while minimizing long-term costs.