Acquisition of High Resolution Ground Penetrating Radar for Volcanological, Hydrogeological, and Very Near Surface Investigations

这笔赠款支持南佛罗里达大学购买一个定制改装的地面穿透雷达（GPR）系统，该系统配备了激光定位系统和多个天线（频率为100、250和500 MHz）。 该系统将由迈阿密大学RSMAS的Mark Grasmueck博士根据先前资助的原型设计（ESTA-0323213）建造。 该系统将包括一个商用的MALA Geosciences RAMAC探地雷达系统和屏蔽天线，一个旋转激光定位系统，该系统允许在部署期间快速（相对于标准探地雷达网格技术）重新定位的天线的厘米精度定位，以及融合探地雷达和激光定位时间序列数据的软件。 探地雷达系统将允许对近地表下进行快速三维高分辨率、地理参考和时间序列（四维）成像。 火山碎屑沉积物内从近喷口到远区的地层关系的PI研究将有助于改进火山碎屑扩散和喷发机制的模型。 研究灰岩坑在碳酸盐岩含水层流体迁移中的作用对减轻地质灾害和水资源管理具有重要意义。 PI将开发一个新的地球科学研究生课程，让学生接触GPR应用和数据分析。 考古学和法医人类学课程也将使用GPR系统。

This grant supports acquisition of a custom-modified ground penetrating radar (GPR) system equipped with a laser positioning system and multiple antennas (at frequencies of 100, 250 and 500 MHz) by the University of South Florida. The system will be built by Dr. Mark Grasmueck at the University of Miami - RSMAS based on a prototype design previously funded (EAR-0323213). The system will include a commercially available MALA Geosciences RAMAC GPR system and shielded antennas, a rotary laser positioning system, which allows for cm accuracy positioning of antennas that can be rapidly (relative to standard GPR gridding techniques) relocated during deployments, and software to fuse the GPR and laser positioning time series data. The GPR system will allow for rapid 3-D high resolution, georeferenced and time series (4-D) imaging of the near subsurface. PI studies of the stratigraphic relationships within tephra deposits from near vent to distal regions will help to improve models of tephra dispersal and eruption mechanisms. Studies of the role of sinkholes in carbonate aquifer fluid migration have ramifications for mitigating geohazards and for water resources management. The PIs will develop a new graduate course in the geosciences to expose students to GPR applications and data analysis. Courses in archeology and forensic anthropology will also utilize the GPR system.