Gone are the days when surveys were done with sticks and the position of the sun. With geophysical equipment from Advanced Geosciences Inc. and other similar companies, it's easier than ever to plunge into the dirt and scrutinize, analyze and categorize what you've found. Here are just a few tools that can make a difference in 21st century geology.
1: SuperSting R1 IP
The crowning jewel of earth resistivity meters, the SuperStng R1 IP is a one-of-a-kind model that combines portable memory capabilities with user-defined measurement cycles for one of the greatest and most accurate meters on the market. Though based on a multiple channel system, the SuperSting R1 goes back to the basics with single channels, allowing its users more control and convenience when out in the field. If you're looking for a resistivity meter that does it all, the SuperSting R1 is worth the investment.
2: AGI MiniSting
Specifically designed for smaller jobs, the MiniSting is the tool you'll need for surveys, grid testing and small-scale soil resistivity measurements. It's light and portable, perfect for the job without a lot of funding, and it's compatible with both Swift systems and Switch boxes, making it the obvious choice for multipurpose projects or ones where you aren't sure what equipment the site will require. The AGI MiniString will also serve as a great educational tool for archaeology classes, so don't be afraid to haul it out in front of the kids!
3: EarthImager 3D Software
The key to modern geology is in computer science, which is one of the reasons it's so important to have resistivity inversion software that you can trust. Bad numbers or poorly-defined variables on the screen can make all the difference when you're back in the field. Avoid this fate with something like EarthImager 3D, which will take all the data from your boreholes and compile it into a 3D volume rendering with zooming, rotating and deep analysis capabilities.
4: Swift Smart Electrode System
Capable of connecting to both Sting R1s and your PC, these electrodes will automate your entire system by taking user-set parameters and allowing them to define all your 2D and 3D measurements. You can save even more time by setting up their currents and voltage connections remotely. That's right: You don't even have to be on the ground with these electrodes to use them. Set your numbers, move on to another task and let the Swift Smart System do all the work.