The 2018 SEG Near-Surface Geophysics Technical Section Proposed Technical Sessions (Please note, the identified session topics here are not inclusive of all possible near-surface geophysics technical sessions, but have been identified at this point.) Session topic/title Session description and objective Coupled above and below-ground Description: There have been significant advances in a variety of geophysical techniques in the past decades to characterize near- monitoring using geophysics, UAV, surface critical zone heterogeneity, including hydrological and biogeochemical properties, as well as near-surface spatiotemporal and remote sensing dynamics such as temperature, soil moisture and geochemical changes. At the same time, above-ground characterization is evolving significantly – particularly in airborne platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) – to capture the spatiotemporal dynamics in microtopography, vegetation and others. The critical link between near-surface and surface properties has been recognized, since surface processes dictates the evolution of near-surface environments evolve (e.g., topography influences surface/subsurface flow, affecting bedrock weathering), while near-surface properties (such as soil texture) control vegetation and topography. Now that geophysics and airborne technologies can capture both surface and near-surface spatiotemporal dynamics at high resolution in a spatially extensive manner, there is a great opportunity to advance the understanding of this coupled surface and near-surface system. This session calls for a variety of contributions on this topic, including coupled above/below-ground sensing technologies, new geophysical techniques to characterize the interactions between near-surface and surface environments. Near-surface modeling using Description: The first few meters of the subsurface is of paramount importance to the engineering and environmental industry. tomography Accurate estimations of physical properties are challenging in these areas because of the unconsolidated nature of the material. This even makes lab testing for strength, compaction and porosity very difficult without inducing any disturbances. Using tomography on geophysical data in general, due to their non-intrusive nature and sensitivity to the state of soil/rock consolidation can be a promising tool for investigating the physical properties of this zone. Objectives: 1. To have a common session on tomographic application in near-surface modeling 2. To be able to compare and contrast different tomographic analysis in shallow subsurface characterization, and their pros and cons Petrophysical relationship - link Description: Geophysical tools show the promise to provide spatiotemporal information of subsurface hydrogeological properties in a hydrologic parameters with minimal invasive way. Accurate characterization of subsurface using geophysical tools is challenging due to incomplete understanding geophysical signals of how the highly coupled physical, biological, and geochemical processes occurring spatiotemporally change the geophysical responses. The link between the geophysical signals with subsurface parameters of interests requires understanding of petrophysical relationships and coupled fluid flow and biogeochemical processes. Several petrophysical relationships have been established and most of them are empirical and database dependent. Recently new theoretical or empirical models have been significantly explored to provide mechanical explanation of geophysical responses and/or simulate the effective properties of porous media. This workshop will provide the opportunities for experts in rock physics and anyone who is interested in petrophysical relationships with applications to both hydrogeological investigations. The topics include theoretical developments, laboratory experiments, and field demonstration. Developments and Applications of Description: Active and passive (ambient vibration) surface wave techniques, including the multi-channel analysis of surface Active and Passive Source Surface waves(MASW), spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW), array microtremor, H/V spectral ratio methods have become increasingly Wave Methods popular over the past 15 years. Surface wave measurements may involve acquisition of Rayleigh wave data, Love wave data, or both. Surface wave techniques are often used for site characterization as part of earthquake hazard assessment. Other applications include (Special Session) mapping bedrock and fault zones, compaction control for the pads of critical structures, pavement assessment, levee assessment, geologic site characterization, void mapping, etc. Objectives: In this session, we welcome presentations on new developments in data acquisition, data reduction and modeling/inversion strategies. Case studies with practical applications of surface wave methods are also welcome. Coastal Zone geophysics Description: The Coastal Zone is one of the most important environments on earth where major cities are heavily populated, and ports and harbors and coastlines include substantial infrastructure necessary for society to survive and enjoy. Because the Coastal Zone spans the region from land to water, there are special requirements for obtaining subsurface information needed to identify and map potential environmental hazards. Site surveys are needed to plan routes for pipelines and other coastal infrastructure, and to locate obstacles for planned construction. Major coastal infrastructure includes energy, transportation, water supply, hydrocarbon production, processing and storage, waste management, and critical defense installations. Due to the difficult data acquisition within the transition zone – where water meets land – the Coastal Zone may be considered the biggest data gap in earth sciences. Consequently, a session to examine numerous examples of data acquisition, processing and interpretation to understand this critical environment and provide important lessons for continued research and commercial projects within the Coastal Zone. Southern California is a natural place to focus attention on Coastal Zone geophysics which are important around the world including all areas where water and land meet – oceans, lakes and rivers. Objective: The proposed session will provide numerous examples of near surface (and deeper) geophysics used to solve important societal problems including environment, natural hazards, coastal infrastructure, and national defense. Some examples may include coastal energy systems such as offshore wind farms, ocean thermal energy, hydrocarbon production, processing, and storage, water supply (desalination and seawater intrusion), waste treatment and disposal (e.g., CO2 sequestration, sewage, waste water from hydrocarbon production), earthquake, tsunami, storm surge, sea level rise, riverine flooding and water-related hazards to harbors, ports, bridges and other coastal infrastructure, and coastal populations. In addition, the numerous government regulations regarding geophysical work in the sensitive coastal environment need to be addressed and reviewed to help provide a coordinated planning and data acquisition framework for continued successful development and enjoyment of the Coastal Zone. Noise attenuation techniques in Description: Near surface seismic surveys are typically acquired under economic constraints that do not allow for anything approaching near-surface seismic surveys an optimal survey design. In the case of near surface reflection seismic surveys, the observation is frequently made that there is little or no visible signal. The observation could also be made that there is just too much noise. In either case, reducing/attenuating noise in the acquired seismic data is critical in generating interpretable seismic products. The proposed technical session seeks to merge talks that describe acquisition strategies for improving signal-to-noise in the recorded seismic data with talks that describe processing algorithms and/or strategies for attenuating noise in the processed seismic data. Objective: The goal of the session will be to highlight the interplay between these aspects of data acquisition and data processing in near surface reflection surveys. The session seeks to have an even distribution of acquisition and processing presentations. Acquisition strategies should be illustrated through case studies. Description: Airborne geophysics uses aircraft, helicopter, or UAV to tow geophysical instruments to do geophysical survey, including Airborne geophysics airborne gravity, magnetics, EM and radiometry. Due to its moving platform, airborne geophysics has been widely used in mountains, deserts, lakes and swamps, and forest-covered areas for mineral exploration, oil & gas, environmental and engineering, groundwater, and ocean investigation, etc. This technology has special usage in NSG due to its high resolution near the Earth’s surface. However, the forward modeling and inversion theory, the instrumentation and the data processing and interpretation are still underdeveloped and have much room for improvement. To set up the session on airborne geophysics in this meeting will certainly help speed up largely the development of this technology. Near-surface geophysics applied to Description: The search and characterization of earthen archaeological features is an important topic in geophysical prospecting for archaeological research archaeology due to the large temporal and spatial distribution of such type of cultural heritage. Earthen