Geology Program Receives Major Geophysical Instrument Donations

Keeping the geology program up-to-date with current technology is critical not only for research but also for the education and training of students. Having access to state-of-the art, cutting-edge technology dramatically increases our ability to provide students with the types of experiences that employers expect form their new hires.

For this reason, we are so grateful for companies that support our efforts, such as THG Geophysics, located in Murrysville, PA. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Thomas Jordan, a local environmental geophysicist and one of our part-time faculty, THG made a very generous donation of high-end geophysical in the fall of 2020. The equipment includes two Electromagnetic Induction Instruments, a Ground Penetrating Radar unit (GPR) and two total field magnetometers. These instruments can be used to detect a variety of buried items and features eliminating the need to “dig it up”. Immediate applications for these instruments include: work with the FBI to locate buried homicide victims; a fall 2021 course, Subsurface Investigations (GEOL 3709); and a multidiscipline research project to investigate the physical and chemical changes of decaying bodies in simulated shallow clandestine graves. 

The donated equipment used in conjunction with existing geophysical instruments, precision surveying equipment, precision global positioning system (GPS) gear and drilling equipment has an immediate impact on geology teaching and research capabilities. There is a sense of excitement among the geology faculty as the donation has an immediate impact on geology program research, course offerings and the ability to better prepare our graduates for exciting and personally rewarding careers in the geosciences.