Geophysical electrical resistivity surveying in Manchester

In 2012, we acquired a 64-electrode Tigre resistivity system from Allied Associates Ltd for teaching and research purposes. We have begun to use the equipment to investigate a range of sites including a legacy landfill site near Manchester, the Mam Tor active landslide and the cliffs around Winnatts Pass near Castleton (Derbyshire) and the tarn moss mound at Malham Tarn (North Yorkshire). We welcome enquiries for academic projects using this equipment.
The image above shows a profile collected across a previous landfill site near Manchester in collaboration with Tameside MBC. The site is now capped and fills a former brick quarry. The image shows a possible leachate (high conductivity) body within the fill and a sharp resistivity contrast at the base of the fill. (Collaborators: Steve Boult, Nicola Sellers and Arthur Nwachukwu (Manchester) and Andrew Taylor (Tameside MBC).)
The profile above was collected running north-south across the centre (waist) of the Mam Tor landslide (an active slump in shales). The top panel (a) shows the resistivity structure obtained after inverting the field data. The second two panels (b and c) show the vertical and horizontal gradients of the resistivity structure to highlight sharp gradients possibly indicating structure within the landslide. Panel (d) shows a rough interpretation with interesting resistivity boundaries marked. The survey was carried out after heavy rain so the areas marked FB are suspected fault breccias that became flooded with rainwater. (Collaborators: Nicola Sellers and Ernie Rutter (Manchester).)


Funding for the equipment was provided by the University of Manchester



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