Hi Guys and Gals,
All Metal Detectors represent a form of Geophysical Prospecting!
With that in mind, we can look at Metal Detecting and other methods of Geophysical Prospecting with a view of the technology behind them. What makes one Metal Detector perform BETTER than another? What do all of those terms mean? What does "Ground Balance" really do? "How does "Discrimination" work? What happens with larger Coils?
- Geowizard
Geophysical Prospecting!
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Geowizard
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Re: Geophysical Prospecting!
Discrimination;
I had an interesting experience...
I had a couple (a man and his wife) that were highly experienced, and confident metal detectorists that came over to visit. I thought it would be interesting to ask if they would like to show off their detectors.
I took a hand full of metal objects outside with some paper plates. I picked a random location in my yard and placed six paper plates on the ground. I placed a 3/8 inch nut on one, a 1/2 ounce silver bar on one, a gum wrapper on one, a 4 gram GOLD nugget on one, a lead bullet on one and nothing on one. Then, I covered each with a paper plate...
Guess what happened?
- Geowizard
I had an interesting experience...
I had a couple (a man and his wife) that were highly experienced, and confident metal detectorists that came over to visit. I thought it would be interesting to ask if they would like to show off their detectors.
I took a hand full of metal objects outside with some paper plates. I picked a random location in my yard and placed six paper plates on the ground. I placed a 3/8 inch nut on one, a 1/2 ounce silver bar on one, a gum wrapper on one, a 4 gram GOLD nugget on one, a lead bullet on one and nothing on one. Then, I covered each with a paper plate...
Guess what happened?
- Geowizard
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Jim_Alaska
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Re: Geophysical Prospecting!
Ground Balance = Positioning the detector so it doesn't tip over.
Discrimination = When I like my detector better than yours.
Larger Coils? = Make my arm ache.
Somehow I think you might be getting at something different.
Discrimination = When I like my detector better than yours.
Larger Coils? = Make my arm ache.
Somehow I think you might be getting at something different.
Jim_Alaska
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Jim_Alaska
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Re: Geophysical Prospecting!
Sorry, I just couldn't let the opportunity pass.
Jim_Alaska
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lindercroft@gmail.com
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Geowizard
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Re: Geophysical Prospecting!
Western Yukon Flats Survey;
HOT off the press... The Survey of the Western Yukon Flats has just been released!
http://dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/29683
"The early bird gets the worm"... prospecting is always a matter of getting on target first!
- Geowizard
HOT off the press... The Survey of the Western Yukon Flats has just been released!
http://dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/29683
"The early bird gets the worm"... prospecting is always a matter of getting on target first!
- Geowizard
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Geowizard
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Re: Geophysical Prospecting!
Moving;
For purposes of discussion, I started a separate thread on Western Yukon Flats. It will certainly have a lot of interest and deserves it's own thread.
- Geowizard
For purposes of discussion, I started a separate thread on Western Yukon Flats. It will certainly have a lot of interest and deserves it's own thread.
- Geowizard
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Geowizard
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Re: Geophysical Prospecting!
Geophysical Prospecting;
From another post - worth repeating here;
A prospector uses the tools that are available. It can be as simple as personal observation or it can involve an increasing number of resources... Placer GOLD prospectors have used a GOLD pan throughout most of modern history as the tool of choice. Most, if not all of the major GOLD discoveries made over the past two centuries were made using simple tools like a GOLD pan. When was the LAST major GOLD discovery made with a GOLD PAN?
I have read accounts of prospecting expeditions back in the 1800's in the US as settlement of the American west was taking place. Prospectors were organized to comb over mountainous regions and reassemble at a predetermined point to report their findings. Individuals made discoveries - sometimes by accident. The discoveries were mined out usually within a few years. Many Boom towns were developed during the Big Hurrah and then went bust.
We don't have those Discoveries anymore!
The OLD tools worked for a while. Now, we need NEW tools!
- Geowizard
From another post - worth repeating here;
A prospector uses the tools that are available. It can be as simple as personal observation or it can involve an increasing number of resources... Placer GOLD prospectors have used a GOLD pan throughout most of modern history as the tool of choice. Most, if not all of the major GOLD discoveries made over the past two centuries were made using simple tools like a GOLD pan. When was the LAST major GOLD discovery made with a GOLD PAN?
I have read accounts of prospecting expeditions back in the 1800's in the US as settlement of the American west was taking place. Prospectors were organized to comb over mountainous regions and reassemble at a predetermined point to report their findings. Individuals made discoveries - sometimes by accident. The discoveries were mined out usually within a few years. Many Boom towns were developed during the Big Hurrah and then went bust.
We don't have those Discoveries anymore!
The OLD tools worked for a while. Now, we need NEW tools!
- Geowizard
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Geowizard
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Re: Geophysical Prospecting!
Technology and Prospecting;
Electronic Technology began when Thomas Edison discovered that electric current would flow in a light bulb when a positive plate was added in the bulb. Soon afterwards, John Ambrose Fleming discovered (in 1904) the concept of "Control of electron flow" in a Vacuum Tube and "Electronics" was born. The age of "Radio" led to the development of Magnetometers and Electromagnetic sensor systems used in the search for submarines. GOLD prospectors found a NEW tool in the form of "Metal Detectors".
A seldom recognized or acknowledged French inventors (brothers) named Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger had also developed methods of measuring the "Resistivity" of the earth in the early exploration for OIL deposits. Those same methods were used then as they are today for GOLD exploration.
- Geowizard
Electronic Technology began when Thomas Edison discovered that electric current would flow in a light bulb when a positive plate was added in the bulb. Soon afterwards, John Ambrose Fleming discovered (in 1904) the concept of "Control of electron flow" in a Vacuum Tube and "Electronics" was born. The age of "Radio" led to the development of Magnetometers and Electromagnetic sensor systems used in the search for submarines. GOLD prospectors found a NEW tool in the form of "Metal Detectors".
A seldom recognized or acknowledged French inventors (brothers) named Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger had also developed methods of measuring the "Resistivity" of the earth in the early exploration for OIL deposits. Those same methods were used then as they are today for GOLD exploration.
- Geowizard
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Geowizard
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Re: Geophysical Prospecting!
The Challenge;
The challenge is to create systems and methods to see into the earth...
With Electronic Technology came the ability to transmit and receive electric and electromagnetic signals into the earth. Miniaturization of electronic circuits made portable metal detectors and other instrumentation that could operate on batteries. With reduced weight and size it became practical to install Geophysical instrumentation in Aircraft.
Most of the Earth's land mass is BURIED;
It's not practical to prospect for mineral deposits by random selection of places to sink a shaft or drill holes. That process has been tried by and it doesn't work. Exploration and prospecting within the exposed areas of the land and much of the sea floor has been done.
Prospecting had to be taken to a NEW level.
- Geowizard
The challenge is to create systems and methods to see into the earth...
With Electronic Technology came the ability to transmit and receive electric and electromagnetic signals into the earth. Miniaturization of electronic circuits made portable metal detectors and other instrumentation that could operate on batteries. With reduced weight and size it became practical to install Geophysical instrumentation in Aircraft.
Most of the Earth's land mass is BURIED;
It's not practical to prospect for mineral deposits by random selection of places to sink a shaft or drill holes. That process has been tried by and it doesn't work. Exploration and prospecting within the exposed areas of the land and much of the sea floor has been done.
Prospecting had to be taken to a NEW level.
- Geowizard