Groundwater exploration plays a critical role in securing reliable water supplies for domestic, agricultural, industrial and environmental use. As surface water resources become increasingly constrained, understanding subsurface hydrogeology has become essential for sustainable water management.
Geophysical surveys provide a non-intrusive, cost-effective means of investigating subsurface conditions over large areas, allowing groundwater systems to be characterised before drilling or infrastructure development begins in both regional and site-specific groundwater exploration programmes.
Rather than relying on a single dataset, modern groundwater exploration increasingly depends on the integration of multiple geophysical techniques. This approach improves confidence in aquifer identification, reduces exploration risk, and supports long term water resource planning.
Metatek applies advanced geophysical survey methods to groundwater projects worldwide, combining airborne and ground-based data acquisition with high quality processing and interpretation to deliver robust hydrogeological insights. Contact us if you would like to learn more about how geophysical surveys can support your groundwater exploration projects.
The primary purpose of a geophysical survey in groundwater exploration is to reduce uncertainty. By imaging subsurface structures and physical property contrasts, geophysics supports informed decisions about where and how groundwater resources may be present.
Typical objectives include:
Geophysical surveys are particularly valuable in regions where drilling data is sparse, terrain is challenging, or aquifers are concealed beneath complex geology.
Gravity based methods are widely used to investigate basin architecture and sediment thickness, both of which are fundamental to understanding groundwater systems. Variations in subsurface density can indicate changes between consolidated basement rock and lower density sediments that may host aquifers.
Metatek applies both conventional gravity surveying and full tensor gravity gradiometry to groundwater projects. Gravity data provides medium to long wavelength information, which is essential for identifying large scale basin geometry and regional structural trends. Gravity gradiometry, including the use of enhanced FTG systems, delivers higher resolution data that can highlight subtle density contrasts associated with shallower aquifers or structural features.
These datasets are particularly effective for understanding groundwater systems at both regional and project scale, including:
When integrated with other geophysical methods, gravity data helps define the structural framework within which groundwater systems operate.
Magnetotellurics plays a key role in groundwater exploration by mapping subsurface electrical resistivity. Because water bearing formations often exhibit lower resistivity than surrounding rocks, MT data is highly effective for identifying potential aquifers and understanding hydrogeological structures.
Metatek’s magnetotelluric surveys provide imaging from shallow depths to tens of kilometres below the surface. This depth penetration allows both shallow and deep groundwater systems to be investigated within a single survey framework.
MT data is particularly useful for resolving key hydrogeological questions, including:
When combined with gravity and gravity gradiometry data, magnetotellurics helps resolve ambiguities and provides direct constraints on subsurface properties.
Magnetic surveys contribute to groundwater exploration by identifying geological structures that influence groundwater storage and movement. Faults, fractures, and lithological boundaries often act as conduits or barriers to groundwater flow.
While magnetics does not detect groundwater directly, it plays an important supporting role by helping to define the geological context of aquifer systems. Magnetic data is commonly used for:
Metatek integrates magnetic data with gravity, gravity gradiometry, and magnetotelluric datasets to build a coherent structural model that informs hydrogeological interpretation.
Accurate surface elevation data is essential for groundwater studies, particularly in regions with complex topography or dense vegetation. Airborne LiDAR surveys provide high resolution digital terrain models that support both geophysical processing and hydrogeological analysis.
LiDAR data is commonly used to:
Metatek routinely incorporates LiDAR into groundwater exploration projects to ensure the highest possible data quality and interpretation confidence.
The true value of geophysical surveys lies in data integration. No single method provides a complete picture of a groundwater system, particularly in geologically complex environments. Metatek’s approach focuses on combining multiple datasets into a unified earth model that supports hydrogeological interpretation and decision making.
The complementary role of each geophysical method in groundwater exploration can be summarised as follows:
Geophysical Method | Physical Property Measured | Primary Contribution to Groundwater Exploration |
Gravity and Gravity Gradiometry | Bulk Density & Density Contrast | Defines basin geometry, sediment thickness, and depth to basement |
Magnetotellurics | Electrical Resistivity | Maps resistivity contrasts to identify aquifers, caprock, and fluid salinity |
Magnetics | Magnetic Susceptibility | Identifies structural controls such as faults and lithological boundaries |
LiDAR | Surface Topography | Provides high resolution terrain data to support corrections, recharge studies, and access planning |
This integrated workflow typically includes:
These models support decision making at every stage of a groundwater project, from early exploration through to long term resource management.
Geophysical surveys significantly reduce the risks associated with groundwater exploration by improving targeting and minimising unnecessary drilling. This is particularly important for large scale water resource projects, managed aquifer recharge schemes, and climate resilience planning.
Metatek’s geophysical expertise supports a wide range of groundwater related objectives, including:
By providing high quality subsurface intelligence, geophysics enables groundwater resources to be developed responsibly, efficiently, and sustainably.
Geophysical surveys are a cornerstone of modern groundwater exploration, offering a powerful means of understanding subsurface conditions without invasive investigation. Through the integration of gravity, gravity gradiometry, magnetotellurics, magnetics, and LiDAR, groundwater systems can be characterised with a high degree of confidence.
Metatek’s role lies in applying these technologies in a coherent, unbiased, and technically rigorous manner. From feasibility studies and survey design through to acquisition, processing, and interpretation, Metatek delivers geophysical solutions that support informed decision making and sustainable groundwater development.
If you would like to learn more about how geophysical surveys can support groundwater exploration projects, contact the Metatek team for expert guidance.
