Client profile
Geophysics area of the Center for Underground Exploration of ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad)
This is a summary of an article written by la Nacíon. As a summary in English on this web site or read the full article in Spanish.
Challenge
The need to explore the subsurface without impacting the environment or damaging archaeological features.
Solution
The GPR (ground penetrating radar) technique used by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) makes it possible to locate sedimentary rocks, alluviums and lahars without the need for drilling. This is possible because of a technique that uses electrical resistivity of the subsoil, which consists of injecting continuous or low frequency current in to the ground.
With the help of GPR, ICE is exploring the subsurface without impacting the environment or damaging archaeological pieces. The Guideline Geo devices used by ICE, with a non-invasive technique with electromagnetic waves, identifies areas where pipelines and archaeological pieces are buried in to the ground.
Results
-The tool that was acquired by the entity six months ago allows you to get information in half an hour instead of two days, says Waldo Taylor, coordinator of the Geophysics area of the Center for Underground Exploration Service of ICE.
-One objective that ICE always aims to fulfill before doing any environmental work is to conduct an archeological inventory. The investigation of the underground before doing any digging or drilling can prevent leaving a community without water for several days, says Taylor.
