Derivative analysis of geophysical borehole traces

Abstract

We present a derivative analysis method that automatically detects and selects layers in any geophysical borehole trace. Using a wavelet analysis, we delineate relevant boundaries from inflection points. This allows for the automatic, objective detection of layers. Our software classifies layers based on importance in the geophysical data, and allows a user to select blocked layers based on total number of layers detected, a portion of the total layers, minimum layer thickness or the number of layers detected using a minimum operator width. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the layer blocking technique with some field examples in Western Australia and New South Wales for aquifer detection and soil classification.