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H. Cecil Spicer

Publications and source records attributed to H. Cecil Spicer.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1957

The application, technique, and theory of Gish-Rooney instruments, methods, and interpretation in electrical resistivity measurements

The foundations of electrical prospecting were laid by Fox (1830) and Barus (1882). The former discovered that electrical currents and potentials were developed by certain ore deposits in Cornwall, England. Fox made measurements of these potentials and determined the resistivities of the minerals and surrounding rocks also. The latter, invented the non-polarizing electrode with which he overcame the polarizing effects of direct current, and was able to trace and extend the Comstock lode. According to Slichter (1934, p.234), F. Neumann proposed as early as 1884 determining the resistivity of the earth by a four-electrode method nearly like our present technique, and carefully developed the mathematical theory of the method. Wells (1914) followed the work of Barus with studies of the electric activity in ore deposits. Ambronn (1926) gives an extensive bibliography of the early work in geophysics. The classical work of Wenner (1917) and, almost at the same time and independently, that of Schlumberger (1920) laid the foundations for resistivity measurements on the surface of the earth. While Schlumberger was actually making measurements of earth resistivity related to structural studies as early as 1912 in France, work in this country was slow in developing from the work of Wenner, but it was gaining adherents following the pioneering work of Kelley (1922) and Gish (1923). Probably the work of Gish and Rooney (1925) Who redesigned the apparatus of McCollum (1925) was the largest contributing cause in this country for the sudden interest and expansion of electrical methods. Their work was followed by many others in the late 1920's, some of which are: Gish (1926); Rooney and Gish (1927); Rooney (1927); Gish and Rooney (1927); Lee (1928); Hotchkiss, Rooney, and Fisher (1929); Weaver (1929); Lundberg (1929); Leonardon and. Kelley (1929); Crosby and Leonardon (1929); Carretta and Kelly (1929); Koenigsberger (1929}; Runkel (1928, 1929); Heiland (1929); and many others.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1955

Electrical resistivity measurements in the Neillsville area, Wisconsin

Sixty-eight electrical depth profiles were completed in the vicinity of Neillsville, Wis. to obtain information on the water-bearing beds in the glacial moraine and consolidated sedimentary rocks in the area. No productive aquifers were found but the best areas for test drilling are described. The basic theory and interpretation procedures, together with a short description of field methods on electrical resistivity measurements are also presented.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1955

A search for aquifers of sand and gravel by electrical-resistivity methods in north-central New Castle County, Delaware

A search for aquifers in an area immediately north of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in New Castle, Del., has been made by an electrical resistivity study. The search located 32 sites that may be underlain by sand and gravel. The thicker deposits are significant with respect to the occurrence of ground water, and all of them are of interest as possible sources of sand and gravel for construction purposes, such as for highway construction. The thickness of these deposits ranges from 4.4 feet to 77 feet, and the computed resistivity for these ranges from a low of 97,800 ohm-cms to a high of 423,800 ohm-cms. The study located with certainty one buried channel filled with sand and gravel deposits and pointed out the possibility of others that may be aquifers. The interpretations show that a large deposit of sand and gravel is present in the eastern part of the area investigated and it is tentatively assumed that this deposit is continuous and may yield large quantities of ground water. Places where the deposit was found to be the thickest and of high resistivity are described.

Delaware↗
USGS1952

Electrical resistivity studies of subsurface conditions near Antigo, Wisconsin

Resistivity measurements are reported for the glaciated area near Antigo, Wis., to locate buried sand and gravel deposits in the glacial drift, which might be developed as aquifers, and to determine depths to the pre-Cambrian bedrock. The results of the resistivity study are presented both as cross sections and as contour maps. The apparent resistivity curves, their interpretation in terms of the thickness and character of the geological materials, as well logs of the area are given. On the basis of the study a number of sites were selected that would be suitable for drilling water-supply wells, no drilling has been done on the sites selected.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1948

Electrical resistivity investigations at Memphis, and Bolivar, Tennessee

This geophysical investigation was undertaken upon request of Elliott M. Cushing of the Ground Water Division Office at Memphis, Tennessee. The field work was performed during the period March 13 to 28, 1947; the apparent resistivity curves were interpreted during November and December; and the report was written subsequent to the interpretation of the curves. The writer is grateful to Elliott M. Cushing and his staff for the splendid cooperation and generous assistance extended to him in obtaining the measurements. It is also a pleasure to acknowledge the assistance of George J. Edwards in obtaining the field measurements.

Tennessee↗