A.A. Averin1, V.V. Antipov2, D.S. Gorkin3, V.V. Kopeikin4, D.A. Smirnov5, A.A. Pivtorak6, V.I. Sakhterov7

1–5,7 Pushkov Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation RAS (Moscow, Russia)

6 Deep GPR Research (Saint Petersburg, Russia)

7 LLC "RL Radar in geophysics and radiophysics" (Moscow, Russia)

3 gorkin@izmiran.ru, 6 info@deep-gpr.com, 7 sakhterov@mail.ru

In geophysics, in the electrical exploration section, the georadiolocation method of subsurface radiosonding, abbreviated as georadar, has become widespread over the past 45 years. This non-contact measurement method based on the propagation and reflection of electromagnetic waves has advantages over classical methods of electrical exploration, expanding the scope and detail of research. The non-contact method of measuring with ground-penetrating radar allows measurements to be carried out at a certain distance from the surface of the device. The fields of application and the depth of research of GPR radars from various manufacturers are shown. The theory of calculating the limiting depths of georadiolocation based on Maxwell's formulas related to the frequency and conductivity of rocks is presented, formulas are given and graphs are constructed indicating the convergence of calculations using the classical adapted radar formula for semi-conducting rocks. The calculations of the limiting depths were performed using the classical radar formula adapted for calculations in semi-conducting rocks with different linear attenuation, and graphs were constructed. The numerical values obtained are compared with the results of practical work confirming these calculations. Over the past 15 years, Russian manufacturers have made a breakthrough in the manufacture of low-frequency ground-penetrating radar with high-power transmitters based on domestic gas-filled arresters, significantly expanding the depth and scope of application in the search for minerals. Based on theoretical calculations and experimental data, the frequency is divided into classical high-frequency (shallow-depth) and low-frequency (deep-depth) ground-penetrating radars. The influence of the characteristics of various rocks on the results of subsurface radiosonde is shown.

Averin A.A., Antipov V.V., Gorkin D.S., Kopeikin V.V., Smirnov D.A., Pivtorak A.A., Sakhterov V.I. Evelopment of deep georadiolocation. Electromagnetic waves and electronic systems. 2025. V. 30. № 3. P. 62−75. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j15604128-202503-08 (in Russian)

1. Popov A.V., Prokopovich I.V., Edemsky D.E., Morozov P.A., Berkut A.I. Deep penetration subsurface radar: principles and application. Electromagnetic waves and electronic systems. 2018. V. 23. № 4. P. 28–36. (in Russian)
2. Volkomirskaya L.B., Gulevich O.A., Varenkov V.V., Reznikov A.E., Sakhterov V.I. Modern GPR "Grot" series for environmental monitoring. Ecological systems and devices. 2012. № 5. P. 3–5. (in Russian)
3. Radio engineering instrument of subsurface sounding (georadar) "OKO-3". Universal basic kit. Technical description. User manual. [Electronic resource] – Access mode: https://www.geotech.ru/images/geographic/teh_opisanie_na_oko3_ot_17-10-18.pdf?ysclid= mb9d8uih9g928069490, date of reference 12.03.2025. (in Russian)
4. Geoscanners AB. [Electronic resource] – Access mode: https://www.geoscanners.com/, date of reference 12.03.2025.
5. Finkelstein M.I. Fundamentals of radar. Moscow: Soviet Radio. 1973. 496 p. (in Russian)
6. Theoretical foundations of radar. Ed. by V.E. Dulevich. Ed. 2. M.: Soviet Radio. 1978. 607 p. (in Russian)
7. Finkelstein M.I., Kutev V.A., Zolotarev V.P. Application of radar subsurface sounding in engineering geology. Moscow: Nedra. 1986. 128 p. (in Russian)
8. Averin A.A., Antipov V.V., Gorkin D.S. A method for comparing the parameters of GPR. Electromagnetic waves and electronic systems. 2024. V. 29. № 5. P. 71−75. DOI 10.18127/j15604128-202405-11. (in Russian)
9. Gorkin D.S. Comparison of ground-penetrating radars Python, Triton, Grotto, Vine, Sphere. Abstracts of the XV Scientific and technical Conference "Short-range and ultra-short-range radar systems." Moscow: IZMIRAN. 2024. P. 124–128. (in Russian)
10. Baskakov S.I. Fundamentals of electrodynamics. Moscow: Sovetskoe radio. 1973. 248 p. (in Russian)
11. Ivanov A.A., Novikov P.V., Novikov K.V. Electrical exploration: textbook. Moscow: MGRI. 2022. 80 p. (in Russian)
12. Dobrynin V.M., Wendelstein B.Yu., Rezvanov R.A., Afrikyan A.N. Commercial geophysics. Moscow: Nedra. 1986. 342 p. (in Russian)
13. Vladov M.L., Sudakova M.S. Georadiolocation: from the physical foundations to promising areas: textbook. M.: GEOS. 2017. 240 p. (in Russian)
14. VNIISMI Company LLC. [Electronic resource] – Access mode: https://www.geo-radar.ru/articles/article5.php#1, date of reference 12.03.2025. (in Russian)
15. Moorman B., Robinson S., Burgess M. Imaging near-surface permafrost structure and characteristics with Ground-Penetrating Radar. Recorder. 2007. V. 32. № 2. P. 23–30.
16. Depth to Bedrock Survey | EARTHSCAN. [Electronic resource] – Access mode: https://www.earthscantech.com/project-1, date of reference 12.03.2025.
17. Lithium Pegmatites Exploration | Groundradar. [Electronic resource] – Access mode: https://groundradar.com/services/resource-exploration/lithium-pegmatites, date of reference 12.03.2025.
18. GPR Systems for Geophysics and Environmental Assessment. [Electronic resource] – Access mode: https://www.geophysical.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/GSSI-GPRforGeophysicsEA.pdf, date of reference 12.03.2025.
19. Gulevich O.A., Volkomirskaya L.B., Varenkov V.V., Reznikov A.E., Trigubovich G.M., Chernyshev A.V. Study of the electrical conductivity distribution in the cryolithozone based on the data of the method of reflected electromagnetic waves (MREW). Journal of Radio Electronics. 2021. № 9. DOI 10.30898/1684-1719.2021.9.6. (in Russian)
20. Varenkov V.V., Gorkin D.S., Smirnov A.D., Sahterova T.V., Sahterov V.I. The results of experiments with the GPR «Sphere». Electromagnetic waves and electronic systems. 2024. V. 29. № 5. P. 66−70. DOI 10.18127/j15604128-202405-10. (in Russian)
21. Utility model patent RUS218691 dated 06.06.20234. Georadar for radar sensing of the underlying surface. Gorkin D.S., Varenkov V.V., Sakhterov V.I. (in Russian)
22. Utility model patent RU219610U1 dated 27.07.2023. Georadar transmitter. Gorkin D.S., Sakhterov V.I. (in Russian)