The fundamental unit of matter is the atom, which is composed of a nucleus consisting of protons and neutrons surrounded by a cloud of electrons. This module discusses the basics of radioactivity and how the decay rate can be described by Poisson statistics. All detectable gamma radiation from earth materials come from the natural decay products of only three elements at the surface ground. These [...]
A gamma ray photon has a discreet energy that is characteristic of its source isotope. By precisely measuring the energy of gamma rays we can determine their source. Potassium-40, uranium-238 and thorium-232 are of primordial origin and are the only natural radioisotopes suitable for gamma ray spectrometry. This module describes the sources of gamma radiation and properties of their spectra, discuss several aspects of detectors, [...]
Radiometric Surveying is commonly used in mineral exploration for geologic mapping, uranium detection and delineation of various intrusives. The objective to conducting radiometric surveys via airborne spectrometer is to determine and map natural radioactive emanations, called gamma rays, from rocks and soils. All detectable gamma radiation from earth materials come from the natural decay products of only three elements at the surface ground. They are uranium [...]
The objective to conducting radiometric surveys is to determine and map natural radioactive emanations, called gamma rays, from rocks and soils. All detectable gamma radiation from earth materials come from the natural decay products of only three elements at the surface ground; uranium (U), thorium (Th), and potassium (K). Gamma ray data are inherently noisy due to the statistical nature of radioactive decay. However, the [...]
The module starts with ratios. Looking at the ratios of radioelements is a useful tool. Many of the factors that affect radioelement concentration are present in all windows, such as soil moisture, vegetation and topography. By taking the ratio of two different radioelements these factors essentially cancel out, leaving a more robust geological signal. Next, the discussion takes you to ternary radioelement maps. After that [...]