Ground penetrating radar application in a shallow marine Oxfordian limestone sequence located on the eastern flank of the Paris Basin, NE France

A Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey has been carried out in Upper Juras sic limestones located on the eastern flank of the Paris Basin (NE France). The potential of the investigation method is assessed for delineating geol ogically meaningful stratifications in the shallow subsurface. The fundamen tals of the GPR technique are described. Penetration depth and vertical res olution depends on the soil conditions, the characteristics of input signal and the configuration of the transmitter-receiver assembly. In the studied carbonates the penetration level is rather good and the electromagnetic si gnal reaches up to 1000 nanoseconds maximum (i.e. approximately 55 m). Seve ral depositional units are outlined on the GPR profiles. Six different lith ological units are recognised with distinct GPR reflection characteristics. The profiles illustrate the internal 3D organisation of the carbonate plat form and its geometry. They provide detailed insight into the nature of an Oxfordian reefal build-up. The high-resolution subsurface model is directly calibrated with geological field observations and it results in a predicti ve 3D depositional working model. The GPR method is a non-destructive remot e sensing technique that is cost effective. The method is considered comple mentary to other conventional high-resolution reservoir characterisation st udies. It represents a powerful investigation tool in earth science studies concerning the imaging of the structure of the shallow subsurface. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.