Description
Plan and conduct geophysical prospecting to locate metallic ore, minerals, oil, gas, geothermal resources, or carbon-storage sites. Operate, calibrate, and maintain seismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical/EM, and GPR instruments; acquire and QC field data; compile logs, maps, and cross-sections; and integrate results with cores, cuttings, and well logs to guide exploration and drilling.
- • Process and analyze geophysical data to determine subsurface properties and targets.
- • Collect field measurements and ground-truth samples to support interpretations.
- • Compile, log, and QA/QC survey and operational data for review.
- • Prepare notes, sketches, anomaly maps, and cross-sections.
- • Participate in and help lead geophysical prospecting surveys and exploratory programs.
- • Prepare or review technical reports summarizing methods, results, and recommendations.
- • Adjust, calibrate, or repair geophysical instruments, sensors, and sources.
- • Study prior reports, maps, and datasets to plan prospecting programs.
- • Research public geoscience databases and coordinate with landowners or agencies to obtain information and access.
- • Plot and integrate data from aerial or satellite imagery, well logs, and section descriptions.
- • Organize and maintain geophysical records, metadata, and data libraries.
- • Operate seismic sources and receivers, magnetometers, gravimeters, EM/resistivity meters, and GPR to obtain subsurface data.
- • Plan and direct field crews and contractors operating survey equipment.
- • Set up or oversee the setup and positioning of instruments, stations, and survey lines.
- • Record and monitor instrument readings and field conditions for oil, gas, or mineral prospecting.
- • Document sites with photographs, GPS tracks, and field logs.
- • Measure geophysical properties indicative of resources using appropriate instruments.
- • Assist in evaluating and ranking potential mining or drilling locations.
- • Assess and document potential environmental or cultural impacts of survey and exploration activities.
- • Correlate geophysical results with cores, cuttings, and well logs to refine interpretations.
- • Support site selection and supervise geophysical aspects during drilling and well logging.
- • Inspect and service cables, power supplies, vehicles, and survey hardware to ensure reliability.
- • Collaborate with geologists, drillers, and reservoir or mining engineers to refine targets.
- • Apply advanced methods, such as 3D seismic and improved imaging or inversion techniques, to locate untapped resources.
- • Collect and analyze data on reservoirs and caprock suitability for carbon sequestration.
- • Acquire geophysical data at geothermal prospects to assess resource potential.
- • Compile geophysical and geotechnical data to assess subsurface conditions for environmental or siting studies, including landfills.
- • Conduct geophysical site surveys for wind and solar installations to evaluate ground conditions and hazards.
- • Process, visualize, and interpret seismic datasets using specialized software.
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Energy & Natural Resources
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
