John Bradford
Professor
Center for Geophysical Investigation of the Shallow Subsurface
Department of Geosciences
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 83725
phone: 208-426-3898
fax: 208-426-3888
Listen to the podcast of my 2016 state of the SEG address
Research
The study of shallow earth systems relies on a broad group of sub-disciplines spanning a range of earth sciences and engineering. Objectives of geophysical characterization of shallow earth systems vary by application. The common goal is measuring the spatial distribution of solids and/or fluids in the subsurface. My primary research interest is centered around quantitative analysis of wave propagation based geophysical data, particularly seismic reflection and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). This includes developing an understanding of what physical properties it is possible to quantify, developing data analysis tools to make those measurements, and integrating physical property estimates in the solution of more general earth science problems. I work on applying these quantitative methodologies to a broad range of problems including detecting contaminants in shallow groundwater systems, glacier hydrology, snow characterization, sea ice imaging, permafrost dynamics, surface water hydrology, basin stratigraphy, and shallow hydrothermal systems. My research combines a rigorous computational approach with a comprehensive field study program. Combining this basic framework with the interdisciplinary nature of my work provides graduate students with a variety of opportunities. Additionally, I encourage and involve undergraduate students in many of my research projects.
Graduate Students
- Diego Domenzain Gonzalez, PhD Aspirant, “Joint inversion of full-wavefield GPR and electrical resisitivity data”
- Tate Meehan, MS Candidate, “Reflection tomography of multi-offset georadar data to estimate firn density on the Greenland Ice Sheet”
- Aida Mendieta, MS Candidate, “Fracture-induced seismic and electrical anisotropy in the deep critical zone of a mountain watershed”
- Andrew Gase, MS Candidate, “Advanced ground-penetrating radar imaging to characterize pyroclastic flows”
- Travis Nielson, MS Candidate, “Integrated seismic refraction and electrical resistivity to characterize water flow in the soil/bedrock transition zone”
- Kyle Lindsay, MS 2015, “Seismic reflection imaging to aid in groundwater management, Cotonou, Benin, West Africa”
- Esther Babcock, PhD 2014, “Targeted full-waveform inversion of reflection data for thin-layer characterization”
- Joel Brown, PhD 2011, “Using georadar to non-destructively map the in-situ hydrologic properties of snow, firn, and glacial ice”
- Emily Hinz, PhD 2011, “Defining fundamental aquifer properties and contaminant detection through geophysical imaging”
- Josh Nichols, MS 2010, “Characterization of englacal voids using radar velocity anisotropy”
- Troy Brosten, PhD 2008, “Ground-penetrating radar and thermal modeling methodologies for active layer thaw estimates beneath arctic streams”
- Scott Hess, MS, 2005, “Characterization of an active fault zone using the three-dimensional reflection seismic method”
- Jake Deeds, MS (University of Wyoming), 2002, “Amplitude variation with offset (AVO) analysis of ground penetrating radar data for detection of organic contaminants”