LIAG / Institute / Departments / Rock Physics & Borehole Geophysics 

Rock Physics & Borehole Geophysics

This department does research on the physical properties of solid and unconsolidated rocks. Via scale-independent measurements, it is able to visualise a wide spectrum of physical parameters (e.g. complex electrical conductivity, hydraulic transmissivity, porosity, density, magnetic susceptibility, etc.) realised using hand samples and core samples from rocks investigated in the laboratory, as well as from in situ logging in wells.

Department responsibilities

Assessing the physical properties of rocks plays an outstanding role in most applied questions concerning the dynamics, utilisation, protection and sustainable exploitation of underground formations. This is particularly important when forecasts can be elaborated and quantified by numerical modelling and simulations. Current examples of relevance to society are the influence of a rise in sea level on drinking water supplies, assessing the risks in sinkhole regions, and the sustainable use of geothermal locations.

The geophysical laboratories and the equipment for logging wells are unique in Germany in the range of physical rock parameters which can be measured, and the associated expertise. It therefore represents an outstanding unique selling point. An improved understanding of basic petrophysical properties (e.g. transport and storage capacities) is often only possible by combining the interpretation of a range of physical parameters.

S5 research fields

Current projects

Current Publications

  • Benchmark study using a multi-scale, multi-methodological approach for the petrophysical characterization of reservoir sandstones, Solid Earth, 12, 665-689.
    2021, HARUZI, P., KATSMAN, R., HALISCH, M., WALDMAN, N. & SPIRO, B.
  • Environmental reconstruction potentials of Loess-Paleosol-Sequences in Kashmir through high-resolution proxy data, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 601, 111100, doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.111100.
    2022, Mir, J.A., Dar, R.A., Vinnepand, M., Rolf, C., Laag, C., Zeeden, C.

  • An astronomical age-depth model and reconstruction of moisture availability in the sediments of Lake Chalco, central Mexico, using borehole logging data, Quaternary Science Reviews, 294, 107739.
    2022, SARDAR ABADI, M., ZEEDEN, C., ULFERS, A. & WONIK, T.

  • Borehole logging and seismic data from Lake Ohrid (North Macedonia/Albania) as a basis for age-depth modelling over the last one million years, Quaternary Science Reviews, 276, 107295.
    2022, ULFERS, A., ZEEDEN, C., WAGNER, B., KRASTEL, S., BUNESS, H. & WONIK. T.

  • Cyclostratigraphy of the Lower Aalenian Opalinuston Formation in the Swabian Alb deduced from downhole logging data, ZDGG, DOI: 10.1127/zdgg/2023/0373.
    2023, LEU, K., ZEEDEN, C., MANN, T., ERBACHER, J., BORNEMANN, A. & WONIK, T.

Head of department

Dr. Thomas Wonik
+49 511 643-3517

Staff

Technical infrastructure

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