I am a geophysicist who specializes in near surface problems. My skills span from civil engineering to geology to geophysics. My current focus is an improved understanding of small scale soil heterogeneities and their impact on the electrical and magnetic properties of the soil. The application of this research is to improve the detection and discrimination of unexploded ordnance (UXO), landmines and improvised explosive devices (IED). This work involves theory development, lab scale modeling, numerical modeling and field verification of results.
I have developed the Near Surface Properties Laboratory at ERDC where I measure the physical properties of earth materials. I specialize in the complex electromagnetic properties of soils as a function of frequency, density, water content, soil type, and grain size. I design and build fixtures to optimize these measurements for the specific geometry of the measurement.
I also work in most other areas of near surface geophysics such as levee characterization, aquifer location, tunnel detection, environmental contaminant locating and archaeological site characterization. I have spent many years searching for clandestine burials using geophysical methods with both ERDC and NecroSearch.
I have been using UAS platforms since 2013 to collect data that complements my near surface geophysical data. I have managed programs to deploy new UAS sensor payloads to map specific targets such as rapidly mapping UXO on recently bombed airfields.
Specialties: I have experience writing research proposals, managing projects, and writing technical reports, conference presentations and journal articles.
Ryan E. North, PhD, PgP, RPG, GISP
Principal Geophysicist, ISC Geoscience
[email protected]