Since X-ray vision still isn’t a thing, people who want to know what is located beneath the ground’s surface need to resort to other tactics. For many, the next best thing is underground scanning using ground penetrating radar (GPR).
GPR is a non-destructive technique that can detect unseen objects and geological features using electromagnetic waves. The waves travel through the ground, and the way in which they bounce back can tell the GPR technician where buried items or unseen features are located. A highly trained and experienced technician will typically be able to determine what is located beyond the surface, as well as how deeply it is buried.
Why is this technology necessary? Well, for many professions, it is very helpful, if not absolutely vital, to their work. Here are a few of them:
Construction Workers
For construction workers who value their safety, or who want to do their job as efficiently as possible, knowing exactly what they are getting into prior to excavating on a property is key! Previously developed properties often contained buried utility lines, as well as things like buried storage tanks, wells, septic systems, and more. Hitting any of these items could cause damage to equipment, as well as injury to the person doing the excavating. It can also bring about delays to the project. Underground scanning using GPR prior to the start of the project can help construction workers avoid this.
Archaeologists
Archaeologists are often operating on tight budgets, making it necessary for them to focus their efforts. Underground scanning completed with GPR can show archaeologists where artifacts might be located, so they can dig in the areas most likely to produce findings. It can also help them avoid damaging valuable artifacts by telling them how deeply to dig.
Geologists
Ground penetrating radar can be very useful to geologists who need to know how deep different layers of soil, bedrock, and other formations go. A GPR technician can either scan a large area, or sample areas can be scanned to give geologists a good idea of the make-up of the area.
Law Enforcement Officers
GPR can be helpful in law enforcement and forensic investigations by helping officers locate unmarked graves, buried evidence, or even evidence stashed behind walls in a non-invasive manner. In a profession where not tampering with evidence is vital, GPR can allow law enforcement to safely recover evidence so it can then be used in trials.
Who to Contact for Underground Scanning?
To find the best underground scanning company in your area, look for one with highly trained technicians on staff. You may also want to consider working with a company that has other underground scanning tools at their disposal, in addition to GPR. When needed, these tools can be used to give you a more complete picture of what is located beyond the ground’s surface.
