THE INTERPRETATION OF GEOPHYSICAL DATA

Geophysical data result from measurements of physical properties. The geophysicist postulates certain possible physical causes of the observed effects. The geologist reasons from observed geologic effects to geologic causes. The difficulties confronting the interpretation of physical effects as reflected in geophysical data in terms of geologic causes are pointed out. The author takes the position that geophysical data must be worked up independently. A competent geophysicist‐geologist may combine geophysical and geologic information in the preparation of a report which will then, and only when this procedure is followed, include all present knowledge of the area under investigation. The requirement that geophysical data be immediately translatable into geologic language and furnish material for drawing geologic contour maps is shown to be incompatible with the nature of geophysical data. Attention is drawn to the changing geophysical scene and to the tendency to use geophysical methods after they have ceased to be adequate for the solution of prospecting problems. It is suggested that geology can aid geophysics principally through library reconnaissance and advance surface mapping. Geophysics has become a serious competitor of geology in the search for oil, and the geophysic‐geological ecotone has advanced steadily into geologic territory.