544-0095/06 – Physical Geodesy and Geophysics (FGG)

Gurantor departmentDepartment of Geodesy and Mine SurveyingCredits5
Subject guarantordoc. RNDr. Lubomil Pospíšil, CSc.Subject version guarantordoc. RNDr. Lubomil Pospíšil, CSc.
Study levelundergraduate or graduateRequirementCompulsory
Year1Semesterwinter
Study languageCzech
Year of introduction2020/2021Year of cancellation
Intended for the facultiesHGFIntended for study typesFollow-up Master
Instruction secured by
LoginNameTuitorTeacher giving lectures
KOS0259 doc. Ing. Jakub Kostelecký, Ph.D.
POS0188 doc. RNDr. Lubomil Pospíšil, CSc.
Extent of instruction for forms of study
Form of studyWay of compl.Extent
Full-time Credit and Examination 2+2
Part-time Credit and Examination 8+8

Subject aims expressed by acquired skills and competences

Master the content of the subject according to the annotation. To learn to apply especially gravimetric methods and selected geophysical methods in geodesy and mining surveying. To improve in the knowledge of the laws of motion and shape of the Earth, its deformations and changes. Most geophysical methods currently include applications in the form of aerial, ground, mining, drilling variants, including modifications for marine applications. However, satellite geodetic and geophysical technologies are experiencing the greatest expansion, which are becoming part of everyday practice. Their foundations are part of Physical Geodesy. Each of the methods differs in its application by the used mathematical solution, global data sources, instrumentation, methodology of approach to solving the relevant problem, and in terms of interpretation.

Teaching methods

Lectures
Tutorials

Summary

This course covers the study of the Earth’s physical fields, particularly the gravitational field and its effect on geodetic quantities. It also discusses certain geophysical methods and their applications in engineering geodesy and mining surveying. The analysis of the Earth’s physical fields, aimed at addressing issues related to its shape and structure (the Earth’s internal structure—particularly the structure of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle, etc.), is an integral part of the integration of these two methods. The significance of both methods lies in their application and the ability to address issues in the fields of general, structural, and mineral deposit geology (searching for mineral deposits; locating faults, etc.), as well as addressing issues in the fields of engineering geology, environmental geology, hydrogeology, and geodynamics, among others. New satellite-based geophysical and geodetic methods also enable global applications and forecasting of mineral resource potential, risks, and hazards. Taking into account the physical principles and nature of the fields we measure and analyze, the following geophysical methods are included in the course: - gravimetry (gravitational field), - geomagnetism (Earth’s geomagnetic field), - geoelectric methods (both natural and artificially induced geoelectric fields), - seismic surveying and seismology (wave field), - radionuclide methods (radioactive field), - geothermics (thermal field). Expertise: Students will gain knowledge of the Earth’s physical fields, their characteristics, and their influence on geodetic measurements and quantities. They will become familiar with the principles of gravimetry, geomagnetism, geoelectric methods, seismic surveying and seismology, radionuclide methods, and geothermics, as well as the possibilities for their application in the study of the Earth’s structure and evolution. Professional Skills: Students will be able to navigate basic geophysical methods, select an appropriate method based on the nature of the task at hand, and interpret the results in the context of geodetic, geological, and engineering problems. They are able to apply the basic principles of physical geodesy and geophysics when solving problems in engineering geodesy and mining surveying. General Competence: The student is able to independently assess the applicability of physical and geophysical methods in solving professional problems, critically interpret their results, and integrate knowledge of physical geodesy and geophysics with issues in geology, geodynamics, mineral exploration, hydrogeology, and the environment.

Compulsory literature:

POSPÍŠIL, Lubomil. Geofyzika: fyzikální geodézie a geofyzika: učební texty pro geology a geodety. Ostrava: VŠB – Technická univerzita Ostrava, Fakulta hornicko-geologická, 2020. ŠPRLÁK, Michal. Fyzikální geodézie. Plzeň: Západočeská univerzita v Plzni, Fakulta aplikovaných věd, 2026. 189 s. ISBN 978-80-261-1355-3. BURŠA, Milan. Geopotenciál. Díl I: Teoretické základy a modely. Praha: Ministerstvo obrany České republiky, 2004. 208 s. ISBN 80-7278-224-X. REYNOLDS, John Mark. An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics. 2nd ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. 696 p. ISBN 978-0-471-48536-0.

Recommended literature:

BLÁHA, Pavel. Geofyzika pro podzemní stavitelství. Brno: GEOtest, 2024. ISBN 978-80-11-04705-4. ZEMAN, Antonín. Fyzikální geodezie. 3. vyd. Praha: České vysoké učení technické v Praze, 2010. 188 s. ISBN 978-80-01-04599-2. POSPÍŠIL, Lubomil a Antonín ŠUTORA. Praktická geofyzika: Gravimetrie. Brno: Akademické nakladatelství CERM, 2002. HOFMANN-WELLENHOF, Bernhard a Helmut MORITZ. Physical Geodesy. 2nd, corrected ed. Wien: Springer, 2006. 403 p. ISBN 978-3-211-33544-4.

Additional study materials

Way of continuous check of knowledge in the course of semester

Průběžná kontrola zpracovávaných úkolů ve cvičení. Písemná a ústní zkouška.

E-learning

Other requirements

Follow-up tasks processed in the exercise.

Prerequisities

Subject has no prerequisities.

Co-requisities

Subject has no co-requisities.

Subject syllabus:

1. Gravitational potential theory. Spherical harmonic functions and Legendre functions. 2. Earth's gravitational field. Gravitational potential. Level surfaces of gravity potential. 3. Theory of heights. Stokes parameters and their determination. 4. Earth's normal gravitational field. Measurement of basic gravity field parameters. 5. Tidal phenomena, local and regional geodynamics. Earth's magnetic field - models. 6. Practical applications of physical geodesy methods. 7. Position of geophysics in geodetic disciplines and mining. 8. Earth's gravitational field. Weight measurements and their processing. Anomalous gravity field. 9. Earth's wave field. Seismology and seismic methods and their use. 10. Earth's magnetic field. Magnetic measurements in geodesy and mine surveying. 11. Earth's electric field. Geoelectrical methods (resistivity, SP, GPR, MT) and their use. 12. Radiometry and radionuclide methods. Radon risk. 13. Earth's thermal field. Thermal measurements and their use in geotechnics and mining.

Conditions for subject completion

Part-time form (validity from: 2021/2022 Winter semester)
Task nameType of taskMax. number of points
(act. for subtasks)
Min. number of pointsMax. počet pokusů
Credit and Examination Credit and Examination 100 (100) 51
        Credit Credit 33  17
        Examination Examination 67  34 3
Mandatory attendence participation: According to teacher's instructions

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Conditions for subject completion and attendance at the exercises within ISP:

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Occurrence in study plans

Academic yearProgrammeBranch/spec.Spec.ZaměřeníFormStudy language Tut. centreYearWSType of duty
2026/2027 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2026/2027 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2026/2027 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2026/2027 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2025/2026 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2025/2026 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2025/2026 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2025/2026 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2024/2025 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2024/2025 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2024/2025 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2024/2025 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2023/2024 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2023/2024 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2023/2024 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2023/2024 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2022/2023 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2022/2023 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2022/2023 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2022/2023 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2021/2022 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2021/2022 (N0724A290010) Mining Surveying P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2021/2022 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV P Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan
2021/2022 (N0532A330037) Engineering Geodesy GEV K Czech Ostrava 1 Compulsory study plan

Occurrence in special blocks

Block nameAcademic yearForm of studyStudy language YearWSType of blockBlock owner

Assessment of instruction



2025/2026 Winter
2024/2025 Winter
2023/2024 Winter
2022/2023 Winter
2021/2022 Winter