18366 Redmond-Fall City Road
Redmond, Washington 98052

Glossary of Geophysical Terms

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L
M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | WXYZ

E

Effective porosity

The amount of interconnected pore space through which fluids can pass. Effective porosity is usually less than total porosity because some dead-end pores may be occupied by static fluid.

Elastic moduli (elastic constants)

Elastic moduli specify the stress- strain properties of isotropic materials in which stress is proportional to strain. They include bulk and shear moduli.

Electric field

A vector field describing the force on a unit electrical charge [newtons/coulomb = volts/meter].

Electrical logs

Provide information on porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and fluid content of formations drilled in fluid-filled boreholes. This record is based on the dielectric properties (e.g., electrical resistivity) of the aquifer materials measured by geophysical devices lowered down boreholes or wells.

Electrode

A piece of metallic material (typically stainless steel) acting as an electric contact with a non-metal substance.

Electromagnetic-casing inspection log

The effects of eddy currents on a magnetic field are used to provide a record of the thickness of the casing wall.

Electromagnetic method

A method which measures magnetic and/or electric fields associated with subsurface currents.

Electron volt

The energy acquired by an electron passing through a potential difference of one volt (eV); used for measuring the energy of nuclear radiation and particles, usually expressed as million electron volts (MeV).

Equipotential map

A plot in which points of equal hydraulic head are connected.

NorthWest Geophysics
18366 Redmond-Fall City Road
Redmond, Washington 98052

info@northwestgeophysics.com
425.306.0174