International Journal of Geophysics
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Acceptance rate21%
Submission to final decision79 days
Acceptance to publication20 days
CiteScore3.300
Journal Citation Indicator0.260
Impact Factor-

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International Journal of Geophysics publishes research focused on all areas of theoretical, observational, applied and computational geophysics.

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International Journal of Geophysics maintains an Editorial Board of practicing researchers from around the world, to ensure manuscripts are handled by editors who are experts in the field of study.

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Research Article

Koudougou (Burkina Faso, Africa), GPS-TEC Response to Recurrent Geomagnetic Storms during Solar Cycle 24 Declining Phase

In this paper, we presented the effect of moderate geomagnetic storms on the TEC variation at the Koudougou station (Geo Lat 12° 15 N; Geo Long: -2° 20 E) in Burkina Faso (Africa) during the descending phase of solar cycle 24. For this purpose, four moderate geomagnetic storms without storm sudden commencement (SSC) or sudden impulse (SI) that occurred on May 13, 2015 (Dst: -76 nT), June 08, 2015 (Dst: -73 nT), September 11, 2015 (Dst: -80 nT), and May 08-09, 2016 (Dst: -88nT), were considered. These moderate storms were found to be associated with transients induced by fast solar winds. At the Koudougou station, TEC variation shows a positive response to the different moderate geomagnetic storms studied, with increases of order of 2-21 TECU around 1300-1500 UT except for September 11, 2015, TEC variation which shows sometimes negative responses at a few hours (mainly at night). TEC increases observed are a function of geomagnetic parameter (magnitude and polarity) variation. Storm-induced electric field and neutral winds are the main drivers of TEC changes observed during the selected geomagnetic storms. In addition, it was found that the TEC peak on storm day behaves differently compared to the days before and after the storm depending on whether Dst is positive or negative before southward inversion. Indeed, a TEC small peak relative to the days before and after the storm is observed when Dst is negative before southward inversion, and a larger peak occurs in the opposite case. The reasons for these differences are not investigated in this paper.

Research Article

Magnetotellurics (MT) and Gravity Study of a Possible Active Fault in Southern Garut, West Java, Indonesia

In recent years, dozen low-intensity earthquakes occurred in southern Garut, West Java Indonesia; two of them were reported destructive. However, those shallow earthquake clusters are hardly associated with well-known active faults in the area. Hence, we conducted 3D gravity combined with 2D magnetotellurics (MT) inversions to study the subsurface. Gravity and MT modeling confirm a basin with around 5 km depth consisting of two subbasins separated by a NE-SW trending local-high ridge. The local high coincides with the magmatic intrusion in geothermal fields and aligns with a series of volcanic bodies’ lineament observed on the surface. We interpret this structural high as a preexisting fault that serves as a magma pathway in the tectonomagmatic interaction. Shallow low-magnitude seismicity in the southern Garut area tends to occur in the resistive bodies. We interpret that heat from the cooling magmatic intrusion may decrease the effective fault-normal stress of the rocks, leading to a decrease in fault failure resistance and may initiate rupture. The resistivity structure around the initial rupture may affect whether or not the nucleation will end up as a large-magnitude earthquake. Furthermore, the unconsolidated young volcanic cover in this area could amplify ground shaking when earthquake occurs that might lead to more extensive damage.

Research Article

Laterization Process Recognition along the Northern Border of the Congo Craton by Geoelectrical and Geotechnical Data

With the properties of laterites being related to the nature of the rock from which they are derived, twenty vertical electrical surveys and twenty boreholes for geotechnical tests, distributed in two units (plutonic and green belt zones) of the Ntem complex located at the northern limit of the Congo Craton, were implemented to study the formation process of the laterites of this geological structure. The inversion of the geoelectrical data in the plutonic area resulted in three lateritic layers with resistivities of 1090 Ω·m, 1302 Ω·m, and 1122 Ω·m, with induration and leaching indices of 28.9% and 72.56%. In the green belt zone, three lateritic layers were also identified with resistivities of 1080 Ω·m, 943 Ω·m, and 1158 Ω·m, with induration and leaching indices of 28.8% and 72.55%. The similarities of the geomechanical parameters (induration and lixiviation indices) show that these soils experienced similar weathering patterns during the same geological period, confirmed by CBR values, corresponding to PF3 platforms that can be used in road works. However, the average resistivity values in the different geological units (1171.77 Ω·m and 1061.16 Ω·m in plutonic and green belt areas) reflect the observed differences in resistivity values of the bedrock alterations (3413.51 Ω·m and 1569.32 Ω·m in plutonic and green belt areas), showing that these laterites are derived from different bedrock weathering. In addition, the average permeability values obtained in the plutonic zone ( cm/s) and in the green belt zone ( cm/s) confirm this difference. The reduction in the difference between the resistivities of the laterites compared to the difference observed in the bedrock of the two units highlights the leaching process over a long geological period.

Research Article

Rock Type Effects on Radio Signal Attenuation

This research work is aimed at studying different rock types and the effect of their mineral contents on an active 434 MHz RFID card’s radio signal attenuation. This research was done at the ONKALO nuclear waste storage facility using radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment. First, the studied area and research plan, including the used system and equipment, are explained. After this, the researched areas of rock types and their effects on radio signals are presented. This work focused mainly on occupational safety, but it also investigated whether it would be possible to use RFID technology in producing mines as well, especially in the boundary layer of the ore body. This research can help the design of communication frequencies for autonomous devices.

Research Article

Coseismic Deformation Responses due to Geometrical Structure and Heterogeneity of the Accretionary Wedge: Study Case 2010 Mentawai Earthquake, West Sumatra, Indonesia

The assumption of a homogeneous elastic half-space model is widely used to model the earth’s deformation. However, the homogeneous assumption would not accurately reflect the complexity of the shallow crust. We performed a 3D coseismic deformation model using the finite element method and referred to the 2010 Mentawai earthquake. The 2010 tsunami earthquake was located at the Mentawai segment, which is a part of the accretionary wedge in the Sumatra subduction zone. This active accretionary wedge is identified as the most complicated structure on earth and lies along the Sumatra subduction zone, at which most destructive earthquakes happen in this region. We examined the impact of the accretionary wedge geometry and material properties by considering the wedge as a single different property separated from the continental plate. Various geometrical features, such as topography and wedge dimension, as well as physical properties, were simulated. Those features are then observed for their responses on the surface deformation. The topography affected the magnitude of the horizontal deformation up to 10% but only the pattern of the vertical deformation. The wedge dimension seems to have an insignificant influence on the surface deformation compared to the topography. Different physical properties of the accretionary wedge affect not only the magnitude of the horizontal deformation up to 40% but also the orientation. The direction of the lateral movement is seemingly affected by the material under the GPS station and by the source. On the other hand, the variations in the physical properties resulted in discrepancies of 0.5 meters in the vertical deformation near the source. These results indicated that regional physical property information and geometrical features are critical in estimating coseismic deformation, leading to more accurate slip inversion and earthquake and tsunami hazard prediction, particularly in regions with significant inhomogeneity.

Review Article

Controversial Issues of Hydrocarbon Field Formation and the Role of Geomagnetic Fields

This review paper presents controversial issues on the formation of hydrocarbon deposits. We look into the geological contradictions of the abiogenic and biogenic theories of petroleum origin, indicating the connection between hydrocarbon deposits and disjunctive dislocations, as well as present disputes about the geological period over which hydrocarbon deposits have been formed. We further overviewed the radical chain mechanism of hydrocarbon generation from organic matter as proposed by Prof. Nesterov. It is noted that the petroleum generation process in reservoir conditions occurs almost instantly in the presence of discrete geomagnetic fields and does not require a long geological time. This is explained by spin magnetic effects (spin catalysis, magnetic isotope properties). We briefly highlight the effect of magnetic fields on chemical reactions involving organic compounds and the use of magnetic fields to enhance oil recovery. We also present the leading causes of discrete magnetic fields in the sedimentary cover: Earth’s geomagnetic reversals, generation of ferromagnetic minerals in oil deposits, electromechanical effects of rock friction near faults, and intermixing of reservoir waters with different mineralization (spontaneous ion polarization). Based on the material reported, we conclude that the radical chain mechanism of petroleum generation processes explains some contradictions of the abiogenic and biogenic theories of petroleum origin. Elaborating this research area has excellent prospects for developing new criteria for hydrocarbon prospecting and devising innovative methods to enhance the oil recovery for shale oil production.

International Journal of Geophysics
 Journal metrics
See full report
Acceptance rate21%
Submission to final decision79 days
Acceptance to publication20 days
CiteScore3.300
Journal Citation Indicator0.260
Impact Factor-
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