b'Environmental geophysics Environmental geophysicsWelcome readers to this issuesstart with a brief introduction from Niels column on geophysics applied to thefollowed by the first scene.environment. About three months agoFor those who dont know Niels, he I was contacted by Niels Christensenis Professor Emeritus in geophysics of Aarhus University fame, and one ofat the Department of Geosciences, the founders of the HydrogeophysicsUniversity of Aarhus. He works mainly Group at Aarhus. As part of a potentialwith electrical and electromagnetic book idea, Niels had put togethermethods, especially their application some reminiscences about his lifeto hydrogeophysics and other near-that he called Seven Scenessevensurface problems. His main interests are chapters in his life that shaped himinversion of AEM data, fast approximate as a geophysicist (and a person?).1D and 2D inversion procedures, Unfortunately the book did notand the derivation of attributes from Mike Hatcheventuate, so Niels looked to publishthe inversion results that can assist Associate Editor his memoirs elsewhere - and Previewinterpreters. He is a resident and for Environmental geophysicscame to mind. I really enjoyed the firstfrequent visitor of Australia, and has michael.hatch@adelaide.edu.au two scenes (all I have seen so far), andbeen collaborating with CSIRO and thought it would be great to get themGeoscience Australia. out for others to enjoy. My thanks to Niels for thinking of us! In this issue weOver to NielsPivotal moments: Seven scenes from a geophysics adventurebodies who were willing to takeScene 1: The beginning: Berkeley chances by financially supporting new1987developments under the guarantee that, in case of failure, the work would be done in which our protagonist goes to sunny in traditional ways. California and comes home with new ideas.Around the turn of the century, theIts a beautiful walk from the bus stop successes brought about by the newwhere I get off through the campus possibilities - and, again, the rightof University of California, Berkeley: people at the national administrativewell-kept green lawns and imposing and political level - inspired a politicaluniversity buildings each in its own style. decision to start a national programmeIm going to the Hearst Memorial Mining of mapping all the most important waterBuilding situated at the upper part of Niels B. Christensen Professor resources in Denmark, a programmecampus. Its not particularly big, but Emeritus Department of of unprecedented depth and scopewhen you enter through the big heavy Earth Scienceswhen compared with other countries.front doors, you arrive in an enormous Aarhus UniversityAround this time, the HydroGeophysicsentry hall that stretches from floor to nbc@geo.au.dk Group was formed at Aarhus Universityceiling through the entire building with to support and oversee the enormousimposing broad staircases spiralling Introduction mapping efforts to be conducted by thealong the outer walls; everything During the period ~1980-2000, atconsulting companies who had adopted(Ilearned later) in the most beautiful the Department of Geoscience,the new methods and approaches.Beaux-Art style.Aarhus University, near-surfaceThe programme went on for 15 years and is now more or less brought to itsAs with most of the university buildings geophysics took a great leap forwardconclusion. it is a donation, in this case from Phoebe with the development of severalApperson Hearst, widow of senator and new electromagnetic methods, newThe legacy of the national programme ismine magnate George Hearst. It is my instrumentation, novel field practices,a HydroGeophysics Group that from itsfirst day at University of California in and new inversion possibilities. Allfirst efforts has risen to become amongBerkeley. I have received a grant from the this happened through a uniquethe best and most respected researchDanish Natural Science Research Council, combination of the right people at thegroups in the world for electromagneticand four months lie ahead of me in sunny right time, an explosive developmentmethods, IP and SNMR, and a nationCalifornia!in electronics and computer capacity,that has the best possible basis for a and a perceived need for mapping andsustainable use of its water resources. On the second floor I find the geophysics monitoring groundwater resources.section and Im received by Professor The development was characterised byIt was my privilege to be a part of thisFrank Morrison. Some months earlier, a combination of research, teaching,development in its heyday, and belowI had the audacity to write and ask if practical inventiveness, and collaborationare some musings from a geophysicalI could visit his department for some with local and regional administrativeprofessional career. months. I did not know him beforehand, FEBRUARY 2022 PREVIEW 32'