Lead Staff and Qualifications

G. Van Ness Burbach, Ph.D., P.G.

Senior Geophysicist / Senior Project Manager

As a geophysicist with over 15 years of experience in applied geophysics and geology, Dr. Burbach has participated in fundamental research and regional geophysical and geological investigations. He has experience using a variety of geophysical techniques, including:

• acquisition and interpretation of seismic reflection and refraction surveys;
• potential methods, such as magnetics and gravity;
• ground-penetrating radar (GPR);
  electromagnetic methods, including both time-domain and frequency-domain EM; and
• borehole geophysics, including interpretation of gamma, sonic, density, and acoustic televiewer logs as well as vertical seismic profiles (VSPs);

Dr. Burbach has applied his knowledge of geophysics to solve a variety of environmental and engineering problems, including:

• mapping of bedrock and other geologic surfaces, delineation of fractures or fracture zones, and identification of other geologic features to aid in site characterization, fate and transport modeling, and efficient location of monitoring and remedial wells;
• delineation of landfill structures and boundaries;
• direct detection and mapping of contaminant plumes; and
• location/identification of underground storage tanks, buried drums, pipelines, and other man-made objects;

Dr. Burbach also has extensive experience in the use of geophysics for resource exploration and development and in fundamental research in diverse geological and tectonic environments, including Alaska, California, and the Gulf of Mexico, and Central America including:

• Interpretation of multi-channel seismic reflection data (both 2-D and 3-D);
• He developed a new algorithm for seismic velocity analysis using the root-squared principal, which greatly improved velocity resolution;
• He participated in the design, acquisition, processing, and interpretation of a large 3-D marine seismic reflection survey;
• He participated in seismic refraction experiments designed to test new acquisition techniques and equipment and to map the surface of alocthanous salt beneath the Gulf of Mexico. These experiments resulted in significant contributions to understanding the tectonic history of the Gulf of Mexico and to the development of the ocean-bottom seismometer as a valuable tool for marine seismic refraction studies.
• He has conducted fundamental research in earthquake seismology, global and regional tectonics, and geodynamics.

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• University of Texas at Austin - Ph.D. - Geophysics - 1985 - M.A. - Geophysics - 1982
• Hope College, Holland, MI - B.A. - Geology - 1979

Publications

Burbach, G. V., C. A. Frohlich, W. D. Pennington, and T. Matumoto: Seismicity and Tectonics of the Subducted Cocos Plate, J. Geophys. Res., 1982.

Burbach, G. V., C. A. Frohlich, and W. D. Pennington: Intermediate and Deep Seismicity and Lateral Structure of Subducted Lithosphere in the Circum-Pacific Region, Reviews of Geophysics, 1986.

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Recent Projects

Roy F. Weston - Spartanburg, South Carolina: GPR and magnetometer surveys to delineate horizontal and vertical extent of former landfill area on an industrial site and to look for buried drums.

OHM Remediation - Former Sogreen Facility (RCRA Site), Tifton, Georgia

Metcalf & Eddy - West Virginia Air National Guard Base, Charlston, West Virginia: GPR and EM-31 surveys to delineate the horizontal and vertical extent of a landfill area, to look for buried drums and evidence of contamination around a former waste disposal area, and to locate a former fire pit and look for evidence of contamination.

EQM, Inc. - Singer Furniture Site, Lenior, North Carolina: Seismic refraction and magnetometer surveys to delineate horizontal and vertical extent of landfill area and to map geologic horizons (e.g.- bedrock).

RETEC, Inc. - CII Site, Asheville, North Carolina: Seismic refraction and resistivity surveys to map geologic horizons, especially bedrock surface, to help predict DNAPL migration pathways.

RETEC, Inc. - Jacksonville, NC: EM-61 and magnetometer surveys to located suspected drum burial site.

Hydrovision, Inc. - Former Magna site, Newnan, GA and Current Magna Site, Carrolton, GA: Seismic refraction surveys to map geologic horizons, especially bedrock, in order to delineate DNAPL migration pathways.

RUST, Inc. - Various NCDOT projects, various locations in North Carolina: EM-61 and/or GPR surveys to locate possible USTs and other buried objects in existing or proposed NCDOT right-of-ways.

Trigon Engineering, Inc. - FMC Lithium Division, Bessemer City, NC.
EM-61 and Magnetometer Surveys to locate possible underground storage tanks and/or pipelines in a proposed construction

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