Episode 295: Why Geophysicists Are Paying More Attention to Groundwater
“The concept of mapping the aquifer from the sky, that’s gigantic. It could change how aquifers are managed around the world.”
Seogi Kang and Mike Wilt explain why groundwater is becoming one of the most important growth areas in applied geophysics. As drought, population growth, and water demand increase, geophysicists are being asked harder questions about where water is stored and how aquifers can be managed more sustainably. They share how airborne EM, well data, and machine learning are helping researchers see the subsurface in new ways, while also admitting that turning more data into better decisions is still a major challenge. For students and working geophysicists, this field offers both urgent problems and growing career opportunities.
Seogi Kang and Mike Wilt explain why groundwater is becoming one of the most important growth areas in applied geophysics. As drought, population growth, and water demand increase, geophysicists are being asked harder questions about where water is stored and how aquifers can be managed more sustainably. They share how airborne EM, well data, and machine learning are helping researchers see the subsurface in new ways, while also admitting that turning more data into better decisions is still a major challenge. For students and working geophysicists, this field offers both urgent problems and growing career opportunities.