Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) Magnetometry for Geophysical Exploration of Canadian Lakes

This project aims to develop a prototype and workflow for the efficient and effective use of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) for magnetic data acquisition in Canadian lakes (9% of Canadian territory). Specifically, the USV will be used to tow either a floating or submerged sensor system consisting of multiple magnetometers in a gradiometer configuration. The main goal is to enable magnetic mapping of lakes at unprecedented spatial resolution with applications ranging from infrastructure localization, archaeological prospection, unexploded ordnances detection to mineral exploration. This research will expand Sumac Geomatics expertise in aerial mapping and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle magnetometry to address new regions of interest in Canadian lakes. It complements bathymetric mapping and surveying and advances the field of marine surveying using state-of-the-art equipment and data processing strategies.

Faculty Supervisor:

Georgia Fotopoulos

Student:

Mitchell Wootton

Partner:

Sumac Geomatics Incorporated

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Program: