Borehole radar system analysis in stratified geological systems

The quantitative system analysis of an operational ground penetrating borehole radar deployed in a stratified geological system is’ presented. A novel frequency domain procedure, based on the theory of electromagnetic radiation and propagation in stratified media, is proposed by which the in situ radar system can he characterized. Results of the application of this procedure to an operational radar deployed in the South African Bushveld Igneous Complex will be presented. It will be shown, inter alia, that an important target reef, together with its marker horizons, can be distinguished from the surrounding strata with good resolution from boreholes that run semi-parallel to the reef at distances beyond 30 m. Finally an algorithm will be presented by which the transfer function of the in situ radar system is used to increase the range resolution.