Geophysics is the study of the Earth by quantitative physical methods. Geophysical methods can measure physical properties at the ground surface and the data used to infer the composition of the subsurface. In essence geophysics can be used to find out what's beneath the ground without digging.
The purpose of the geophysical orientation survey is to help determine the most suitable geophysical technique or techniques to use in wide scale determination of the geologic and hydrogeologic characteristics underlying the West Plains area. The study objective is to evaluate various geophysical techniques for their suitability to map the crystalline bedrock contact across the West Plains.
The West Plains is located just west of the City of Spokane and includes the City of Airway Heights, the City of Medical Lake, Fairchild Air Force Base, and the City of Cheney. The West Plains area occurs at boundary of WRIA 54 (Lower Spokane River Watershed), WRIA 56 (Hangman Creek Watershed) and WRIA 34 (Palouse River Watershed) and includes land within these 3 WRIAs.