Derecke Palmer

Derecke Palmer is a leading international authority on near surface seismic refraction methods.  He is the originator of the generalized reciprocal method (GRM) for which he has received awards from Australian and international exploration geophysics societies, and the refraction convolution section (RCS).

His current research interests are largely focussed on the processing of full waveform seismic refraction data with Seismic Unix, in order to generate detailed compressional and shear wave models of the near surface.  These methods can be applied to statics corrections for seismic reflection data, especially where the weathering and sub-weathering are complex and where low signal-to-noise ratios occur, such as sand dunes, windy environments or near infrastructure.  Other applications include the extraction of detailed traveltime and amplitude attributes, in order to facilitate more comprehensive characterization of the near-surface for geotechnical, exploration and natural resource management, and to generate detailed starting models for traveltime and full waveform inversion. 

publications
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Journal articles
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Palmer D, 2019, 'Can full waveform refraction imaging overcome the century-long impasse at the first breaks?', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2019, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/22020586.2019.12072942
2019
Palmer D, 2019, 'Inverting the head wave coefficient with multi-fold near-surface seismic refraction data', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2019, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/22020586.2019.12072941
2019
Palmer D, 2019, 'Computing the head wave coefficient with multi-fold near-surface seismic refraction data', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2019, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/22020586.2019.12072940
2019
Palmer D, 2015, 'Is accuracy more important than precision in near-surface refraction seismology?', Near Surface Geophysics, vol. 13, pp. 1 - 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.3997/1873-0604.2014031
2015
Palmer D, 2015, 'Does diving wave tomography improve discovery in near surface refraction tomography?', FastTimes, vol. 20, pp. 15 - 32, http://www.eegs.org/
2015
Palmer D, 2015, 'Is It Time To Modernize Near-Surface Refraction Seismology With Full Waveform Methods?', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2015, pp. 1 - 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2015ab035
2015
Palmer D, 2013, 'Validating vertical velocity gradients in near-surface refraction seismology', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2013, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2013ab307
2013
Palmer D, 2013, 'Validating vertical velocity gradients in near-surface refraction seismology', 26th Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems 2013, SAGEEP 2013, pp. 425 - 432, http://dx.doi.org/10.4133/sageep2013-149.1
2013
Palmer D, 2012, 'Uncertainty in Near-Surface Refraction Inversion', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2012, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2012ab410
2012
Palmer D, 2011, 'Response to comments by Robert J. Whiteley on: Palmer, D., 2010. Is visual interactive ray trace an efficacious strategy for refraction inversion? Exploration Geophysics, 41, 260-267', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 42, pp. 218 - 226, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG11029
2011
Palmer D, 2010, 'Non-uniqueness with refraction inversion – a syncline model study', Geophysical Prospecting, vol. 58, pp. 203 - 218, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2009.00818.x
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Non-uniqueness with refraction inversion – the Mt Bulga shear zone', Geophysical Prospecting, vol. 58, pp. 561 - 575
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Is visual interactive ray trace an efficacious strategy for refraction inversion?', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 41, pp. 260 - 267, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG09028
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Non-Uniqueness with Refraction Inversion – The Mt Bulga Shear Zone', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2010, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1081/22020586.2010.12041863
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Are refraction attributes more useful than refraction tomography?', First Break, vol. 28, pp. 43 - 52
2010
Palmer D, 2009, 'Exploiting lateral resolution of near-surface seismic refraction methods', Journal of Earth Science, vol. 20, pp. 526 - 545, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12583-009-0044-x
2009
Palmer D, 2009, 'Integrating long and short wavelength time and amplitude statics', First Break, vol. 27, pp. 57 - 65
2009
Palmer D, 2009, 'Maximising the lateral resolution of near-surface seismic refraction methods', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 40, pp. 85 - 98, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG08119
2009
Palmer D; Shadlow J, 2008, 'Integrating long- and short-wavelength statics with the generalized reciprocal method and the refraction convolution section', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 39, pp. 139 - 147, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG08019
2008
Palmer D, 2008, 'Is it time to re-engineer geotechnical seismic refraction methods?', First Break, vol. 26, pp. 69 - 77
2008
Palmer D, 2007, 'Detailed Seismic Refraction Surveys at Mt Bulga', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2007, pp. 1 - 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2007ab107
2007
Palmer D, 2007, 'Detailed Refraction Statics with the GRM & RCS', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2007, pp. 1 - 6, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2007ab108
2007
Palmer D, 2006, 'Refraction traveltime and amplitude corrections for very near-surface inhomogeneities', Geophysical Prospecting, vol. 54, pp. 589 - 604, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2006.00567.x
2006
Palmer D, 2006, 'Integrating amplitudes and traveltimes with high resolution refraction methods', 19th Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, SAGEEP 2006: Geophysical Applications for Environmental and Engineering Hazzards - Advances and Constraints, vol. 2, pp. 1222 - 1240, http://dx.doi.org/10.4133/1.2923581
2006
Palmer D; Nikrouz R; Spyrou A, 2005, 'Statics corrections for shallow seismic refraction data', BUTSURI-TANSA(Geophysical Exploration), vol. 58, pp. 7 - 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.3124/segj.58.7
2005
Palmer D; Jones L, 2005, 'A simple approach to refraction statics with the Generalized Reciprocal Method and the Refraction Convolution Section', BUTSURI-TANSA(Geophysical Exploration), vol. 58, pp. 18 - 25, http://dx.doi.org/10.3124/segj.58.18
2005
Palmer D; Jones L, 2005, 'A simple approach to refraction statics with the Generalized Reciprocal Method and the Refraction Convolution Section', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 36, pp. 18 - 25, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG05018
2005
Palmer D; Nikrouz R; Spyrou A, 2005, 'Statics corrections for shallow seismic refraction data', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 36, pp. 7 - 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG05007
2005
Palmer D, 2003, 'Application of Amplitudes in Shallow Seismic Refraction Inversion', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2003, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2003ab123
2003
Palmer D; Jones L, 2003, 'Detailed Refraction Statics with the GRM and the RCS', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2003, pp. 1 - 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2003ab124
2003
Palmer D, 2003, 'A 3D 3C Shallow Seismic Refraction Survey Across a Shear Zone at Bungendore', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2003, pp. 1 - 1, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2003ab125
2003
Palmer D, 2001, 'Shallow refraction seismology for the new millennium', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2001, pp. 1 - 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2001ab102
2001
Palmer D, 2001, 'Imaging refractors with the convolution section', Geophysics, vol. 66, pp. 1582 - 1589, http://dx.doi.org/10.1190/1.1487103
2001
Palmer D, 2001, 'Resolving refractor ambiguities with amplitudes', Geophysics, vol. 66, pp. 1590 - 1593, http://dx.doi.org/10.1190/1.1487104
2001
Palmer D, 2001, 'A simple approach to 3D shallow refraction seismology', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2001, pp. 1 - 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2001ab104
2001
Palmer D, 2001, 'Measurement of rock fabric in shallow refraction seismology', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 32, pp. 307 - 314, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG01307
2001
Palmer D, 2001, 'Amplitude “statics” in shallow refraction seismology', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2001, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2001ab103
2001
Palmer D, 2001, 'Measurement of Rock Fabric in Shallow Refraction Seismology', ASEG Extended Abstracts, vol. 2001, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aseg2001ab101
2001
Palmer D, 2001, 'A new direction for shallow refraction seismology: integrating amplitudes and traveltimes with the refraction convolution section', Geophysical Prospecting, vol. 49, pp. 657 - 673, http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2478.2001.00293.x
2001
Palmer D; Wood W, 2000, 'The application of mise-a-la-masse and resistivity surveys to the detection of pollution from leaking sewers', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 31, pp. 515 - 520, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG00515
2000
Palmer D, 2000, 'Can new acquisition methods improve signal-to-noise ratios with seismic refraction techniques?', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 31, pp. 275 - 300, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG00275
2000
Palmer D, 2000, 'The measurement of weak anisotropy with the generalized reciprocal method', Geophysics, vol. 65, pp. 1583 - 1591, http://dx.doi.org/10.1190/1.1444846
2000
Palmer D; Goleby B; Drummond B, 2000, 'The effects of spatial sampling on refraction statics', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 31, pp. 270 - 274, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG00270
2000
Palmer D, 2000, 'Can amplitudes resolve ambiguities in refraction inversion?', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 31, pp. 304 - 309, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG00304
2000
Xie X; Macnae JC; Palmer D, 1997, 'Rapid automated determination of shallow velocity-depth structure using first breaks and the generalised reciprocal method', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 28, pp. 170 - 177, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG997170
1997
Palmer D, 1995, 'Can linear inversion achieve detailed refraction statics?', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 26, pp. 506 - 511, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG995506
1995
PALMER D, 1992, 'REPLY TO COMMENT BY R. J. WHITELEY1', Geophysical Prospecting, vol. 40, pp. 933 - 935, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.1992.tb00561.x
1992
PALMER D, 1991, 'THE RESOLUTION OF NARROW LOW-VELOCITY ZONES WITH THE GENERALIZED RECIPROCAL METHOD1', Geophysical Prospecting, vol. 39, pp. 1031 - 1060, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.1991.tb00358.x
1991
Whiteley RJ; Palmer D; Greenhalgh S; King D; Emerson D, 1981, 'Determination of velocity-depth distributions by inversion of refraction time-distance data: Discussion', Exploration Geophysics, vol. 12, pp. 52 - 54, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG981052
1981
Conference Papers
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Palmer D, 2012, 'Uncertainty in near-surface refraction seismology', in Proceedings of the Symposium on the Application of Geophyics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, SAGEEP, Tucson, AZ, pp. 460 - 468, presented at 25th Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems 2012, SAGEEP 2012, Tucson, AZ, 25 March 2012 - 29 March 2012
2012
Palmer D, 2010, 'The computation of attributes from multi-fold seismic refraction data', in Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists Extended Abstracts, CSIRO, Sydney, presented at 21st ASEG Conference & Exhibition, Sydney
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Generating density models with seismic refraction data', in Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists Extended Abstracts, CSIRO, Sydney, presented at 21st ASEG Conference & Exhibition, Sydney
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Imaging the base of the weathering by stacking shot records', in Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists Extended Abstracts, CSIRO, Sydney, presented at 21st ASEG Conference & Exhibition, Sydney
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Non-uniqueness with refraction inversion – the Mt Bulga shear zone', in Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists Extended Abstracts, CSIRO, Sydney, pp. 561 - 575, presented at 21st ASEG Conference & Exhibition, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2009.00855.x
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Non-uniqueness with refraction inversion – a syncline model study', in Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists Extended Abstracts, CSIRO, Sydney, presented at 21st ASEG Conference & Exhibition, Sydney
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Detailed refractor imaging with the RCS', in Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists Extended Abstracts, CSIRO, Sydney, presented at 21st ASEG Conference & Exhibition, Sydney
2010
Palmer D, 2010, 'Is VIRT an efficacious strategy for refraction inversion?', in Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists Extended Abstracts, CSIRO, Sydney, presented at 21st ASEG Conference & Exhibition, Sydney
2010
Palmer D, 2008, 'Is it time to re-engineer geotechnical seismic refraction methods?', in Wang J; Xia JH; Chen C (eds.), NEAR-SURFACE GEOPHYSICS AND HUMAN ACTIVITY, SCIENCE PRESS BEIJING, Wuhun, PEOPLES R CHINA, pp. 29 - 41, presented at 3rd International Conference on Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, Wuhun, PEOPLES R CHINA, 15 June 2008 - 20 June 2008, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000258061000004&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
2008
Palmer D, 2008, 'Non-uniqueness in near-surface refraction inversion', in Wang J; Xia JH; Chen C (eds.), NEAR-SURFACE GEOPHYSICS AND HUMAN ACTIVITY, SCIENCE PRESS BEIJING, Wuhun, PEOPLES R CHINA, pp. 42 - 54, presented at NEAR-SURFACE GEOPHYSICS AND HUMAN ACTIVITY, Wuhun, PEOPLES R CHINA, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000258061000005&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a
2008
Palmer D, 2006, 'Will imaging supersede modeling as the new paradigm for near-surface refraction inversion?', in Proceedings of the 8th SEGJ International Symposium, Society of Exploration Geophysicists of Japan, presented at Proceedings of the 8th SEGJ International Symposium, http://dx.doi.org/10.1190/segj082006-001.92
2006
Palmer D; Jones L, 2005, 'Computing detailed refraction statics in a hard rock terrain with the GRM and the RCS', in Society of Exploration Geophysicists - 75th SEG International Exposition and Annual Meeting, SEG 2005, pp. 1037 - 1040, http://dx.doi.org/10.1190/1.2147857
2005
Lennox PG; Trzebski RC; Palmer D; Siebel W; Armstrong R, 2000, 'Using geophysics and geology to determine the upper crustal architecture in the northern part of the Eastern Lachlan Fold Belt (ELFB)', in Betts P; Wilson C; Rawling T; Venn C (eds.), Geological Society of Australia Abstracts 102, Geological Society of Australia, Sydney, NSW, pp. 298 - 298, presented at 15th Australian Geological Convention: Environmental, engineering and hydrogeology specialist group, Sydney, 07 July 2000
2000
Palmer D, 2000, 'Detailed geological mapping of bedrock using seismic refraction- new and simple processing for an old method', in McNally G; Franklin BJ (ed.), 15th Australian Geological Convention: Environmental, engineering and hydrogeology specialist group, 15th Australian Geological Convention: Environmental, engineering and hydrogeology specialist group, Sydney, pp. 376 - 376, presented at 15th Australian Geological Convention: Environmental, engineering and hydrogeology specialist group, Sydney, 07 July 2000
2000
Trzebski RC; Lennox PG; Palmer D, 1998, 'Subsurface shape of granites in the northern Lachlan Fold Belt and implications for the tectonic setting.', in Finlayson DM; Jones LEA (ed.), AGSO Record 1998/2, Australian Geological Survey Organisation, Canberra, pp. 179 - 182, presented at Mineral Systems and the Crust-Upper Mantle of Southeast Australia, Canberra, 20 April 1998 - 22 April 1998
1998
Trzebski RC; Lennox PG; Palmer D, 1998, 'Morphogenesis and Tectonic Setting of the Siluro-Devonian Granitoids in the northern Lachlan Fold Belt', in Betts P; Wilson C; Rawling T; Venn C (eds.), Geological Society of Australia Abstracts 102, Geological Society of Australia, Sydney, NSW, pp. 443 - 443, presented at 14th Australian Geological Convention, Townsville, Qld, 06 July 1998 - 10 July 1998
1998
Lennox PG; Trzebski RC; Palmer D, 1998, 'Constraints on Tectonic Modelling in the Northern Lachlan Fold Belt from Granites and Country Rock Deformation', in Reddy SM; Fitzsimons ICW; Collins AS (eds.), Geological Society of Australia Abstracts 72, Geological Society of Australia Incorporated, Kalbarri, W.A., pp. 268 - 268, presented at 14th Australian Geological Convention, Townsville, Qld, 06 July 1998 - 10 July 1998
1998
Trzebski RC; Lennox PG; Palmer D, 1997, 'Gravity modelling of granites - Implications for intrusion tectonics in the northern Lachlan Fold Belt', in Geological structures and their geophysical signatures, Geological structures and their geophysical signatures, Marysville, Vic, pp. 75 - 76, presented at Geological structures and their geophysical signatures, Marysville, Vic, 04 December 1997 - 05 December 1997
1997
Book Chapters
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Palmer D, 2010, 'Characterizing the Near Surface with Detailed Refraction Attributes', in Miller RD; Bradford JH; Holliger K (ed.), Advances in Near-surface Seismology and Ground-penetrating Radar (SEG Geophysical Developments Series No. 15), edn. Geophysical Developments Series, AGU, EEGS, Tulsa, Oklahoma, pp. 233 - 250, http://dx.doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560802259.ch14
2010
Trzebski RC; Lennox PG; Palmer D, 1999, 'Contrasts in morphogenesis and tectonic setting during contemporaneous emplacement of S- and I- type granitoids in the Eastern Lachlan Fold belt, southeastern Australia', in Understanding Granites: Integrating New and Classical Techniques, Geological Society Publishing House, London, pp. 123 - 140, http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.168.01.09
1999
Books
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Palmer D, 1997, Refraction Seismics (reissued in Seismic exploration ed K. Helbig & STrectel - CD-ROM), Original, Elsevier Science, The Netherlands
1997

Areas of Expertise
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Areas of Expertise

Geophysical exploration; seismic exploration; earthquakes