Subsurface Science

A View Toward the Future of Subsurface Characterization: CAT Scanning Groundwater Basins

[1] In this opinion paper we contend that high-resolution characterization, monitoring, and prediction are the key elements to advancing and reducing uncertainty in our understanding and prediction of subsurface processes at basin scales. First, we advocate that recently developed tomographic surveying is an effective and high-resolution approach for characterizing the field-scale subsurface. F...

EMSP Project Summaries Environmental Management Science Program Project ID Number 55264 Subsurface High Resolution Definition of Subsurface Heterogeneity for Understanding the Biodynamics of Natural Field Systems: Advancing the Ability for Scaling to Field Conditions

Conjunctive surface–subsurface modeling of overland flow

In this paper, details of a conjunctive surface–subsurface numerical model for the simulation of overland flow are presented. In this model, the complete onedimensional Saint-Venant equations for the surface flow are solved by a simple, explicit, essentially non-oscillating (ENO) scheme. The two-dimensional Richards equation in the mixed form for the subsurface flow is solved using an efficient...

Component-Based Framework for Subsurface Simulations

Simulations in the subsurface environment represent a broad range of phenomena covering an equally broad range of scales. Developing modelling capabilities that can integrate models representing different phenomena acting at different scales present formidable challenges both from the algorithmic and computer science perspective. This paper will describe the development of an integrated framewo...

Field Experiments in Robotic Subsurface Science with Long Duration Autonomy

A next challenge in planetary exploration involves probing the subsurface to understand composition, to search for volatiles like water ice, or to seek evidence of life. The Mars rover missions have scraped the surface of Mars and cored rocks to make ground breaking discoveries. Many believe that the chance of finding evidence of life is expected to increase by going deeper. Deploying a system ...

Computational engineering and science methodologies for modeling and simulation of subsurface applications

We discuss computational engineering and science (CES) methodologies and tools applicable to a variety of subsurface models and their couplings. First we overview both basic and widely recognized multiphase and multicomponent models. In the CES methodologies area we focus on accurate and robust numerical algorithms and linear and nonlinear solvers with parallel scalability. In the CES tools are...