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Geophysics is about physics of the earth, its physical property variations and their response to induced perturbation giving a comprehensive insight into sub-surface hydrogeological conditions. I have rarely come across such a masterly treatment of the subject, so comprehensive, and penned in such a lucid language and student friendly style as in the book under review. The author P.C. Chandra, an eminent hydro-geophysicist, formerly Regional Director of Central Ground Water Board, has spent a major part of his career in the hard rock terrains of peninsular states and eastern India, namely the basement complex and Deccan traps. He has distilled his knowledge and experience gained in his more than three decades of field surveys in the pages of this book and enriched it with his priceless case studies. There are very few professionals in the country like Chandra who after superannuation from government service return to the academia prompted by sheer love of science and an urge to transmit the acquired knowledge to the young scientists, and ignite their inquisitive minds.

Almost all aspects of hard rock hydro-geophysics from the perspectives of this subcontinent have been succinctly dealt with in the book. The author has also not forgotten to add a brief section on future scope of research in this field. Neat illustrations, valuable data tables, reference lists with each chapter for future study and error free quality printing mark the book as a ‘must read’ Manual for all, – graduate and post-graduate students, research scholars, teachers, and practicing groundwater geologists and geophysicists alike. I have no doubt that it will be a treasured keep in the Reference Libraries of Universities and Institutes teaching and practicing hydrogeology and geophysics. Truly the book is a masterpiece, a stellar contribution of P.C. Chandra to geoscience education. It is a tribute to his four decade long dedicated pursuit of geophysics.

Subhajyoti Das, Geological Society of India vol. 88 (August 2016)

"This work is one of several recently published textbooks on the important topic of geophysics for groundwater studies. As the title states, this particular text focuses almost exclusively on hard rock aquifers, which include the weathered zone, and mostly excludes soft rock terrains typified by carbonates and sulfates. Surface geophysical methods emphasized in this textbook include individual chapters that address the magnetic, resistivity, self-potential, mise-a-la-masse, and electromagnetic techniques. Borehole geophysical methods are relegated to one chapter that covers typical methods, such as spontaneous potential, gamma, caliper, and neutron techniques. An important aspect of the textbook is the discussion on planning geophysical investigations; the reviewer believes this should have further emphasized the importance of geological studies prior to initiating a geophysical investigation (to better target the geophysical investigation and the integration of a geophysical survey) because application of a single technique is rarely adequate. The limited use of mathematics, the basic discussion of geophysical methods, and the very brief case history discussions make for a reasonably good introductory text on the importance of geophysical investigations for groundwater investigations in hard rock terrains.

Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals"

M. S. Field, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 'Choice', January 2017 issue

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Geophysics is about physics of the earth, its physical property variations and their response to induced perturbation giving a comprehensive insight into sub-surface hydrogeological conditions. I have rarely come across such a masterly treatment of the subject, so comprehensive, and penned in such a lucid language and student friendly style as in the book under review. The author P.C. Chandra, an eminent hydro-geophysicist, formerly Regional Director of Central Ground Water Board, has spent a major part of his career in the hard rock terrains of peninsular states and eastern India, namely the basement complex and Deccan traps. He has distilled his knowledge and experience gained in his more than three decades of field surveys in the pages of this book and enriched it with his priceless case studies. There are very few professionals in the country like Chandra who after superannuation from government service return to the academia prompted by sheer love of science and an urge to transmit the acquired knowledge to the young scientists, and ignite their inquisitive minds.

Almost all aspects of hard rock hydro-geophysics from the perspectives of this subcontinent have been succinctly dealt with in the book. The author has also not forgotten to add a brief section on future scope of research in this field. Neat illustrations, valuable data tables, reference lists with each chapter for future study and error free quality printing mark the book as a ‘must read’ Manual for all, – graduate and post-graduate students, research scholars, teachers, and practicing groundwater geologists and geophysicists alike. I have no doubt that it will be a treasured keep in the Reference Libraries of Universities and Institutes teaching and practicing hydrogeology and geophysics. Truly the book is a masterpiece, a stellar contribution of P.C. Chandra to geoscience education. It is a tribute to his four decade long dedicated pursuit of geophysics.

Subhajyoti Das, Geological Society of India vol. 88 (August 2016)

"This work is one of several recently published textbooks on the important topic of geophysics for groundwater studies. As the title states, this particular text focuses almost exclusively on hard rock aquifers, which include the weathered zone, and mostly excludes soft rock terrains typified by carbonates and sulfates. Surface geophysical methods emphasized in this textbook include individual chapters that address the magnetic, resistivity, self-potential, mise-a-la-masse, and electromagnetic techniques. Borehole geophysical methods are relegated to one chapter that covers typical methods, such as spontaneous potential, gamma, caliper, and neutron techniques. An important aspect of the textbook is the discussion on planning geophysical investigations; the reviewer believes this should have further emphasized the importance of geological studies prior to initiating a geophysical investigation (to better target the geophysical investigation and the integration of a geophysical survey) because application of a single technique is rarely adequate. The limited use of mathematics, the basic discussion of geophysical methods, and the very brief case history discussions make for a reasonably good introductory text on the importance of geophysical investigations for groundwater investigations in hard rock terrains.

Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals"

M. S. Field, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 'Choice', January 2017 issue

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