Geophysical Survey

Date April 2010 - May 2010

Event ID 881209

Category Recording

Type Geophysical Survey

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/881209

ND 3135 9468 A geophysical survey was carried out across

the areas of Golden Wharf and Lyness Wharf in April–May

2010 prior to development. The work consisted of a c4ha

gradiometer survey, which aimed to identify services and

potentially unexploded ordnance and a GPR survey of a

further 1.3ha, which aimed to locate further services and

any voids.

The gradiometer survey identified a number of anomalies

thought to relate to services. Other more discrete anomalies

may be indicative of the presence of large ferrous objects,

ground disturbance or structures. A number of anomalies

were in proximity to buildings and may represent ‘ferrous

spread’ from these structures. Further ferrous noise visible

across the site reflected the material used to make up the

ground in this area, together with the subsequent uses

of the wharf and surrounding area. Some of the strong

ferrous anomalies identified could relate to the position of

ordnance. However, it is impossible to differentiate between

the response given by these and that given by other large

ferrous objects. The GPR survey showed a number of

interesting anomalies, but the data were dominated by high

amplitude responses reflecting the various materials used

and construction methods employed over different parts of

the site.

Archive: ORCA Geophysics

Funder: Orkney Islands Council