HR: 11:05h
AN: NS32A-03    [Abstracts]
TI: Geophysical investigation of the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion site at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, France
AU: * Everett, M E
EM: everett@geo.tamu.edu
AF: Dept of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845 United States
AU: Pierce, C J
EM: geoman_ca@yahoo.com
AF: Dept of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845 United States
AU: Warden, R R
EM: wardenr@archone.tamu.edu
AF: Dept of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845 United States
AU: Burt, R A
EM: rburt@archone.tamu.edu
AF: Dept of Construction Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845 United States
AB: A near-surface geophysical survey at the D-Day invasion site atop the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, France was carried out using ground-penetrating radar, electromagnetic induction, and magnetic gradiometry equipment. The subsurface targets of investigation are predominantly buried concrete and steel structures and earthworks associated with the German coastal fortifications at this stronpoint of Hitler's Atlantic Wall. The targets are readily detectable embedded within the vadose zone of a weakly magnetic, electrically resistive loess soil cover. The radar and electromagnetic induction responses lend themselves to plan-view imaging of the subsurface, while the magnetics data reveal the presence of buried magnetic bodies in a more subtle fashion. Several intriguing geophysical signatures were discovered, including what may be the buried remains of a railway turntable, ordnance fragments in the bomb craters, a buried steel-reinforced concrete trench, and a linear chain of machine gun firing positins. Geophysical prospecting is shown to be a very powerful tool for historical battlefield characterization.
DE: 0925 Magnetic and electrical methods
SC: Near-Surface Geophysics [NS]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly