The Geophysical Section is equipped with instruments for conducting Resistivity including resistivity imaging, Magnetic, Electro Magnetic (EM), Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) Surveys for geological mapping, mineral exploration and engineering geological investigation. It is in the process of acquiring a Refraction Seismograph and other relevant equipment and necessary upgrading.
Resistivity surveys at Randeniya vein quartz deposit, magnesite and associated marble deposits at Wellawaya and sedimentary limestone deposit at Aruakkalu off Puttalam are few examples of main geophysical surveys conducted recently. It is also planned to conduct high resolution airborne magnetic, EM and radiometric survey with foreign technical assistance. The conducting of an integrated airborne survey would no doubt unravel valuable geo-scientific information of the country and reveal hither to unknown mineral resources. Equipment such as Envinet (16 Litre NaI crystal) car-borne gamma ray and hand held scintillometers are available for follow up investigations. With the recent acquisition of Resistivity Imaging and Ground Penetration Radar Systems, investigations of several archaeological sites were conducted.
The Geophysical Section is equipped with instruments for conducting Resistivity including resistivity imaging, Magnetic, Electro Magnetic (EM), Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) Surveys for geological mapping, mineral exploration and engineering geological investigation. It is in the process of acquiring a Refraction Seismograph and other relevant equipment and necessary upgrading. Resistivity surveys at Randeniya vein quartz deposit, magnesite and associated marble deposits at Wellawaya and sedimentary limestone deposit at Aruakkalu off Puttalam are few examples of main geophysical surveys conducted recently. It is also planned to conduct high resolution airborne magnetic, EM and radiometric survey with foreign technical assistance. The conducting of an integrated airborne survey would no doubt unravel valuable geo-scientific information of the country and reveal hither to unknown mineral resources. Equipment such as Envinet (16 Litre NaI crystal) car-borne gamma ray and hand held scintillometers are available for follow up investigations.
With the recent acquisition of Resistivity Imaging and Ground Penetration Radar Systems, investigations of several archaeological sites were conducted.
We are the pioneers in core drilling in Sri Lanka. The GSMB offers specialized services in drilling for mineral exploration, mining, engineering geological (geotechnical related works) work related to reservoirs, dams and tunnels, foundation testing etc. We assure collecting of soil and core samples with 90% recovery according to the ASTM and BS standards.
Drilling |
Method |
Maximum depth |
Auguring |
Hand auguring |
15m |
Power auguring |
30m |
|
Rotary core drilling in overburden |
Wash boring, dry block |
50m |
Diamond core drilling (Conventional, wireline, and top driven) |
HW, NX, NXM, BX, BXM, AX, AXM sizes HQ, NQ, BQ sizes |
100m 800m
|
The deepest core drill hole drilled during mid nineteen sixties into shale beds of Jurassic age at Andigama in Puttalam district was 1505 feet (≈450 m). Presently, we are capable to drill even deeper.
The following are some of the landmark events of our drilling history.
The Analytical Laboratory established by the Geological Survey Department – predecessor to the GSMB – during the mid-nineteen fifties (Link 6) pioneered in the techniques of silicate analysis in Sri Lanka. Since then we have been providing quality analytical services to the industry and scientific research ventures for over six decades.
It is now an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory (see accreditation) that provides accurate and reliable chemical analyses of rocks, minerals, ores, groundwater, surface waters, industrial effluents and other miscellaneous materials using internationally accepted techniques and standards.
Since then we have been providing quality analytical services to the industry and scientific research ventures for over six decades.
It is now an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory (see accreditation) that provides accurate and reliable chemical analyses of rocks, minerals, ores, groundwater, surface waters, industrial effluents and other miscellaneous materials using internationally accepted techniques and standards.
Basic and advanced chemical analysis in the following fields:
This laboratory has been a training facility for university undergraduates, postgraduates and scientific officers from relevant public sector establishments.
Package |
Constituent determined |
Fee (LKR. without VAT.) |
|
Silicate and Mineral Sand analysis |
SiO2, Al2O3, FeO, Fe2O3, MnO, P2O5, TiO2, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, H2O-, LOI |
For complete analysis |
12,000/= |
Water and Soil analysis |
pH, conductivity, total hardness, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, Suspended solids, colour, SiO2, Fe+2, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, K+, Cl-, SO4-2, PO4-, NO3- |
For complete analysis |
9,000/= |
Industrial minerals (dolomite, calcite, limestone) |
SiO2, Al2O3, FeO, Fe2O3, MnO, P2O5, TiO2, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, H2O-, LOI |
For complete analysis |
9,000/= |
Iron Ore |
SiO2, Al2O3, FeO, Fe2O3, MnO, P2O5, TiO2, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, H2O-, LOI |
For complete analysis |
12,000/= |
Graphite |
Carbon, Ash, Volatile, Moisture |
Carbon and Ash |
2,000/= |
Other Materials |
One constituent |
2,500/= |
The Petrology Laboratory conducts accurate quantitative mineralogical and petrographic analyses of rocks, minerals, ores and allied materials using internationally accepted techniques and standards.
Staffed by trained and experienced personnel in the use of modern petrographic techniques and instruments set up to deliver accurate results and reports punctually at competitive rates, the GSMB petrology laboratory is accepted as standard reference in the field of petrographic analysis in Sri Lanka.
A major function of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), as mandated by its Act, is to prepare and publish different types of geological maps of the country. Its Cartography Unit is one of the main supporting branches.
Twenty-one (21) maps, titled ‘SRI LANKA 1:100,000 Geology (Provisional Series)’ cover the entire land area of the country. Of these, one (1) composite map at 1:250 000 scale featuring seven (7) 1:100,000 scale maps were published under the sponsorship of the British Geological Survey (BGS) in 1994 and another fourteen (14) maps published under Australian finance and technical assistance (AusAID) in 1999. The remaining seven (7) maps were completed and published through in-house expertise. As of now, the Cartography unit has completed the following maps.
To reflect core activities and international obligations, it is proposed to rename as: SEISMIC DATA ANALYSIS CENTRE (SDAC)
Although GSMB has been involved in earthquake monitoring since the year 2000, there was no compelling reason to establish an earthquake monitoring facility on a 24/7 basis until occurrence of the 2004 disaster.
Having commenced with PALK seismic station (Fig. 2) and limited web based open monitoring facilities, two more stations, namely, MALK at Mahakandarawa in the north and HALK at Hakmana in the south (Figs. 3 and 4 respectively) have now been added.
The main function of SDAC is to provide accurate and prompt seismic activity data for relevant authorities especially of impending tsunamigenic events and to be used later for research purposes. After the 2004 tsunami disaster, the disaster management system in Sri Lanka was revised and the GSMB was mandated to perform functions related to earthquakes. Although the Mines and Minerals Act No. 33 of 1992 did not provide any provisions for the GSMB to carry out disaster management activities, when the required legal empowerment was received from the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Act, No. 66 of 2009, the SDAC was ready to conduct systematic earthquake monitoring activities and deliver accurate information promptly.
Conducting research on Sri Lanka’s active faults and its diffuse boundary demarcating two major crystalline Complexes, suggestive of an extending mid Indian ocean platelet boundary is also another ongoing activity of the SDAC.
The SDAC is not only involved in data acquiring and data processing, but also is responsible for providing accurate earthquake parameters to relevant institutions. While developing the capacity for data acquisition and data analysing, the SDAC is in the process of increasing the number of other institutes, communities, media, etc. related to disaster management for exchanging related information.
The Centre runs on a 24/7 basis. After normal office hours, it is staffed by two officers drawn from a pool of Geophysicists, Geologists and Senior Technical Officers that have been trained either locally or overseas. They are tasked to monitor any seismic that occur specially within Sri Lanka and Indian ocean region.
The seismic network consists of three broadband stations including one station from Project IDA/IRIS network and other two from GEOFON seismic network. These three seismic stations are maintained by GSMB with assistance from respective parent networks. All three stations receive data globally and share with SDAC.
Note: Blue underline denotes URL access.
The PALK seismic station located at Pallekelle, Kandy was installed as a joint project between University of California, San Diego and GSMB in 1999.
Station Code |
PALK |
Location |
Pallekelle, Kandy |
Latitude |
7.2728 N |
Longitude |
80.7022 E |
Altitude |
460 m |
Commenced on |
August 22, 2000? |
Network Affiliation |
IRIS/IDA – GSN |
Network Contact |
IDA Seismographic Network |
Instrumentation |
STS6, Trillium 120PH, Q330 |
Two GEOFON stations, MALK (Mahakanadarawa) and HALK (Hakmana) Fig. 3 were installed by GFZ under GITEWS in year 2010.
Station Code |
HALK |
MALK |
Location |
Umangala Temple, Hakmana |
Eithihaasika Gale Pansala, Mahakanadarawa |
Latitude |
6.08 N |
8.39 N |
Longitude |
80.68 E |
80.54 E |
Commenced on |
April 23, 2010 |
April 10, 2010 |
Network Affiliation |
GE |
GE |
Network Contact |
GEOFON / Section 2.4 |
|
Instrumentation |
STS-2, Q330 |
STS-2, Q330 |
The GSMB is the technical focal point in Sri Lanka to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) based in Vienna, Austria while the SDAC/EHAC has been identified as the Sri Lankan National Data Centre.
Sri Lanka’s PALK GSN station (jointly operated by GSMB and University of California, San Diego) was certified in February 2008 as an auxiliary station within their International Monitoring System and its data used for monitoring of nuclear activities.