What is ground-penetrating radar primarily useful for determining?

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is primarily useful for determining the locations of buried objects due to its ability to send high-frequency electromagnetic waves into the ground. When these waves encounter different materials or interfaces within the subsurface, they reflect back to the surface, where they can be detected and analyzed. This technology is particularly effective in identifying features such as buried utilities, archaeological artifacts, and geological structures.

While GPR can provide some information about groundwater and bedrock, its efficiency diminishes with increasing depth, especially beyond 30 feet or in complex geological formations. Therefore, its prime applications lie in detecting and mapping objects that are relatively close to the ground surface, making it a valuable tool in various fields, including environmental studies, construction, and archaeology.