SEG/AGU Hydrogeophysics Workshop

SEG/AGU Hydrogeophysics Workshop Technical Program

Program Overview

Monday, 20 July

7:30–8:45 Registration and Breakfast

8:45–9:00   Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:00–10:00  Keynote — Andrew Binley, Lancaster University

Session 1

10:00–10:30    Invited Talk — Adrian Borsa, University of California at San Diego

10:30–11:30    Poster Lightning Talks

11:30–12:30    Poster Session

12:30–14:00    Lunch

Session 2

14:00–14:30    Invited Talk — Bate Bate, Zhejiang University

14:30–15:30    Poster Lightning Talks

15:30–16:30    Poster Session

16:30–17:30    Networking Reception

Tuesday, 21 July

7:30–8:50    Registration and Breakfast

8:50–9:00    Opening Remarks

9:00–10:00    Keynote — Daniella Rempe, The University of Texas at Austin

Session 3

10:00–10:30    Invited Talk — Hang Chen, University of Iowa

10:30–11:30 Poster Lightning Talks

11:30–12:30    Poster Session

12:30–14:00    Lunch

Session 4

14:00–14:30    Invited Talk — Tim Johnson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory          

14:30–15:30    Poster Lightning Talks

15:30–16:30    Poster Session

Wednesday, 22 July

7:30–8:45    Breakfast

8:45–9:00    Opening Remarks

9:00–10:00   Keynote — Dale Rucker, Certerra Subsurface-HGI

10:00–12:00 Roundtable Discussion

                          Topic 1: Hydrogeophysics in Groundwater Science, Application, Society

                          Topic 2: Hydrogeophysics in Soil and Critical Zone Sciences

12:00–13:00    Lunch

13:00–18:00    Field Trip (ticketed; registration required)

Themes

Hydrogeophysics in Groundwater Science, Application, Society

• Effective and sustainable groundwater management requires an understanding of the properties and functions of the groundwater systems, which is also based on our ability to characterize, evaluate, and predict the groundwater quantity and quality. In this topic, we will focus on the application of geophysical methods in groundwater science and management, such as aquifer characterization, managed groundwater recharge, seawater intrusion, and groundwater-surface water interactions. We invite presentations displaying the novel use of geophysical data, the collection of new geophysical datasets, and the integration of geophysical data with hydrological datasets or models in groundwater studies. The spatial scale of interest ranges from local to global, and we welcome new insights into translating groundwater science knowledge and techniques into management through a hydrogeophysical perspective.

Hydrogeophysics in Soil and Critical Zone Sciences

• The critical zone, i.e., the outermost layer of the Earth, plays a key role in supporting various resources to our society, including water, soil, and food. Direct observations of the subsurface properties and processes in the critical zone are difficult, making near-surface geophysics essential to understanding the processes in soils and the critical zones. Through the imagery of various physical properties (e.g., velocity, resistivity, gravity), geophysical methods provide indirect information about a wide variety of soil and critical zone structures and processes. This theme solicits research that uses one or combines multiple geophysical measurements to characterize subsurface structures, integrating geophysical data and other geoscientific data (e.g., hydrologic and biogeochemical) to understand soil or critical zone processes/dynamics, and studies the hydrogeophysical relationship of soil/critical zone materials to improve the geophysical interpretation. This topic also includes agricultural studies related to hydrogeophysics, such as soil moisture content determination, plant water uptake monitoring, and demonstration of new geophysical applications

Hydrogeophysics in Environmental Science and Remediation

• Geophysical methods can be used in environmental science to characterize contaminated sites, monitor the cleanup of contaminated groundwater and soils, and guide the remediation processes. Geophysical measurements can provide detailed subsurface information about site structure, contaminant distribution, flow paths, and their evolution with time. Therefore, they are valuable tools for evaluating the effectiveness of the cleanup technologies in environmental remediation. We invite studies in every aspect in environmental science and remediation, including integration of geophysical data with data from conventional methods, linking geophysical responses to parameters quantifying environmental remediation processes, novel application of geophysical instruments, laboratory experiments, and field case studies.

Computation Techniques in Hydrogeophysics

• Many hydrogeophysical studies have to process both geophysical and hydrologic datasets, the amount and type of which have been increasing significantly due to recent developments in instrumentation. To better extract information from these multi-source datasets and integrate them into hydrologic studies, advanced data processing techniques are required. This topic invites studies that focus on advanced data processing and interpretation techniques in hydrogeophysics. Topics of interest include novel forward modeling, innovations in hydrogeophysical inversion (e.g., coupled, joint, or guided inversions), new data fusion strategies, application of AI and machine learning in hydrogeophysics, uncertainty quantifications, and relevant case studies involving computations

The SEG/AGU Hydrogeophysics Workshop will be held on the beautiful campus of Boise State University, located in the heart of Idaho’s capital. Boise is known for its friendly neighborhood charm, stunning mountain views, and beautiful, sunny climate.

Boise State University
Alumni and Friends Center Ballroom
1173 W University Dr.
Boise, Idaho, USA

The Boise State University Alumni and Friends Center, 1173 W University Dr, is located on the east side of campus, #79 on the printable map. The workshop will be held in the first floor Ballroom.

Campus Map

The campus Bronco Shuttle is a free and convenient transportation option. Use the Orange Line 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

Registration

Nonmembers: If you are not a member of SEG, you must have a profile before registering. To confirm you do not have an SEG login or if this is the first time registering for an SEG event, set up a profile:

• Click on Login at the top of the SEG website
• Click Get Started

Return to the SEG/SPE Injection-Induced Workshop website to register by clicking on the Register Now button.

AGU Members: Before registering, contact  [email protected] to register at the discounted member rate.

Students:

• Students: SEG Foundation support enables a limited number of SEG student members to receive registration at no cost. If you are an SEG student member interested in applying for student support to attend the workshop, complete a 2026 SEG Workshops Registration Grant application here. To join SEG, click here.

• Generous sponsorship from Subsurface Geophysical Solutions / Iris Instruments enables a limited number of member and non-member students to receive registration at no cost and travel expense support. Before registering, contact [email protected].

Students and Early Career Professionals:

• An NSF grant will support U.S. University students and Early Career Professionals with $100 (students) or $200 (early-career professionals) toward the registration fee. Travel support (up to $300 each) is also available. Contact [email protected] for registration assistance and to indicate interest in receiving travel support.

Early Registration Rates: On or before 1 June 2026
US$550 SEG and AGU Members | US$700 Nonmember | US$200 Student/Early Career Professional

Standard Registration Rates: After 1 June 2026 and Onsite
US$675 SEG and AGU Members | US$825 Nonmember | US$200 Student/Early Career Professional

Workshop registration fee includes breakfasts, breaks, lunches, and networking reception.

Questions about registration? Contact [email protected].

Refund/Cancellation Policy

Registrations can be cancelled online. Cancellations by 22 June 2026 entitles registrant to a full refund of the registration fee minus US$50 for processing. No refunds will be issued after 22 June 2026.

Parking

Boise State University is a pay-to-park campus. Parking is available in the back of the Alumni and Friends Center. SEG/AGU Hydrogeophysics Workshop attendees will receive free parking. Using kiosks located in the parking lot, click on Hydrogeophysics Workshop to receive free parking.

Nearby Hotels

Staying in downtown Boise is a convenient 5-10 minute drive to the Boise State University Alumni and Friends Center, 1173 W University Dr. Enjoy a scenic, flat 15-20 minute walk across the river from several nearby hotels to the workshop venue.

Arcadia Hotel | (208) 510-5610 |Arcadia Hotel, code StayArcadiaBSU
3433 W Chinden Blvd | 8 min (3.3 mi)

The Avery Hotel | (208) 990-1010 | Boise State Friends and Family Reservations
1010 W Main St | 6 min (1.7 mi)

Courtyard by Marriott Boise Downtown | (208) 331-2700 | Online Reservations for Courtyard by Marriott use U4B code for booking directly on Marriott.com
222 S Broadway Ave | 5 min (.8 mi) | Hotel shuttle available

The Grove Hotel | (208) 333-8000 | Boise State University – The Grove Hotel
245 S Capitol Blvd | 4 min (1.3 mi) | Hotel shuttle available

Hilton Garden Inn | (208) 342-7000 | Hilton Garden Inn Boise Downtown
348 S 13th St | 5 min (1.7 mi)

Hotel 43 | (800) 243-4622 | Boise State University – Hotel 43
981 W Grove St | 5 min (1.7 mi) | Hotel shuttle available

The Inn at 500 | Boise’s Premier Four Diamond Hotel | (208) 227-0500 | Inn at 500 Boise / BSU Family Discount
500 S Capitol Blvd | 5 min (1.4 mi) | Hotel shuttle available

Visiting Boise

Boise Airport has 25 nonstop destinations and is less than 5 miles from downtown.

Visit Boise welcomes workshop attendees. The following resources are available to assist with your travel plans. You may want to consider additional leisure time before or after the workshop.

• Visit Boise and Experience the Unexpected West
• Visitor Guide | Visit Boise
• Boise Day Trips | Visit Boise
• Summer Activities

Visas/Letters of Invitation

The United States requires citizens of many foreign countries to obtain visas to enter the U.S. If you are not a U.S. citizen and are intending to attend the SEG/AGU Hydrogeophysics Workshop, please ensure you obtain the correct visa to enter the country. The process of obtaining a visa may take several months. Detailed information on the U.S. Visa Policy can be found online at the U.S. Department of State website.

It is your responsibility to apply for a passport, visa, or any other required documents and to demonstrate to consular officials that you are properly classifiable as a visitor under the U.S. law.

You may print your own workshop visa invitation letter here. SEG supplies this letter for visa purposes only. If your visa application is denied and SEG receives a copy of the denial by email before 10 July 2026, your registration fee will be refunded in full. After 10 July, your registration fee will be refunded less a $50 processing fee.

Please note this letter does not guarantee that you will be granted a visa, nor does it commit SEG to assist you in obtaining a visa.

You are invited to offer your support of the SEG/AGU Hydrogeophysics Workshop by purchasing a sponsorship from the following list of opportunities.

• Platinum — US$5,000
• Gold — US$3,000
• Silver — US$2,000
• Reception — US$3,000 sole sponsor or US$1,500 multi-sponsor per event
• Lunch — US$3,000 sole sponsor or US$1,500 day 1, 2, or 3
• Student Support — US$3,000
• Attendee Gift — US$1,000 plus cost of gift of choice

To review sponsorship opportunities in detail and to sign up as a workshop sponsor, please download the Sponsorship Form and submit it to [email protected].  

Field Trip: Dry Creek Experimental Watershed

22 July 2026 – Upon adjournment of SEG/AGU Hydrogeophysics Workshop

Description

Join us for a fascinating excursion to Dry Creek Experimental Watershed (DCEW). This experimental watershed was designed for research and education in watershed science, and its mission is to provide temporally continuous and spatially distributed hydrometeorological and geographical data from point to watershed scales for researchers and educators. It is also an experimental site where various geophysical instruments can be applied to hydrologic studies.

DCEW covers a diverse landscape, from dry lowland grasslands to the snowy upland forests. This offers valuable opportunities to investigate interactions among hydrologic, geologic, and ecologic processes and properties in the mountainous rain-snow transition zone characteristic of much of the semiarid western United States. Detailed description of the watershed, background, climate, geology and soils, vegetation, and more is detailed at https://www.boisestate.edu/drycreek/.

The Treelie Site of Dry Creek Experimental Watershed

Tentative Itinerary

Wednesday, 22 July

• 1:30 p.m. Leave Boise State University Alumni Center
• 2:15 p.m. Arrive Treelie site of Dry Creek Experimental Watershed
• 2:15– 3:15 p.m. Introduction of Instrumentation, Site, and Field Research
• 3:30– 5:30 p.m. Visit Bogus Basin
• 5:45 p.m. Leave Bogus Basin
• 6:30 p.m. Return to Alumni Center

Field Trip Leaders

• James McNamara, Department of Geosciences, Bosie State University
• Qifei Niu, Department of Geosciences, Boise State University

Fee: US$25 The field trip is a separate ticketed event during the workshop online registration process. Register early as field trip attendance is limited.

Short Course: Electrical and Hydraulic Properties of Granitic Soils
18–19 July 2026
Environmental Research Building, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho

Instructor: Dr. Qifei Niu, Boise State University
Audience: A limited number of graduate students and early career researchers
Attendee Limit: 10

A wait list will be established if the maximum number of registrations is reached.

Fee: This short course is supported by an NSF grant, and attendance will be free. Eligible attendees’ travel costs may be supplemented. The short course is a separate ticketed event during the workshop online registration process.

Objective: To provide a foundational understanding of hydraulic and electrical properties of critical zone materials in the context of hydrogeophysical applications.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Understand the electrical conduction mechanism in porous media, including both bulk water conduction and surface conduction.
• Model the electrical and hydraulic conductivity of saturated and unsaturated porous media.
• Link hydraulic properties to electrical properties through pore/grain geometry and surface properties.
• Master the laboratory measurement of electrical/hydraulic conductivity of granular materials
• Apply petrophysical knowledge to field hydrogeophysical investigations

Preliminary Agenda

Saturday, 18 July: Fundamentals and laboratory measurements

• Morning: Physics of the granitic regolith
  • Lec1: Intro to granitic regolith—from rock to soil
  • Lec2: Electrical conduction mechanisms and modeling in porous media.
  • Lec3: Fundamentals of water in porous media—porosity, permeability, and water retention properties.
• Afternoon: Hands-on lab experiments
  • Lab1: Measuring soil water retention curves
  • Lab2: Measuring electrical properties of soils at unsaturated conditions

Sunday, 19 July: Data processing, modeling, and field hydrogeophysical data interpretation

• Morning: Data processing and modeling
  • Lec4: Modeling the electrical properties.
  • Lec5: Modeling the Hydraulic Properties.
  • Lec6: Explore the link between hydraulic and electrical properties
• Afternoon: Application to field datasets and others
  • Interactive Session: From lab to field—applying petrophysical data to field time-lapse resistivity surveys results.
  • Others: peer-reviewing individual work and wrap-up