A Ground Penetrating Radar, also known as a GPR, Georadar or sometimes even Ground Probing Radar, is a non-destructive and rapid geophysical method that operates by transmitting electromagnetic waves from an antenna that reflects off layers and objects hidden in the ground. These reflections are collected as data which generates an image of the subsurface.
Applications
GPR has many applications in a number of fields. In the Earth sciences it is used to study bedrock, soils, groundwater, and ice. It is of some utility in prospecting for gold nuggets and for diamonds in alluvial gravel beds, by finding natural traps in buried stream beds that have the potential for accumulating heavier particles.
In archaeology it is used for mapping archaeological features and cemeteries. GPR can be used to detect and map subsurface archaeological artifacts, features, and patterning.
In military applications of ground-penetrating radar include detection of unexploded landmines and detecting tunnels.
Jones Defense Office 