Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to Detect Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

Underground storage tanks (USTs) are easily discernable with GPR. Generally, the location and orientation of underground storage tanks can be readily determined due to the contrast in dielectric constants between the UST and the surrounding subsurface material. The GPR can also be used to track the associated piping leading to and from a tank.

The cross-sectional view of an underground storage tank is seen as a hyperbolic shaped reflection due to the cylindrical surface of the tank, as seen in the GPR images of USTs shown below.