IN MEMORY OF THE VETERAN OF TSNIGRI A. D. PETROVSKY (on the occasion of his 90th birthday)

Abstract

On December 29, 2019, A.D. Petrovsky, Academician, PhD, geophysicist, TsNIGRI veteran, Head of wave method and exploration system optimization laboratory (1969-1989, 1989-1993) would celebrate his 90^th anniversary.

In 1953, he graduated from the Moscow Geological Prospecting Institute and, in later years, postgraduate courses; he supported a thesis on developing downhole logging (DL) device and technique based on an autonomous transmitter. This invention enabled successful DL use in mineral deposit exploration and prospecting domestically and overseas, and made him famous among eminent scientists elaborating underground radiowave methods (RM) and inventors of RM theory, technique and interpretation basics.

A.D. Petrovsky has worked in TsNIGRI since 1957 for 45 years; his first job title was a junior researcher. He actively developed measurement theory and technique as well as improved RM instrumentation in cooperation with experienced engineers, geophysicists, geologists and radio engineers. In 1969, he was elected Head of wave method laboratory established by him. By that time, he had a number of patents in many areas such as methods and equipment of downhole, shaft and ground/underground radiometric/geological surveying (RGS), he also published important papers on RGS theory, electrodynamics and radiophysics.

 RGS was successfully used at ore deposits (gold-sulfide, gold-quartz, copper pyrite, copper-nickel, polymetallic, coal, etc.) in various regions of the USSR, from Karelia and Kola peninsula to Altai and seaside region as well as copper and base metal deposits in Cuba and coal deposits in China. Until the mid 1990s, TsNIGRI was a global leader in RGS use.

His monograph, “Radiowave methods in underground geophysics” published twice (in 1971 and 2001), which he supported in 1978 as a doctorate thesis, is still widely used by RGS specialists.

In 1970s, TsNIGRI launched studies of using interhole logging (IL) in prospecting and localization of Yakutian diamondiferous province (West Yakutia) buried kimberlite pipes, which he initiated and organized; they became a milestone in his scientific and practical activities. He directly managed and participated in developing measurement methodical interpretation DRGS complex (MMI-DRGS) including IL, single-hole method (SH-RM) and petrophysical studies (measurements, processing and analysis). The complex was used in prospecting within West Yakutia (1985-1989), which later enabled discovery of seven kimberlite pipes.

In fact, the complex was an optimized measurement and interpretation system focused on obtaining the most reliable information when data was largely unavailable. The work related to this complex encouraged A.D. Petrovsky to establish exploration system optimization laboratory, which he headed in 1989, and get involved in systems theory, informal logic, etc.

As a creative person, he developed his own theory on basic laws of systems such as society, nature and universe.

A.D. Petrovsky was a member of the presidium, Deputy Chairman of mathematics and mathematical physics section, Chairman of RANS system analysis and forecast section. However, his practical work continued including two contracts with ALROSA company (2003, TsNIGRI) and IEP RAS (2006-2009); as part of them, the full description of MMI-DRGS theory, measurement technique and interpretation with software and database was made available to TsNIGRI.

A.D. Petrovsky is an author of over 160 papers including three monographs and 10 inventions, he was awarded medals and badges.

His colleagues and friends remember him as a talented scientist and organizer, sincere and wise person, he also had a sense of humour and was poetically gifted.