Our services at a glance

4 Tiers of Engagement

From simple scans to full remediation support, our four service tiers offer the clarity you need at the level your site demands. Explore each below to find the right fit.
1
// Basic Service

GeoTrax Survey™

Best for: Simple sites
Purpose: Get a sense of subsurface conditions and flag areas of concern.

  • Uses Aestus’ proprietary electrical resistivity imaging to “see” the subsurface.
  • Helps you avoid drilling blind.
  • Ideal for early-stage planning or basic due diligence.
2
// Standard Service

GeoTrax Viz™

Best for: Simple to moderately complex sites
Purpose: Identify meaningful drilling targets and visualize the subsurface.

  • Includes 3D visualization.
  • Adds limited integration of site features like wells or borings.
  • Results in better-informed decisions for where to drill next.
3
// Advanced Service

GeoTrax CSM™

Best for: Complex or contaminated sites
Purpose: Build a robust Conceptual Site Model (CSM) to guide remediation or development.

  • Integrates multiple datasets including boring logs, groundwater data, and plume maps.
  • Provides hypotheses on geology and contaminant flow.
  • Includes suggested confirmation drilling targets.
4
// Expert Service

GeoTrax CSM Plus™

Best for: High-stakes sites needing full Remedial Design Characterization (RDC)
Purpose: Deliver maximum certainty through comprehensive data integration and modeling.

  • Adds confirmation drilling data to calibrate and refine the model.
  • Delivers a full final report with updated visuals and interpretations.
  • Supports regulatory compliance, advanced risk mitigation, and cost-effective remediation.
“We had done a lot of work at this site and thought we understood it. The Aestus imaging turned that on its head. We were able to locate contaminant zones and flow paths we hadn’t seen before—and change our remediation strategy because of it.”
- Project Consultant, Former Refinery Site (Confidential)
Working off of a prepared site map, the Aestus team works on prepping the site for scanning
1
// Basic Service

GeoTrax Survey™

Ideal for simple sites, this entry-level service provides high-sensitivity subsurface scans to identify areas of concern and help you avoid drilling blind.
Timeline: Typical Aestus engagement ~5 weeks.
  • Environmental consultants doing preliminary assessments
  • Developers needing a quick look at what’s below
  • Anyone needing an affordable starting point for site planning
  • Visualize subsurface conditions in 2D
  • Identify anomalies or potential trouble zones
  • Reduce unnecessary drilling
  • Fast turnaround and lower cost
  • Ground-truth existing assumptions
  • Aestus fieldwork (1-2 weeks)
  • Basic geospatial data (land-surveyed by Aestus)
  • 2D electrical resistivity images
  • A 3D visualization model (no site data integration)
  • Georeferenced site maps
Siting the exact location for the GeoTrax Survey™ Line
2
// Standard Service

GeoTrax Viz™

Designed for moderately complex sites, GeoTrax Viz™ combines 2D scans with 3D modeling and limited site data integration to help you identify smarter drilling targets.
Timeline: Typical Aestus engagement ~7–8 weeks.
  • Teams planning follow-up investigations
  • Sites with known issues needing better clarity
  • Projects requiring 3D visuals for stakeholder discussions
  • Visualize subsurface conditions in 3D
  • Spot data gaps and refine drilling strategies
  • Limited integration of wells, soil, and groundwater data
  • Save time and money by avoiding unnecessary borings
  • Improve confidence in next steps
  • Everything in GeoTrax Survey™
  • Site features added to figures and 3D model
  • Interpolated resistivity slices and solid resistivity model
  • Suggested drilling targets from our interpretation team
  • Figures, tables, and 3D visualization files
Working with Survey equipment
3
// Advanced Service

GeoTrax CSM™

For complex or contaminated sites, GeoTrax CSM™ delivers a data-rich conceptual site model (CSM) with deeper interpretation and targeted drilling strategies.
Timeline: Typical Aestus engagement ~9–10 weeks.
  • Environmental professionals managing difficult or high-stakes sites
  • Sites with past investigations but lingering uncertainty
  • Projects preparing for remediation or regulatory approval
  • Advanced data integration and interpretation
  • Map geologic contacts and preferential flowpaths
  • Develop and test CSM hypotheses
  • Identify confirmation drilling targets
  • Make informed decisions with fewer unknowns
  • Everything in GeoTrax Viz™
  • Integration of boring logs, historical data, and multiple sampling events
  • Mapped flowpaths and geologic features
  • Interim presentation with CSM hypotheses and next-step recommendations
  • Figures, tables, and 3D visualization files
Working with survey equipment
4
// Expert Service

GeoTrax CSM Plus™

When the stakes are high, GeoTrax CSM Plus™ delivers maximum certainty with full data integration, calibrated imaging, and a final report to guide remediation and reduce risk.
Timeline: Typical Aestus engagement ~17–18 weeks. (Does not include client directed confirmation drilling program)
  • Sites requiring full Remedial Design Characterization (RDC)
  • High-risk or high-visibility projects
  • Teams preparing for regulatory action or final remediation design
  • Full integration of confirmation drilling data
  • Calibrated electrical images for unmatched accuracy
  • Final, updated conceptual site model with clear conclusions
  • Minimize trailing liabilities with more certain data
  • Support faster, more cost-effective site closure
  • Everything in GeoTrax CSM™
  • Integration of confirmation drilling results into figures and 3D model
  • Updated geologic mapping and flowpaths
  • Final report with text, updated visuals, 3D model, and appendices
  • Highest level of interpretation and reporting available
Technology Selection Matrix

The Subsurface Technology Selection Matrix

Choose the right subsurface tool for your jobsite.

Not sure which technology to use for site characterization? We’ve got you covered.

Our free Subsurface Technology Selection Matrix helps you match your project size and goals with the right scanning tools. Whether you’re chasing contamination, mapping groundwater, or planning remediation, this guide gives you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.
This guide will help you…
  • Avoid wasted time and budget on tools that don’t fit your site needs
  • Learn the strengths and limitations of each major subsurface technology
  • Get expert guidance on when to scan, drill, or combine both for best results

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Madison Culver
Madison Culver, M.Sc.
Staff Geologist / Field Technician
Since joining Aestus in 2024, Madison has performed various project tasks including field data acquisition, data integration and analysis, 2D and 3D visualization, and project report development.

As an undergraduate at Oklahoma Sate University, Madison utilized electrical resistivity imaging to locate a drilling target for a municipal water well in rural Oklahoma. Her Master’s degree, also from Oklahoma State University, focused on the production and laboratory testing of a novel groundwater tracing particle for use in a sole source aquifer.

Madison previously worked at an environmental consulting firm in Dallas, Texas, where she performed soil/groundwater investigations/reporting, PFAS sampling programs, and Environmental Site Assessments.

Madison is based out of Irving, Texas.
Michelle Lahti
Michelle Lahti, PACE
Administrative Director
Since joining Aestus in 2021, Michelle has supported the CEO and other managers in their day-to-day needs. She also manages human resources and all elements of the many conferences Aestus attends. Michelle works hard to ensure that the needs of stakeholders are addressed in all steps of the business process when working with our clients.
Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in Avionics Engineering Technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She also has experience as a small business owner, and over 15 years’ experience as an executive assistant in many different industries. She has her Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE) through the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP).
Michelle is based out of Wellington, Colorado.
Autumn Town
Autumn M. Town, M.Sc.
Staff Geologist / Field Technician
Autumn performs various project tasks for Aestus, including field data acquisition, data integration and analysis, 2D and 3D visualization, and project report development. Since joining Aestus in 2023, she has helped meet project objectives such as mapping stratigraphy, identifying areas of contamination, and characterizing preferential flow pathways at complex sites across the United States.
As an undergraduate at Oklahoma State University, Autumn utilized electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) to evaluate the hydrogeologic effects of PFAS-containing firefighting foams. While completing her Master’s degree, also at Oklahoma State University, she focused primarily on sedimentology and stratigraphy as she studied the effects of depositional and diagenetic processes on porosity development in a tight gas sandstone reservoir.

Autumn is based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Morgan Love
Morgan Love, M.Sc.
Senior Project Geologist
Morgan has been a part of the Aestus team since 2012. She supports all aspects of data integration for Aestus in 2D and 3D space, including modeling of geophysical, geochemical, and geologic data. She also performs geophysical data processing and develops quality control and automation protocols to ensure data integrity.

Prior to Aestus, Morgan used her environmental geology undergraduate degree working for a water resource company, a geosciences software company, and a seismic data acquisition company. She holds a Master's Degree in Computer Information Systems.

Morgan is based out of Fort Collins, Colorado.
Grant Eastman
Grant Eastman
Equipment Manager / Field Technician
Grant maintains all our equipment and vehicles at a firehouse ready status in order for the field team to be ready to mobilize at moment’s notice. He also troubleshoots any technical issues that come up as well as being a member of the field team.

Grant graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Watershed Science. After graduating he completed 8 years of military service with the Colorado Army National Guard, including two deployments to the middle east. Before joining Aestus, he was a senior technician building custom automation equipment and wire harness mockups for aerospace companies.

Grant is based out of Milliken, Colorado.
Samantha Frandsen
Samantha Frandsen, M.Sc, P.Gp.
Hydrogeophysicist / Project Manager
Since joining Aestus in 2018, Samantha has performed all aspects of the Aestus project lifecycle, including acquisition field work, processing of geophysical data, data integration, 3D visualization, and reporting. As project manager, she oversees a variety of projects completed at complex sites across the United States and strives to help our clients efficiently leverage Aestus’ high-resolution GeoTrax Survey™ data to improve understanding of subsurface conditions.

Prior to her time with Aestus, she earned her Bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) in Physics from the University of Richmond and taught high school physics as a Teach for America corps member. She then completed her Master’s degree (Distinction) in Exploration Geophysics at the University of Leeds in the UK. For her thesis, she utilized several different geophysical techniques to characterize the subsurface remains of a former gasworks facility for which she was awarded the GETECH award for best overall performance in the Independent Project and the Association for Industrial Archaeology’s Dissertation Award.

When she’s not investigating what’s below the ground, Samantha enjoys exploring all the above-ground fun her Stateline (South Lake Tahoe), NV home has to offer via trail running, mountain biking, and snowboarding.

Samantha is based out of Stateline, Nevada.
Michael McNair
Michael McNair
Project Geologist / Field Team Leader
Michael has worked on a variety of project types using Aestus’ electrical hydrogeology techniques to help Aestus’ clients succeed relative to characterization of contaminated sites, evaluating geohazards, municipal water well exploration, and monitoring subsurface changes over time. Michael currently manages Aestus’ field operations to collect high quality subsurface electrical imagery (GeoTrax Survey™) at rural, urban, and industrial sites with complex logistics. When not in the field, Michael is a key member of Aestus’ reporting team and leads or assists with 2D/3D data integration, QC, data interpretation, and reporting.

Michael previously worked at an environmental consulting firm in Dallas, Texas, where he performed soil/groundwater investigations in the field and subsequently developed reports. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Baylor University.

Michael is based out of Orlando, Florida.
Todd Halihan
Todd Halihan, Ph.D., P.Gp.
CTO/Data Interpretation Lead
Todd’s focus at Aestus centers on subsurface characterization using electrical hydrogeology and sustainable water supply. He is also a professor and the Sun Company Clyde Wheeler Chair in Hydrogeology at Oklahoma State University. He was the National Ground Water Association’s 2018 McEllhiney Lecturer and he is a founding member of the NGWAU program for groundwater outreach and education.

Dr. Halihan is the recipient of the American Institute of Hydrology’s C.V. Theis Award winner. He is also a professional geophysicist (CA), professional driller (OK) and a PADI divemaster.

Todd is based out of Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Stuart McDonald
Stuart W. McDonald, P.E.
CEO/Project Executive/Contracting
Stuart has dedicated over 20 years of his career overseeing the development of Aestus with the goal of empowering clients worldwide to gain more certainty in subsurface issues to make better technical decisions and save time and money on their projects. He has been involved in managing hundreds of projects for Aestus in the USA, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Stuart spent the first decade of his career as an environmental consultant primarily with Canonie Environmental and Harding Lawson Associates and gained experience performing cradle to grave site characterization and remediation work on high profile Superfund and other projects. This experience was the genesis of founding Aestus in 2001 as it became clear that the environmental industry needed more data density and more certainty for optimal decision-making on projects.

Stuart is based out of Loveland, Colorado.