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The study area is located on the outskirts of the Huenchullami River mouth, along the coast of the VII Region of Chile, between the rivers Mataquito in the north and Maule in the south. The zone is easily accessed by paved roads from Santiago City, 290 kilometers away. The nearest populated city is Constitución, which is located 30 km to the south.  This Constitucion has basic infrastructure, and was an airport and a sea port. During the field campaigns, the base operation camp was in La Trinchera, located 35° 07’ latitude south, near the Huenchullami river mouth.

From a geomorphologic point of view, the area is located inside Coast Cordillera. The units corresponded to the sandy plains that extended 1000 meters between the beach line and the escarp. Over these units runs the Huenchullami River.

 

The beach is known for its high exposure to waves, with a strip of surf, 150 meters wide.

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The slope of the beach is less then 1%. It has a predominant influence from south to north, which flows in at an average speed of 1.8 km/hr. This is responsible for the dregs with contribution from the Maule mouth. The sand is composed of fine grains, selected moderately.

 
 

With numerous sea faunas in the ocean, the beach presents a low number of species and population density, being very similar to other beaches from the south center of Chile.

The main economic industries in this zone are agriculture and forestry.

 

Geophysical exploration

The objective for a geophysical exploration was to find the vessel through detection, by electronic means, for any elements or its shipments.
 

With several geophysical methods currently available, they chose magnetometry. It is a technique used to detect materials with magnetic properties, especially iron. Iron is an abundant resource in the artillery of the vessel, and in its shipments of 144 tons.
 

The results are based on the measures of magnetic field in ground deformations, and existence of ferrous and/or magnetic substances. The instrument used is a Magnetometer, which consists of a sensor that measures the intensity of the magnetic field, and a display box that allows you to visualize and store the information.

 

The search area was centered in the Huenchullami mouth, and extends for 8 kilometers and also in directions parallel to the coast. They're taken from 10 meters to 300 meters of depth inside the earth.  The data gathered is taken from the North-South lines to amplify the anomalies, and with a density of 12 meter lines.

 

The measurements were done by walking, in vehicles, and with animal traction depending on field conditions. An aquatic motorcycle was used in the sea, since it is the only ship capable to navigate in such conditions.

 

 

Last, the data obtained has been geo referenced in real GPS time. They are downloaded in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to be analyzed. This will allow the detection of several anomalies that could correspond to the remains of the Oriflama.