"Geophysics is a subject of natural science concerned with the physical processes and physical properties of the Earth and its surrounding space environment, and the use of quantitative methods for their analysis."
Study of the physical properties of the earth’s crust, including seismicity, gravity, and magnetism.
Geology: The study of the Earth's structure, composition, and history, which provides the foundation for geophysical investigation.
Physics: The study of the properties of matter and energy, which are fundamental to geophysical principles.
Mathematics: The language of the physical sciences, including geophysics.
Earth's gravity: The force that pulls objects towards the center of the Earth, which is used in gravimetry to measure subsurface density variations.
Seismology: The study of earthquakes, seismic waves, and the Earth's structure through their interactions.
Electromagnetism: The study of electric and magnetic fields, which is critical to understanding geophysical methods based on electrical and magnetic properties of materials.
Geodesy: The science of measuring the Earth's shape and size, which is essential for accurate geophysical modeling.
Remote sensing: The acquisition and interpretation of data without physical contact through satellites and other devices.
Cartography: The study and production of maps, which serve as a critical tool for geophysicists.
Geochemistry: The study of the chemical composition and processes of the Earth, which provides insights into geological processes.
Geomorphology: The study of the Earth's landforms and the processes that shape them, which can provide insights into subsurface geological features.
Geodynamics: The study of the movement and deformation of the Earth's crust and mantle, which can provide insights into plate tectonics, volcanism, and earthquakes.
Geothermal energy: The study and use of the Earth's heat energy, which is critical for understanding subsurface geology.
Hydrology: The study of water on Earth, which plays an important role in geophysical dynamics.
Environmental geophysics: The use of geophysical methods to investigate environmental problems, such as groundwater contamination and soil pollution.
Petroleum geophysics: The use of geophysical methods to explore for and develop oil and gas reserves.
Mining geophysics: The use of geophysical methods to explore for and develop mineral resources.
Geophysical instrumentation: The development and use of specialized instruments and sensors for geophysical investigations.
Computational geophysics: The use of computer modeling and simulation to investigate geophysical processes and make predictions.
Geophysics and society: The role of geophysics in addressing societal challenges, such as natural hazards, energy resources, and environmental sustainability.
Gravity: Measures changes in the Earth's gravitational field, useful in identifying underground structures such as petroleum deposits, ore bodies, and underground water resources.
Magnetic: Measures variations in the Earth's magnetic field caused by different rock types, useful in locating buried iron ore deposits or faults.
Seismic: Involves generating and detecting waves that travel through the Earth's interior, used to determine the location, depth and size of underground geologic features, such as oil and gas reservoirs, subsurface water, and faults.
Electrical Resistivity: Measures variations in the conductivity of rocks, useful in identifying hidden metallic objects or oil-bearing formations.
Electromagnetic: Similar to electrical resistivity, but relies on detecting magnetic fields induced by passing electrical currents through the ground, helpful in identifying areas with high electrical conductivity, such as metal seams or saltwater bodies.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): Uses high-frequency radar waves to image underground structures. Often used in engineering geology and archeology.
GPS: Used to measure topographic data more accurately, including elevation, location, and slope in order to create detailed digital terrain models (DTMs).
Geodetics/Geoids: Studies the Earth's shape, orientation, and gravitational field. Accurate surveying instruments and methods are essential in geodetic measurements.
Remote Sensing: Measurements taken from height, such as from an aircraft or satellite, to obtain geophysical information. Useful in geological and environmental mapping.
Geomorphology: Studies the Earth's surface shape and the processes that create them. It involves interpreting landforms, drainage patterns, etc., to understand how they evolved over time.
"Geophysicists, who usually study geophysics, physics, or one of the earth sciences at the graduate level, complete investigations across a wide range of scientific disciplines."
"The term geophysics classically refers to solid earth applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic fields; its internal structure and composition; its dynamics and their surface expression in plate tectonics, the generation of magmas, volcanism and rock formation."
"Modern geophysics organizations and pure scientists use a broader definition that includes the water cycle including snow and ice; fluid dynamics of the oceans and the atmosphere; electricity and magnetism in the ionosphere and magnetosphere and solar-terrestrial physics; and analogous problems associated with the Moon and other planets."
"Although geophysics was only recognized as a separate discipline in the 19th century, its origins date back to ancient times."
"The first magnetic compasses were made from lodestones, while more modern magnetic compasses played an important role in the history of navigation. The first seismic instrument was built in 132 AD."
"Isaac Newton applied his theory of mechanics to the tides and the precession of the equinox; and instruments were developed to measure the Earth's shape, density and gravity field, as well as the components of the water cycle."
"In the 20th century, geophysical methods were developed for remote exploration of the solid Earth and the ocean, and geophysics played an essential role in the development of the theory of plate tectonics."
"Geophysics is applied to societal needs, such as mineral resources, mitigation of natural hazards, and environmental protection."
"In exploration geophysics, geophysical survey data are used to analyze potential petroleum reservoirs and mineral deposits, locate groundwater, find archaeological relics, determine the thickness of glaciers and soils, and assess sites for environmental remediation."
"Geophysicists use quantitative methods for the analysis of physical processes and physical properties of the Earth and its surrounding space environment."
"The term geophysics classically refers to solid earth applications."
"The broader definition of geophysics includes areas such as the water cycle, fluid dynamics of the oceans and the atmosphere, electricity and magnetism, solar-terrestrial physics, and studies related to the Moon and other planets."
"Geophysics is applied to societal needs, such as mineral resources, mitigation of natural hazards, and environmental protection."
"In exploration geophysics, geophysical survey data are used to analyze potential petroleum reservoirs and mineral deposits, locate groundwater, find archaeological relics, determine the thickness of glaciers and soils, and assess sites for environmental remediation."
"Although geophysics was only recognized as a separate discipline in the 19th century, its origins date back to ancient times."
"The first magnetic compasses were made from lodestones, while more modern magnetic compasses played an important role in the history of navigation. The first seismic instrument was built in 132 AD."
"Isaac Newton applied his theory of mechanics to the tides and the precession of the equinox; and instruments were developed to measure the Earth's shape, density and gravity field, as well as the components of the water cycle."
"In the 20th century, geophysical methods were developed for remote exploration of the solid Earth and the ocean, and geophysics played an essential role in the development of the theory of plate tectonics."
"Geophysics is applied to societal needs, such as mineral resources, mitigation of natural hazards, and environmental protection."