Geophysics

Geophysics, a major discipline of the Earth sciences, is the study of the Earth by the quantitative observation of its physical properties, especially by seismic, electromagnetic, radioactivity, galvanic (electrical) and potential field (such as gravity and magnetism) methods. Geophysics can therefore be seen as the intersection of geology and physics. It calls heavily upon other fields of science such as mathematics and computer science. The theories and techniques of geophysics are employed extensively in the planetary sciences in general.

Fields and related disciplines

Fields which are part of or related to geophysics include:

• Geodesy, the study of the Earth's gravitational field and the size and form of the Earth
• The study of large-scale movements of the Earth's tectonic plates and the processes driving and resulting from them, including:

• Tectonophysics, the study of geodynamic processes and deformations on all scales
• Geodynamics, numerical study of the inner Earth
• Seismology, the study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth

• Most of our knowledge of the Structure of the Earth derives from seismology

• Volcanology, the study of volcanoes, together with hot springs and, more widely, heating and heat flow within the Earth

• Geomagnetism, the study of the Earth's magnetic field, including its origin, telluric currents driven by the magnetic field, the Van Allen belts, and the interaction between the magnetosphere and the solar wind
• Atmospheric sciences, which includes:

• Atmospheric electricity and the ionosphere
• Aeronomy, the study of the physical structure and chemistry of the atmosphere.
• Meteorology and Climatology, which both involve studies of the weather.

• The study of water on the Earth, hydrology, physical oceanography and glaciology
• Geophysical surveying:

• Exploration and engineering geophysics, using surface methods to detect or infer the presence and position of concentrations of ore minerals and hydrocarbons
• Archaeological geophysics, for archaeological imaging or mapping

• Geological and geophysical engineering and Engineering geology, applying geophysics to the engineering design of facilities including roads, tunnels, and mines
• The study of the rocks and minerals, including petrophysics and aspects of mineralogy such as physical mineralogy and crystal structure

History of geophysics

Main article: History of geophysics

The development of geophysics has been motivated by many theoretical and practical issues.

The term of geophysics was probably first used in Germany, where it appeared in scientific writings of the mid-19th century. The word geophysics was first used by Fröbel^[1][2] as "geophysik" in 1834.

References

See also

• American Geophysical Union
• Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society
• European Geosciences Union
• Canadian Geophysical Union
• Society of Exploration Geophysicists
• Important publications in geophysics (geology)
• Important publications in geophysics (physics)
• Fluid dynamics

External links

• USGS Geomagnetism Program
• Case studies from TerraDat Geophysics documenting the use in shallow engineering and environmental applications