Geophysics

	Email		Print
	Bookmark		Link

Geophysics

Geophysics, a major discipline of the Earth science

Earth science

Earth science , is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth . It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet....
s, is the study of the Earth

Earth

Earth is the third planet from the Sun. Earth is the largest of the terrestrial planets in the Solar System in diameter, mass and density. It is also referred to as the World and Wiktionary:Terra.Note that by International Astronomical Union convention, the term "Terra" is used for naming extensive land masses, rather...
by the quantitative observation of its physical properties, especially by seismic

Seismology

Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of Linear elasticity#Elastic waves through the Earth. The field also includes studies of earthquake effects, such as tsunamis as well as diverse seismic sources such as volcanic, tectonic, oceanic, atmospheric, and artificial processes ....
, electromagnetic

Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism is the physics of the electromagnetic field, a field which exerts a force on Elementary particles with the property of electric charge and which is reciprocally affected by the presence and motion of such particles....
, radioactivity

Radioactive decay

Radioactive decay is the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting ionizing particles and radiation. This decay, or loss of energy, results in an atom of one type, called the parent nuclide transforming to an atom of a different type, called the daughter nuclide....
, galvanic

Galvanic

"Galvanic" may refer to* Galvanization* Galvanic cell* Galvanic skin response* Galvanic corrosion* Galvanic series* Galvanic bath* Galvanic anode...
(electrical

Electricity

Electricity is a general term that encompasses a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena such as lightning and static electricity, but in addition, less familiar concepts such as the electromagnetic field and electromagnetic induction....
) and potential field (such as gravity and magnetism

Magnetism

In physics, magnetism is one of the phenomena by which materials exert attractive or repulsive forces on other materials. Some well-known materials that exhibit easily detectable magnetic properties are nickel, iron, cobalt, and their alloys; however, all materials are influenced to greater or lesser degree by the presence of a magnetic fiel...
) methods. Geophysics can therefore be seen as the intersection of geology

Geology

Geology is the science and study of the solid and liquid matter that constitute the Earth. The field of geology encompasses the study of the composition, structural geology, physical properties, dynamics, and History of the Earth of Earth materials, and the processes by which they are formed, moved, and changed....
and physics

Physics

Physics is the natural science which examines basic concepts such as energy, force, and spacetime and all that derives from these, such as mass, charge, matter and its Motion ....
. It calls heavily upon other fields of science such as mathematics

Mathematics

Mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, space, change, and related topics of pattern and form. Mathematicians seek out patterns whether found in numbers, space, natural science, computers, imaginary abstractions, or elsewhere....
and computer science

Computer science

Computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation, and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems....
. The theories and techniques of geophysics are employed extensively in the planetary science

Planetary science

Planetary science, also known as planetology and closely related to planetary astronomy, is the science of planets, or planetary systems, and the solar system....
s in general.

ds which are part of or related to geophysics include:

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.

Discussion

Ask a question about 'Geophysics'

Start a new discussion about 'Geophysics'

Answer questions from other users

Full Discussion Forum

Fields and related disciplines

Fields which are part of or related to geophysics include:

Geodesy
Geodesy

Geodesy , also called geodetics, a branch of earth sciences, is the scientific discipline that deals with the measurement and representation of the Earth, including its gravitational field, in a three-dimensional time-varying space....
, the study of the Earth's gravitational field
Earth's gravity

Earth's gravity, denoted by g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth exerts on objects on or near its surface. Its strength is usually quoted in terms of falling bodies , which in International System of Units is measured in m/s? ....
and the size and form of the Earth
The study of large-scale movements of the Earth's tectonic plates
Plate tectonics

Plate tectonics describes the large scale motions of Earth's lithosphere. The theory encompasses the older concepts of continental drift, developed during the first decades of the 20th century by Alfred Wegener, and seafloor spreading, understood during the 1960s....
and the processes driving and resulting from them, including:

Tectonophysics
Tectonophysics

Tectonophysics, a branch of geophysics, is the study of the physical processes that underlie plate tectonics. In particular, the field of tectonophysics encompasses the spatial patterns of stress, strain, and differing rheology in the lithosphere and asthenosphere of the Earth, and the relationships between these patterns and the observed pat...
, the study of geodynamic processes and deformations on all scales
Geodynamics
Geodynamics

Geodynamics is a subfield of geophysics dealing with dynamics of the Earth. Experts in geodynamics commonly use techniques such as geodetic GPS, InSAR, and seismology, to study the evolution of the Earth's Lithosphere, Convection#Mantle_convection and Earth's core....
, numerical study of the inner Earth
Seismology
Seismology

Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of Linear elasticity#Elastic waves through the Earth. The field also includes studies of earthquake effects, such as tsunamis as well as diverse seismic sources such as volcanic, tectonic, oceanic, atmospheric, and artificial processes ....
, the study of earthquake
Earthquake

An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes are recorded with a seismometer, also known as a seismograph....
s and the propagation of elastic waves
Seismic wave

Seismic waves are waves that travel through the Earth or other elastic body, for example as the result of an earthquake, explosion, or some other process that imparts forces to the body....
through the Earth

Most of our knowledge of the Structure of the Earth
Structure of the Earth

The interior structure of the Earth, similar to the other terrestrial planets, is layered. These layers can either be defined by their Chemical property or Rheology properties....
derives from seismology
Shallow seismology is used in exploration geophysics (to find oil and gas) and for environmental characterization of the subsurface

Volcanology
Volcanology

Volcanology is the study of volcanoes, lava, magma, and related geology and geophysical phenomena. The term volcanology is derived from the Latin language word Vulcan , the Roman mythology of fire....
, the study of volcano
Volcano

A volcano is an opening, or rupture, in a planet's surface or Crust , which allows hot, molten rock, ash, and gases to escape from below the surface....
es, together with hot springs and, more widely, heating and heat flow within the Earth

Geomagnetism, the study of the Earth's magnetic field
Earth's magnetic field

Earth's magnetic field is approximately a magnetic dipole, with one magnetic pole near the north pole and the other near the geographic south pole ....
, including its origin, telluric current
Telluric current

A telluric current is an electric current which moves underground or through the sea. Telluric currents result from both natural causes and human activity, and the discrete currents interact in a complex pattern....
s driven by the magnetic field, the Van Allen belts
Van Allen radiation belt

The Van Allen radiation belt is a torus of energy charged particles around Earth, held in place by Earth's magnetic field. Earth's geomagnetic field is not uniformly distributed around its surface....
, and the interaction between the magnetosphere
Magnetosphere

A magnetosphere is a highly magnetized region around and possessed by an astronomical object. Earth is surrounded by a magnetosphere, as are the magnetized planets Mercury , Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune....
and the solar wind
Solar wind

The solar wind is a Electric current—a Plasma —ejected from the stellar atmosphere of the sun. It consists mostly of electrons and protons with energies of about 1 electron volt....
Atmospheric sciences
Atmospheric sciences

Atmospheric sciences is an umbrella term for the study of the Earth's atmosphere, its processes, the effects other systems have on the atmosphere, and the effects of the atmosphere on these other systems....
, which includes:

Atmospheric electricity
Atmospheric electricity

Atmospheric electricity is the regular Diurnal phase shift variations of the Earth's Earth's atmosphere Electromagnetism electrical network . The Continent, the ionosphere, and the atmosphere is known as the global atmospheric electrical circuit....
and the ionosphere
Ionosphere

The ionosphere is the uppermost part of the Earth's atmosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere....
Aeronomy
Atmospheric physics

Atmospheric physics is the application of physics to the study of the Earth's atmosphere. Atmospheric physicists attempt to model Earth's atmosphere and the atmospheres of the other planets using fluid dynamics equations, chemistry models, radiation balancing, and energy transfer processes in the atmosphere ....
, the study of the physical structure and chemistry of the atmosphere.
Meteorology
Meteorology

Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the Earth's atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting . Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the eighteenth century....
and Climatology
Climatology

Climatology is the study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of time, and is a branch of the atmospheric sciences....
, which both involve studies of the weather.

The study of water on the Earth, hydrology
Hydrology

Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water throughout the Earth, and thus addresses both the hydrologic cycle and water resources....
, physical oceanography
Physical oceanography

Physical oceanography is the study of physics conditions and physical processes within the ocean, especially the motions and physical properties of ocean waters....
and glaciology
Glaciology

Glaciology is the study of glaciers, or more generally ice and natural phenomena that involve ice.Glaciology is an interdisciplinary earth science that integrates geophysics, geology, physical geography, geomorphology, climatology, meteorology, hydrology, biology, and ecology....
Geophysical survey
Geophysical survey

Geophysical survey refers to the systematic collection of Geophysics data for spatial studies. Geophysical surveys may use a great variety of sensing instruments, and data may be collected from above or below the Earth's surface or from aerial or marine platforms....
ing:

Exploration and engineering geophysics
Exploration geophysics

Exploration geophysics is the applied branch of geophysics which uses surface methods to measure the physical properties of the subsurface Earth, in order to detect or infer the presence and position of concentrations of ore minerals and hydrocarbons....
, using surface methods to detect or infer the presence and position of concentrations of ore
Ore

An ore is a type of Rock that contains minerals such as gemstones and metals that can be extracted through mining and refined for use. Samples of ore in the form of exceptionally beautiful crystals, exotic layering visible when sectioned or polished or metallic presentations such as large nuggets or crystalline formations of metals suc...
minerals and hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbon

In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. With relation to chemical terminology, aromatic hydrocarbons or arenes, alkanes, alkenes and alkyne-based compounds composed entirely of carbon or hydrogen are referred to as "pure" hydrocarbons, whereas other hydrocarbons with bonded com...
s
Archaeological geophysics
Archaeological geophysics

Geophysical survey in archaeology most often refers to ground-based physical sensing techniques used for archaeological imaging or mapping. Remote sensing and marine surveys are also used in archaeology, but are generally considered separate disciplines....
, for archaeological imaging or mapping
Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, for locating underground storage tanks (UST's) or utilities
Public utility

A public utility is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public services . Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and regulation ranging from local community-based groups to state-wide government monopolies....
, delineating landfill
Landfill

File:Wysypisko.jpgFile:Landfill face.JPGFile:Landfill.jpg A landfill, also known as a dump , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of list of solid waste treatment technologies....
s, locating voids or potential subsidence
Subsidence

In geology, engineering, and surveying, subsidence is the motion of a surface as it shifts downward relative to a datum such as sea-level. The opposite of subsidence is Tectonic uplift, which results in an increase in elevation....
, finding depth to, P-wave
P-wave

P-waves are type of elastic wave, also called seismic waves, that can travel through gases , elastic solids and liquids, including the Earth....
or S-wave
S-wave

A type of seismic wave, the S-wave, secondary wave, or shear wave is one of the two main types of elastic body wave s, so named because they move through the body of an object, unlike surface waves....
velocity of, or rippability
Rippability

The rippability of an earth material is a measure of its ability to be excavated with conventional excavation equipment. A material may be classified as rippable, marginally rippable or non-rippable....
of bedrock
Bedrock

File:Rockhead1.jpg.JPGIn stratigraphy, bedrock is the native consolidated Rock underlying the surface of a terrestrial planet, usually the Earth....
, or the pathway of groundwater
Groundwater

Groundwater is water located beneath the ground surface in soil porosity spaces and in the fractures of lithologic formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water....
movement

Geological and geophysical engineering and Engineering geology
Engineering geology

Engineering Geology is the application of the Geology to engineering practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and adequately provided for....
, applying geophysics to the engineering design of facilities including roads, tunnels, and mines
The study of the rocks and minerals, including petrophysics
Petrophysics

Petrophysics is the study of the physical and chemical properties that describe the occurrence and behavior of rocks, soils and fluids . Petrophysics mainly studies Petroleum reservoir of resources, including ore deposits and oil or natural gas reservoirs....
and aspects of mineralogy
Mineralogy

Mineralogy is an Earth Science focused around the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization....
such as physical mineralogy
Mineralogy

Mineralogy is an Earth Science focused around the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization....
and crystal structure
Mineralogy

Mineralogy is an Earth Science focused around the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization....

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 as "geophysik" in 1834.

Geophysics

Fields and related disciplines

History of geophysics

See also

External links