ABOUT GEOPHYSICS

Geophysics entails the study and exploration of the Earth's interior through physical measurements collected at the earth's surface, in boreholes, from aircraft, and from satellites. Using a combination of mathematics, physics, geology, chemistry, hydrology, and computer science, a geophysicist analyzes these measurements to infer properties and processes within the Earth's complex interior.

Because the Earth supplies all of our material needs and is the repository of our waste products, the breadth and importance of this field of science are evident. Oil companies and mining firms use the exploratory skills of geophysicists to locate hidden resources throughout the world. Geophysicists assess the material properties near the Earth's surface when sites are chosen for large engineering and waste-management operations. Geophysical technology is used in environmental applications such as tracking the flow of contaminants and searching for groundwater. On the global scale, geophysicists attempt to unravel Earth processes and structures from its surface down to its central core using measurements of heat distribution and flow; gravitational, magnetic, electric, thermal, and stress fields; and ground motion caused by earthquakes or explosions.