geophysics
Studying Earth's interior
Geophysics is the study of Earth's physical properties and processes—its magnetic field, gravitational forces, seismic activity, and internal structure.
Geophysicists use physics and mathematics to understand phenomena from plate tectonics to ocean currents.
The field has practical applications in oil and mineral exploration, earthquake prediction, and climate science.
Earth's crust mobility theory
- lithosphereCrust plus upper mantle
- mantleCovering or wrap
- crustHard outer layer
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
continental drift · rift · fault · orogeny · collision zone · mid-ocean ridge · convergent · divergent
Seismic ground movement
- seismographEarthquake measuring device
- seismometerDetects ground vibrations
- P-waveLongitudinal seismic wave
- S-waveTransverse seismic vibration
epicenter · hypocenter · magnitude · tremor · aftershock · tsunami · liquefaction · subduction
Study of ground tremors
- volcanologyStudy of erupting mountains
- glaciologyStudy of ice masses
- oceanographyScientific study of seas
- hydrologyScience of water distribution
geodynamics · geochronology · stratigraphy · petrology · mineralogy
Measuring gravitational field strength
- isostasyGravitational balance of landmasses
- geoidGravitational equipotential surface model
- mass distributionWidespread item dispersal
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
subsurface · gravimeter · equipotential · spheroid · geodesy
Force zone around magnets
- paleomagnetismRemnant magnetism in rocks
- magnetometerInstrument measuring field strength
- dipoleSeparated opposite charges
- declinationAngular distance from equator
inclination · magnetosphere · remanence · susceptibility · secular variation
Hole-making by rotation
- prospectingSearching for mineral wealth
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
- electromagneticInvolving electric and magnetic fields
core sampling · hydrocarbon · reservoir · resistivity · borehole · oil · gas · tomography
Satellite-based location technology
- satellite positioningLocation via orbiting spacecraft
- geoidGravitational equipotential surface model
- reference frameBasis for measuring position
- levelingMaking flat or equal
plate tectonics
Earth's crust mobility theory
- lithosphereCrust plus upper mantle
- mantleCovering or wrap
- crustHard outer layer
subduction · continental drift · rift · fault · orogeny · collision zone · mid-ocean ridge · convergent · divergent · asthenosphere
earthquake
Seismic ground movement
- seismographEarthquake measuring device
- seismometerDetects ground vibrations
- P-waveLongitudinal seismic wave
S-wave · epicenter · hypocenter · magnitude · tremor · aftershock · tsunami · liquefaction · subduction · fault
seismology
Study of ground tremors
- volcanologyStudy of erupting mountains
- glaciologyStudy of ice masses
- oceanographyScientific study of seas
hydrology · geodynamics · geochronology · stratigraphy · petrology · mineralogy
gravimetry
Measuring gravitational field strength
- isostasyGravitational balance of landmasses
- geoidGravitational equipotential surface model
- mass distributionWidespread item dispersal
density · subsurface · gravimeter · equipotential · spheroid · geodesy
magnetic field
Force zone around magnets
- paleomagnetismRemnant magnetism in rocks
- magnetometerInstrument measuring field strength
- dipoleSeparated opposite charges
declination · inclination · magnetosphere · remanence · susceptibility · secular variation
drilling
Hole-making by rotation
- prospectingSearching for mineral wealth
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
electromagnetic · core sampling · hydrocarbon · reservoir · resistivity · borehole · oil · gas · tomography
GPS
Satellite-based location technology
- satellite positioningLocation via orbiting spacecraft
- geoidGravitational equipotential surface model
- reference frameBasis for measuring position
- sciencesbiology, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, ecology
- academic fieldsmathematics, biology, chemistry, history, philosophy
- earth scienceatmosphere, earthquake, volcano, crust, eruption
- petroleumcrude oil, crude, petroleum, oil wells, oil fields
- Physical Scienceschemistry, astronomy, meteorology, mechanics, thermodynamics
- faculty of sciencebiology, chemistry, math, mathematics, astronomy
geophysicsastrophysics
Physics of celestial bodies
astronomy · cosmology · humanities · literature · biology
geophysicsgeology
Study of Earth's composition
physical geography · natural history · folklore · mysticism · pseudoscience