Earth and Environment Atlas

How The Planet Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Discipline

Geophysics

Earth Science

The physical science of Earth as a measurable body: its shape, its gravitational, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, and its internal structure, composition and dynamics, studied with quantitative and observational methods. It is one of the oldest sciences, reaching back to early seismometers and magnetic compasses, and today it serves everything from mineral and energy exploration and natural hazard assessment to the study of the planet's near-space environment. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Central Question
How can Earth's shape, its gravitational, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, and its internal structure and dynamics be measured and explained with the tools of physics? 1
Scope
Geophysics applies the methods of physics, including seismic, gravitational, magnetic and electrical measurement, to study the Earth's interior and near-surface structure. 1
Significance
Geophysical surveying locates subsurface resources and structures, from oil and mineral deposits to buried faults, without direct excavation. 1
Geophysics
Filter Results13 entries

Dan McKenzie

Geophysics

Drummond Matthews

Geophysics

Edward Bullard

Geophysics

Francis Birch

Geophysics

Frank Press

Geophysics

Fred Vine

Geophysics

Harold Jeffreys

Geophysics

John Tuzo Wilson

Geophysics

M. King Hubbert

Geophysics

Sydney Chapman

Geophysics

W. Jason Morgan

Geophysics

Walter M. Elsasser

Geophysics

Xavier Le Pichon

Geophysics
Connections

Associated With

Geodesy, Disciplines

Geodesy supports applications including geophysics.

Source Geodesy (Wikipedia)
Seismology, Disciplines

Early seismometers are among the instruments geophysics grew from, and Earth's internal structure is central to both fields.

Source Geophysics (Wikipedia)

Has Scientist

Dan McKenzie, Scientists
Drummond Matthews, Scientists
Edward Bullard, Scientists
Francis Birch, Scientists
Frank Press, Scientists
Fred Vine, Scientists
Harold Jeffreys, Scientists
John Tuzo Wilson, Scientists

Canadian geophysicist acclaimed for his contributions to plate tectonics.

Source John Tuzo Wilson (Wikipedia)
M. King Hubbert, Scientists
Maurice Ewing, Scientists
Sydney Chapman, Scientists
W. Jason Morgan, Scientists
Source W. Jason Morgan (Wikipedia)
Walter M. Elsasser, Scientists
Xavier Le Pichon, Scientists

Includes

Abu Fanous, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Abu Fanous); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Abu Fanous (Wikipedia)
Airglow, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Airglow); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Airglow (Wikipedia)
Brown Mountain lights, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Brown Mountain lights); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Brown Mountain lights (Wikipedia)
Geothermal Gradient, Concepts
Source Geothermal gradient (Wikipedia)
Hessdalen lights, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Hessdalen lights); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Hessdalen lights (Wikipedia)
Hitodama, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Hitodama); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Hitodama (Wikipedia)
Ionized-air glow, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Ionized-air glow); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Ionized-air glow (Wikipedia)
Isostasy, Concepts

A gravitational equilibrium claim about crust and mantle.

Source Isostasy (Wikipedia)
Kitsune no yomeiri, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Kitsune no yomeiri); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Kitsune no yomeiri (Wikipedia)
Kitsunebi, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Kitsunebi); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Kitsunebi (Wikipedia)
Mantle Plume, Concepts
Source Mantle Plume (Wikipedia)
Marfa lights, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Marfa lights); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Marfa lights (Wikipedia)
Min Min light, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Min Min light); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Min Min light (Wikipedia)
Naga fireball, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Naga fireball); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Naga fireball (Wikipedia)
Onibi, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Onibi); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Onibi (Wikipedia)
Paulding Light, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Paulding Light); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Paulding Light (Wikipedia)
Shiranui, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Shiranui); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Shiranui (Wikipedia)
Slab Pull, Concepts
Source Slab Pull (Wikipedia)
Space jellyfish, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Space jellyfish); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Space jellyfish (Wikipedia)
Spooklight, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Spooklight); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Spooklight (Wikipedia)
STEVE, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (STEVE); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source STEVE (Wikipedia)
Superswell, Geological Formations
Source Superswell (Wikipedia)
Vine-Matthews-Morley Hypothesis, Concepts
Source Vine-Matthews-Morley Hypothesis (Wikipedia)
Will-o'-the-wisp, Phenomena

Read from this phenomenon's own Wikipedia article (Will-o'-the-wisp); earth5 pass discipline judgment: Geophysics.

Source Will-o'-the-wisp (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Geophysics (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
Quote, Lead section
a physical science concerned with the processes and properties of Earth and its surrounding space environment, studied using quantitative and observational methods
View the Source
Superswell (Wikipedia)
Includes: Superswell, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Superswell, Lead paragraph
A superswell is a large area of anomalously high topography and shallow ocean regions
View the Source
Geothermal gradient (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Geothermal Gradient, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Geothermal Gradient, Lead paragraph
Geothermal gradient is the rate of change in temperature with respect to increasing depth in Earth's interior.
View the Source
Slab Pull (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Slab Pull, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Slab Pull, Lead paragraph
Slab pull is a geophysical mechanism whereby the cooling and subsequent densifying of a subducting tectonic plate produces a downward force along the rest of the plate.
View the Source
Vine-Matthews-Morley Hypothesis (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Vine-Matthews-Morley Hypothesis, Lead sentence
Quote, Includes: Vine-Matthews-Morley Hypothesis, Lead sentence
The Vine-Matthews-Morley hypothesis, also known as the Morley-Vine-Matthews hypothesis, was the first key scientific test of the seafloor spreading theory of continental drift and plate tectonics.
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.