Geophysics

Geophysics is a field of natural science relating to the physical processes and physical properties of the Earth and its surrounding space environment and the use of quantitative methods to analyze them. Often, the term geophysics applies only to geological applications: the shape of the Earth; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and composition; its dynamics and surface expression in plate tectonics, magma production, volcanism and rock formation. Geophysics is applied to public needs such as mineral resources , natural hazard mitigation and environmental protection. Geophysical survey data are used in exploration geophysics to evaluate possible petroleum reserves and mineral deposits, locate groundwater, classify archeological artifacts, estimate the thickness of glaciers and soils, and assess environmental remediation sites.