Geofysisch

Geofysisch, or geophysics in English, is the science that studies the physical properties and processes of the Earth and its surroundings by using the methods and principles of physics. The field aims to understand the Earth’s interior structure, dynamics, and surface expressions by measuring and interpreting phenomena such as gravity, magnetic fields, seismic waves, heat flow, and electrical properties.

Geophysics encompasses several subfields and techniques. Key areas include seismology, which analyzes seismic waves to probe the crust and mantle; gravimetry and geomagnetism, which map variations in the Earth’s gravity and magnetic fields; and electrical and electromagnetic methods, used to image subsurface features. Geodesy, geothermal research, and environmental or hydrogeophysics apply geophysical methods to measure Earth’s shape, heat flow, and water resources. Data are collected through ground surveys, boreholes, aerial and satellite instruments, and then interpreted with forward modeling and inverse methods to infer subsurface properties.

Applications of geophysics are diverse. In natural resource exploration, geophysics helps locate oil, gas, and mineral deposits. In hazard assessment, it contributes to earthquake studies, volcanic research, and monitoring of geohazards. Environmental monitoring, groundwater assessment, civil engineering investigations, and archaeology also benefit from geophysical techniques. Geophysics also extends to planetary science, where similar physical methods are used to study other planets and bodies.

The field has evolved from early measurements in the 19th and early 20th centuries to a mature discipline that integrates advanced instrumentation, computation, and remote sensing to reveal the Earth’s hidden structure and processes.