Outline of geophysics

Seismic velocities and boundaries in the interior of the Earth sampled by seismic waves.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to geophysics: Geophysics the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and composition; its dynamics and their surface expression in plate tectonics, the generation of magmas, volcanism and rock formation. However, modern geophysics organizations have a broader definition that includes the hydrological cycle including snow and ice; fluid dynamics of the oceans and the atmosphere; electricity and magnetism in the ionosphere and magnetosphere and solar-terrestrial relations; and analogous problems associated with the Moon and other planets. Contents 1 Nature of geophysics 2 Branches of geophysics 3 History of geophysics 4 General geophysics concepts 4.1 Gravity 4.2 Heat flow 4.3 Electricity 4.4 Electromagnetic waves 4.5 Fluid dynamics 4.6 Magnetism 4.7 Radioactivity 4.8 Mineral physics 4.9 Vibration 5 Closely allied sciences 5.1 Atmospheric sciences 5.2 Geology 5.3 Engineering 5.4 Water on the Earth 6 Society 6.1 Influential persons 6.2 Organizations 6.3 Publications 7 Geophysics lists 8 See also 9 External links

1 Nature of geophysics
Geophysics can be described as all of the following: An academic discipline branch of knowledge that is taught and researched at the college or university level. Disciplines are defined (in part), and recognized by the academic journals in which research is published, and the learned societies and academic departments or faculties to which their practitioners belong. A scientific field (a branch of science) widely-recognized category of specialized expertise within science, and typically embodies its own terminology and nomenclature. Such a field will usually be represented by one or more scientific journals, where peer reviewed research is published. There are several geophysics-related scientific journals. A natural science one that seeks to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world using empirical and scientific methods. A physical science one that studies non-living systems. An earth science one that studies the plant Earth and its surroundings. o A branch of geology study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change. Geology can also refer generally to the study of the solid features of any celestial body (such as the geology of the Moon or Mars). A biological science one that studies the effect of organisms on their physical environment. An interdisciplinary field one that overlaps atmospheric sciences, geology, glaciology, hydrology, oceanography and physics.

2. Branches of geophysics
Biogeophysics study of how plants, microbial activity and other organisms alter geologic materials and affect geophysical signatures. Exploration geophysics the use of surface methods to detect concentrations of ore minerals and hydrocarbons. Geophysical fluid dynamics study of naturally occurring, large-scale flows on Earth and other planets. Geodesy measurement and representation of the Earth, including its gravitational field. Geodynamics study of modes of transport deformation within the Earth: rock deformation, mantle convection, heat flow, and lithosphere dynamics.

 Geomagnetism study of the Earth's magnetic field, including its origin, telluric currents driven by the magnetic field, the Van Allen belts, and the interaction between the magnetosphere and the solar wind. Mathematical geophysics development and applications of mathematical methods and techniques for the solution of geophysical problems. Mineral physics science of materials that compose the interior of planets, particularly the Earth. Near-surface geophysics the use of geophysical methods to investigate small-scale features in the shallow (tens of meters) subsurface. Paleomagnetism measurement of the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field over the geologic past. Seismology study of the structure and composition of the Earth through seismic waves, and of surface deformations during earthquakes and seismic hazards. Tectonophysics study of the physical processes that cause and result from plate tectonics.

3. History of geophysics.
History of geomagnetism Timeline of the development of tectonophysics Vine-Matthews-Morley hypothesis

4. General geophysics concepts

Gravity[edit] Main article: Gravity of Earth Bouguer anomaly Geoid Geopotential Gravity anomaly Undulation of the geoid Heat flow] Internal heating Electricity[edit] Atmospheric electricity[edit] Main article: Atmospheric electricity Lightning Sprite (lightning) Electricity in Earth] Electrical resistivity tomography Induced polarization Seismoelectrical method Spectral induced polarisation Spontaneous potential Telluric current Electromagnetic waves] Alfvn wave Dawn chorus (electromagnetic) Hiss (electromagnetic) Magnetotellurics Seismo-electromagnetics Transient electromagnetics Whistler (radio) Fluid dynamics[edit] Main article: Geophysical fluid dynamics Isostasy Post-glacial rebound Mantle convection Geodynamo Magnetism] Geomagnetism subfields[edit] Environmental magnetism Magnetostratigraphy Paleomagnetism Rock magnetism Earth's magnetic field Main article: Earth's magnetic field Description[edit] Geomagnetic pole Magnetic declination Magnetic inclination North Magnetic Pole South Magnetic Pole Sources] Geodynamo Magnetic anomaly Magnetosphere Short-term changes Secular variation Geomagnetic secular variation Geomagnetic jerk Long term behavior] Apparent polar wander Geomagnetic excursion Geomagnetic pole Geomagnetic reversal Geomagnetic secular variation Polar wander True polar wander Magnetostratigraphy Archaeomagnetic dating Chron Magnetostratigraphy Superchron (currently redirected to Geomagnetic reversal#Moyero Reversed Superchron) Rock magnetism Magnetic mineralogy Natural remanent magnetization Saturation isothermal remanence Thermoremanent magnetization Viscous remanent magnetization Tectonic applications] Plate reconstruction Magnetic survey] Aeromagnetic survey Geophysical survey Magnetic survey (archaeology) Magnetometer Radioactivity[edit] Age of the Earth Geochronology Radiometric dating Mineral physics Main article: Mineral physics Creep Elasticity Melting Rheology Thermal expansion Viscosity Vibration Earthquake a motion that causes seismic waves. Aftershock follows larger earthquake. Blind thrust along a thrust fault that does not show on the Earth's surface. Foreshock precedes larger earthquake. Harmonic tremor longduration, with distinct frequencies, associated with a volcanic eruption. Interplate at the boundary between two tectonic plates. Intraplate in the interior of a tectonic plate. Megathrust at subduction zones Remotely triggered earthquakes after main shock but outside the aftershock zone. Slow over a period of hours to months. Submarine under a body of water. Supershear rupture propagates faster than seismic shear wave velocity.

Tsunami triggers a tsunami. Seismic waves P S Surface Love Raleigh Reflection seismology Seismic refraction Seismic tomography Structure of the Earth