• What is geophysics?
• Geophysical characteristics
• Object of study of geophysics
• Geophysics application
• Branches of geophysics

We explain what geophysics is, its object of study, application and other characteristics. Also, what are its branches.

Geophysics uses observable phenomena to understand the inaccessible interior of the planet.

What is geophysics?

Geophysics is one of the main branches of Earth Sciences, which undertakes the geological study of our planet from a physical point of view. That is, it deals with the study of all phenomena related to the terrestrial structure, the physical conditions of the planet or the history of its formation and evolution.

Is a discipline eminently experimental, which employs quantitative methods for him analysis of seismic waves and other natural phenomena, as the gravity, the electromagnetism and terrestrial radioactivity, among other aspects of our planet. Its objective is to achieve the fullest understanding of the physical systems that exist in and around it.

Geophysical characteristics

Geophysics is a exact science, which uses the scientific method. They usually go to other disciplines in search of knowledge and tools to carry out their studies. However, most of the specific study objects of geophysics are unattainable and invisible, thus preventing direct analysis by scientists, for example the interior of the planet.

That is why they study phenomena such as seismic waves that, indirectly, speak of the geophysical nature of the Earth. In other cases they take observations of related disciplines to establish links of similarity with their own, such as astrophysics and astronomy, because when studying other planets of Solar system, data relevant to the study of ours can be obtained.

Object of study of geophysics

Geophysics studies atmospheric phenomena such as the northern lights.

Geophysics is interested in the study and understanding of the physical system of the planet, emphasizing its geological considerations, such as its interior composition, but also attending to its exterior: the atmosphere and hydrosphere, for example, and their respective processes of exchange of matter Y Energy. Broadly speaking, we can define their fields of study as:

• Study of the variations of the terrestrial gravity.
• Study of the Earth crust and of the seismic phenomena of its interior.
• Study of atmospheric physics and especially the bombardment of solar radiation against the magnetosphere.
• Study of the flow of electricity on the geosphere and the atmosphere.
• Study of the thermal properties of the Earth, as well as the displacement of heat inside.
• The interconnection fields of all the previous points.

Geophysics application

Geophysics offers the human being a varied range of possible applications of their knowledge, especially those related to seismological nature: the possibility of preventing, identifying and studying earthquakes and earthquakes.

In this sense, understanding the tectonic dynamics of the lithosphere and its cycles is a knowledge key to the world's seismic tracking services. It is also useful for different branches of geological engineering and mineralogy, the latter with a significant economic impact in many latitudes of the planet.

Branches of geophysics

Geophysics consists of two different branches, which are:

• Internal geophysics. Interested in the study of the interior of planet Earth, she also understands the following fields of knowledge, among others:
  • Seismology. Or the study of movements tectonics and seismic waves in the subsoil.
  • Geothermometry. Or the study of the propagation of heat inside the planet.
  • Geodynamics. Or the study of the interaction of tectonic forces and the deformations that they cause on the lithosphere and the Earth's mantle.
  • Tectonophysics. Or the study of tectonic dynamics and Continental drift.
  • Volcanology Or the study of volcanoes, lava and magma.
• External geophysics. Interested in studying the outside of the planet, that is, the terrestrial environment. It includes the following fields of knowledge, among others:
  • Geomagnetism. Or the study of magnetic field terrestrial (magnetosphere).
  • Paleomagnetism. Or the historical study of the magnetosphere.
  • Gravimetry. Or the study of the gravitational varieties of the planet.
  • Oceanology Or the study of oceans on all its possible scales.
  • Aeronomy. Or the study of the upper layers of the atmosphere.
  • Climatology. Or the study of the meteorological and climatic dynamics of the planet.