geophysics

American  

[jee-oh-fiz-iks] / ˌdʒi oʊˈfɪz ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the branch of geology that deals with the physics of the earth and its atmosphere, including oceanography, seismology, volcanology, and geomagnetism.

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geophysics British  

/ ˌdʒiːəʊˈfɪzɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the study of the earth's physical properties and of the physical processes acting upon, above, and within the earth. It includes seismology, geomagnetism, meteorology, and oceanography

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geophysics Scientific  

/ jē′ō-fĭz′ĭks /

1. The scientific study of the physical characteristics of the Earth, including its hydrosphere and atmosphere, and of the Earth's relationship to the rest of the universe.

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geophysics Cultural  

1. The science devoted to the study of the physical properties and processes of geological phenomena, including fields such as meteorology, oceanography, and seismology.

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Other Word Forms

• geophysical
  adjective
• geophysically
  adverb
• geophysicist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of geophysics

First recorded in 1885–90; geo- + physics

Explanation

Geophysics is the science that deals with how interactions between matter and energy — physics — affect physical properties and processes on, in, and around the planet. Geophysics is an earth science that combines elements of geology and physics. It involves understanding and analyzing many different geologic phenomena, such as Earth's magnetic field and the temperature, fluidity, and composition of Earth's layers. Geophysicists use instruments to measure things like sound waves, gravity, and magnetism. They may use seismographs to detect and record ground vibrations. The data geophysicists gather can be analyzed using mathematics to do things like map underground rock layers, locate oil and mineral deposits, or predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Example Sentences

This research shows how combining geology and geophysics can uncover hidden features beneath Antarctica and deepen our understanding of the forces shaping the planet.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026

“They need to be breakthrough exploration projects that drive scientific and societal benefit,” said newly appointed Hub director Mark Simons, a Caltech geophysics professor and former JPL chief scientist.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2024

In a recent study that Simons co-authored, Simons and his colleagues suggest that the concept of time as it pertains to geophysics could be included when determining habitability.

From Salon • Jan. 11, 2024

That “helped eliminate some hypotheses about its formation,” says marine geophysicist Gail Christeson, who is a program director for marine geology and geophysics at the National Science Foundation.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 8, 2024

By all the laws of geophysics the Sierra Nevadas should be sinking, as if into quicksand.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson