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Geophysicists are scientists who combine geology and physics to study and understand the physical structure and behaviour of the Earth.
Geophysicists are scientists who combine geology and physics to study and understand the physical structure and behaviour of the Earth. If you are fascinated by the Earth's various forces - gravity, magnetic and electric fields, and the ones that move the oceans and shift tectonic plates - this could be the career for you!
But if you don't know where to start, don't worry! GoGeoGo has compiled all the information you need about the field - roles and responsibilities of a geophysicist, study and career options, and salary ranges - to help you get started.
So read on to learn all about geophysics!
Geophysics is a branch of geology concerned with understanding the origin and behaviour of the Earth. Geophysicists collect and interpret data about the Earth's surface, perform scientific research in laboratories, and conduct field studies and surveys to meet societal needs for access to groundwater, mineral resources, and environmental protection.
Simply put, geophysics is an earth science that is concerned with measuring the precise shape and size of the earth in an attempt to drive major global developments in data management, computation, processing, visualization, and more.
It measures physical properties and associated anomalies using tools such as maps, radar, GPS, Remote Sensing, GIS etc. that are useful for resource exploration, environmental and climate studies, archaeology, and disaster prediction and monitoring.
The information gathered by geophysicists has many applications in everyday life, such as determining the safety and stability of buildings in infrastructure engineering or identifying ore-rich and economically viable mining sites.
A career in geophysics requires knowledge and skills in physics and the ability to apply them to the earth sciences. Most geophysicists are employed by oil and gas companies and government agencies. Experts in a variety of methods, from gravity to seismic, electrical, and magnetic, some typical geophysicist roles include
Similar to geologists, geophysicists are employed in a variety of job titles in a variety of industries. For example, geophysicists interested in archaeology or the environment may work as surveyors in these fields. Similarly, there are jobs for geophysicists in hydrology, oceanology, meteorology, climatology, and physical oceanography, among others.
Most of these jobs have a strong aspect of conducting seismic exploration and can be combined with other services such as consulting, research, investigation, etc.
Some examples of titles to look for include
As you may have figured out by now, geophysics is an inherently scientific field. To pursue a career in this field, you will need a university degree in physics, mathematics, engineering, geophysics, geoscience, or other related fields. Germany offers excellent programs in geophysics at the university level.
While there are several master's programs that focus on geophysics, it is often studied in combination with a related field such as geoinformatics, meteorology, or seismology at the bachelor's level.
Most master's programs invite students from various backgrounds, including physics, mathematics, geosciences, and engineering. Taught in English at some of Germany's leading universities, these programs are four semesters long, highly research-oriented, and have a strong emphasis on teaching modeling and simulation.
Most of these programs offer a specialisation in seismology, geomagnetism, and related fields, and it is not uncommon for students to pursue a Ph.D. after completing their master's degree.
The key skills students are expected to take away from these degrees are strong analytical and critical thinking skills, good IT skills, an affinity for numbers and data, attention to detail, report writing and presentation skills, and teamwork.
To specialise in an area of interest, students study several interdisciplinary modules during their degree, such as
They can also choose from a range of electives such as Scientific Programming, Introduction to Earth Sciences, and Tools and Trends in Geophysical Research, to name a few. In addition to taking these courses at the university, students also have the option of exploring online certifications in seismic tomography, geoscience, earthquake engineering, etc. from platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and edX to upgrade their skills and gain a competitive edge among their peers.
Geophysics is a rapidly growing field with an increasing global focus on renewable energy, environmental protection, and better management of natural resources. As we briefly discussed above, a degree in geophysics opens many doors professionally.
You could work in the field, recording seismic activity, or in the office, using computer models to evaluate the Earth's surface. You could work for the government or in the private sector for oil, gas, and mining companies.
Geophysics has often gone hand in hand with meteorology, which used to be a sub-discipline of the subject but later became a separate field of study. Meteorology is a science primarily concerned with the Earth's atmosphere and how various atmospheric processes determine the Earth's weather and climate. Geophysics, on the other hand, studies the physical structure of the Earth and its internal processes.
Although they are separate and independent fields, meteorology and geophysics are often studied together, especially at the undergraduate level, to provide a comprehensive overview of the Earth from its core to its crust to its atmosphere and all the processes involved.
Geophysicists have a starting salary of around 34,000 € which goes up to about 77,000 € with higher qualifications such as a master’s or doctorate and more years of work experience.
Geophysics is an earth science that combines physics and geology, and has recently gained popularity due to its highly relevant applications in the energy, natural resources, climate, and environmental sectors.
Geophysicists are primarily involved in collecting and interpreting data about the Earth's surface, related processes, and their anomalies to better serve societal needs such as clean groundwater, minerals, etc. Geophysics is widely studied at universities across the country and has career prospects in a wide range of fields such as archaeology, climatology, oceanology and hydrology.
If this article has got you convinced, head over to GoGeoGo now to find your dream job in the field of geophysics!
Can geophysicists contribute to space exploration?
Geophysicists have great potential to contribute to space exploration. They can use similar tools and techniques to study the structure, physical properties, and processes of other objects in space as they do on Earth.
Does geophysics have any applications in forensic sciences?
Although not a primary tool, geophysicists can assist forensic scientists in certain cases involving the location and excavation of buried objects beneath the earth's surface.
How can one pursue a career in geophysics without a traditional university degree?
Although there are excellent programs in geophysics at the university level, it is not uncommon to enter the field through non-traditional routes. People with backgrounds in physics, mathematics, or related fields also find their way into the field fairly easily, as long as they have demonstrated an interest and passion for the geosciences. Finally, one can also explore relevant online certifications to upgrade their skills along with internships to get started in the field.
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