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geophysics
geophysics study of the structure, composition, and dynamic changes of the earth , its atmosphere , hydrosphere and magnetosphere, based on the principles of physics . The term was probably first used in Germany, where it appeared in scientific writings of the mid-19th cent. Geophysics, which embraces the concepts, data, and methods of various other sciences, is very broad in scope. For example, geology , meteorology, hydrology, oceanography , and seismology all enter into geophysical studies, with many of them overlapping (e.g., meteorology and oceanography in the study of possible global warming). Most techniques for locating subsurface petroleum, mineral deposits, and water supplies are reliant upon applied geophysics, including the use of seismic and electrical measurements at shallow depths and gravimetric, magnetic, and radiometric surveys at ground stations and in airplanes. Information is then correlated with visible surface features, subsurface conditions are inferred, and boreholes are drilled to determine the extent and richness of promising areas. Geophysics also is used to understand the interactions of the atmosphere and hydrosphere, including how certain anomalies in the ocean's circulation affect the atmosphere. Magnetosphere studies in geophysics concentrate on the magnetic field around the earth. Other geophysical studies are more specific, i.e. selenophysics, or the physics of the moon. Recent flyby spacecraft have accumulated extensive physical data, allowing geophysicists to theorize, by analogy to geophysical earth studies, about the underlying structures, atmospheres, and magnetospheres of other planets and satellites in the solar system. |
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"geophysics." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "geophysics." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-geophysi.html "geophysics." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-geophysi.html |
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geophysics
ge·o·phys·ics / ˌjēōˈfiziks/ • pl. n. [treated as sing.] the physics of the earth. DERIVATIVES: ge·o·phys·i·cal / -ˈfizikəl/ adj. ge·o·phys·i·cist / -ˈfizisist/ n. |
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"geophysics." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "geophysics." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-geophysics.html "geophysics." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-geophysics.html |
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geophysics
geophysics Study of the characteristic physical properties of the Earth as a whole system. It uses parts of chemistry, geology, astronomy, seismology, meteorology, and many other disciplines. From the study of seismic waves, geophysicists deduced the Earth's interior structure.
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"geophysics." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "geophysics." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-geophysics.html "geophysics." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-geophysics.html |
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geophysics
geophysics The science concerned with all aspects of the physical properties and processes of the Earth and planetary bodies and their interpretation, including, for example, seismology, gravity, magnetism, heat flow, and geochronology.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "geophysics." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "geophysics." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-geophysics.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "geophysics." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-geophysics.html |
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Geophysics
Geophysics. See Earth Sciences.
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Paul S. Boyer. "Geophysics." The Oxford Companion to United States History. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. Paul S. Boyer. "Geophysics." The Oxford Companion to United States History. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O119-Geophysics.html Paul S. Boyer. "Geophysics." The Oxford Companion to United States History. 2001. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O119-Geophysics.html |
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