Geophysics and seismology programs teach people to solve geologic problems using physics and math. Students learn about electrical, magnetic, radioactive, and gravitational measurements. They also learn geophysical techniques for locating natural resources. In addition, they study environmental hazards such as earthquakes.
"I feel the earth move under my feet," could be the theme song for geophysics. Earth's rigid outer shell is divided into big pieces called tectonic plates. These plates float on hotter, softer rocks in Earth's mantle or center. Did you know that these plates move between 0.4 and four inches a year? You can't usually feel it or see it, but geophysicists can measure it. Sometimes we can feel the plates move, especially at their boundaries where they collide and cause earthquakes and volcanoes.
Seismology can give a pretty good picture of what is going on deep inside the Earth. Basically, it is all about seismic waves or vibration waves. These vibrations can occur naturally from earthquakes. Sometimes scientists create them by sending energy into the ground to see how it bounces off underground layers. Geophysicists who explore for oil, natural gas, minerals, and groundwater do this. You can also use these techniques in other situations, such as looking for sunken treasures deep below the ocean or finding abandoned oil tanks that can contaminate soil.
As you study geophysics, you learn to measure and analyze many things about Earth that human senses cannot even detect. For instance, you learn to measure Earth's magnetic field and its radioactivity. Or you might measure small changes in the shape and motion of the Earth. Why are all these tiny measurements useful? By analyzing little measurements, you can understand big events - earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanoes, and landslides.
About 45 colleges in the U.S. offer a bachelor's degree in geophysics. These programs take four or five years of full-time study beyond high school. Be prepared for a lot of math, physics, and computer science. Some programs are based on general geophysics. Others emphasize hydrology (the study of water's relationship with the environment), environmental studies, or exploration geophysics.
An advanced degree may let you specialize more. In addition, most jobs in this field require at least a master's degree. It takes about six years beyond high school to complete a master's degree program. A Ph.D. in geophysics may take an additional two to three years. About 30 universities offer a master's degree, and about the same number of universities offer a Ph.D.
During graduate school, most students choose to specialize in a particular area such as:
• Seismology - interprets data from seismographs and other instruments to detect earthquakes and locate faults
• Exploration Geophysics - processes and interprets data produced by remote sensing satellites or by seismic technology to help identify oil, gas, and mineral deposits
• Geodesy - studies the size and shape of the Earth, gravitational fields, tides, polar motion, and rotation