Article
Article
Geophysics
Article By:
Howell, Benjamin F., Jr. Department of Geological Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.
Last reviewed:November 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.287300
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The study of the Earth’s physical properties using the principles and practices of physics. Geophysics is distinguished from geology by its use of instruments to make direct and indirect measurements of the phenomena being studied in contrast to the more direct observations of geology. A few examples of geophysical instrumentation are seismometers, tiltmeters, creepmeters, strainmeters, gravimeters, magnetometers, as well as resistivity meters and other electromagnetic and magnetotelluric instrumentation (see illustration). See also: Earth; Geology; Geoelectricity; Magnetometer; Seismographic instrumentation
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