Geophysics, the study of the earth by quantitative physical methods, especially by seismic reflection and refraction, gravity, magnetic, electrical, electromagnetic, and radioactivity methods.
It includes the branches of:
Exploration geophysics is the use of seismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical and electromagnetic, etc., methods in the search for oil, gas, minerals, water, etc., with the objective of economic exploitation. The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (seg.org) has the most recent update of the sciences and technologies of exploration geophysics. (See also petroleum geology).