Fun88乐天堂

Overview

The ground may pretty feel solid to you, but there鈥檚 a lot happening under your feet! The Earth鈥檚 outer shell is divided into huge sections called tectonic plates, which float on the hotter, softer rocks of Earth鈥檚 mantle, or center. Every year, these plates move between 0.4 and 4 inches a year. How do we know? Geophysics.

Geophysics is the study of the physical characteristics of Earth and other planets. As a geophysics major, you鈥檒l develop a strong background in physics, mathematics, Earth sciences, and computer science. You鈥檒l also learn to recognize and measure the subtle features and movements of Earth that human senses cannot detect. You鈥檒l be trained in how to take electrical, magnetic, radioactive, and gravitational measurements. These techniques are used by geophysicists to explore for oil, natural gas, minerals, and groundwater. They鈥檙e also used in the related field of seismology, the study of earthquakes. The small measurements geophysicists take of the shape, motion, and energy of the Earth are used to understand big geologic events, like tidal waves, volcanoes, landslides, and of course鈥攅arthquakes.