Geophysics is the branch of science that investigates the physical structure of the Earth and other planets, the behavior of the Earth, and earthquakes. It is concerned with the exploration of subsurface resources such as groundwater, petroleum, natural gas, mineral deposits, and geothermal fields, as well as the detection of archaeological and cultural remains. Geophysics also contributes to engineering projects and urban site selection by applying the principles of physics, mathematics, and geology to understand, image, and analyze the subsurface, and to determine the dynamic processes of the Earth.
Geophysical science encompasses a variety of methods developed based on the differing physical properties of rocks and Earth materials. These include Seismology, Seismic, Gravity, Magnetic, Electrical, Electromagnetic, Radiometric, and Geothermal methods, among others.