Geophysics is a branch of earth sciences, which studies about earth by quantitative physical methods particularly by radioactivity, electromagnetic and seismic methods. The techniques and theories of geophysics are employed extensively in the planetary sciences in general. As the name implies, geophysics involves usage of physical measurements and theories to discover the properties of earth.

The discipline dates to antiquity particularly as a scientific approach to prediction of earthquake, but development of discipline began in the late 1500s with fundamental work in areas like gravity and magnetism. Great progress in instrumentation in the early years of 20th century brought about great development to the field of geophysics and thereby led to the theory of plate tectonics in 1960s.

Sub-fields in geophysics:

Plate Tectonics is a study of interior structure of the earth and related areas as regional and global processes are collectively known as solid earth geophysics. The subdivision called as exploration geophysics deals with the usage of instrumentation and geophysical theory for locating petroleum and other mineral sources. Unlike solid earth geophysics, exploration geophysics normally concentrates on identifying lateral heterogeneities in a relatively small part of the crust of earth.

Educational courses pertaining to geophysics in India:

Some of the major institutions geophysics courses in India are:

• Osmania University, Hyderabad

• University of Roorkee

• Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad

• IIT, Kharagpur

• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

• Andhra University

Geophysics education begin in India almost simultaneously in the Banaras Hindu University and Andhra University in the year 1949. In Andhra University, Geophysics education is offered in the form of B. Sc and later M. Sc course was introduced in disciplines like physics of the earth’s interior, Marine Geophysics and meteorology & oceanography. At Banaras Hindu University, geophysics education is offered through its geology department. University of Roorkee offers M. Tech in geophysics and Osmania University offers M. Tech in geophysics. The Indian School of Mines is offering specialized courses in petroleum exploration learning to M. Tech.

Career in Geophysics:

Geophysicists are involved in the field of investigation, collection of data from instruments placed below the surface of the earth and from satellites hundreds of kilometers above the surface of the earth and processing of data and analysis with the help of some of the most potent supercomputers in the world. The long range forecast for employment opportunities in the field of geophysics is very good, specifically since exploration geophysics degrees incorporate diverse fields of study and practical field of experience as well.

Government jobs in Geophysics:

When it comes to government jobs in India, Geophysicists are mainly employed by the NGRI and the ONGC. Over the past three and half years, NGRI has earned great reputation with excellent research programs and development in earth sciences that has provided the advantage of its technological and scientific prowess for the well-being of the people of the nation. Geophysicists can  also find job placement in government-run universities and colleges for offering education in the discipline of geophysics. Recently, the Singareni Collieries Co. Ltd hired candidates for the position of Geophysics trainees.

Therefore, geophysics is a field that offers very good job prospects with good play scale in government organizations in India.