1. n. [Geophysics]

The study of the physics of the Earth, especially its electrical, gravitational and magnetic fields and propagation of elastic (seismic) waves within it. Geophysics plays a critical role in the petroleum industry because geophysical data are used by exploration and development personnel to make predictions about the presence, nature and size of subsurface hydrocarbon accumulations.

See: acoustic,  gravity,  magnetics,  seismic,  seismic wave