The students will learn what is Geophysics, what are its areas of application, as well as the profile and tasks for a geophysicist. The students will learn how Geophysics combines mathematics, physics and geology to characterize Earth´s processes, structure and composition. The students will review the basic mathematical concepts, as well as the mathematical description of physical processes such as wave propagation, gravitational acceleration, current conduction, and electromagnetism. The students will get familiar with the methods used in Geophysics to quantify natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, groundwater flow and mass movements. By the end of the course the students will acquire the knowledge to apply geophysical methods based on natural sources, - seismology, magnetometry, gravimetry, spontaneous potential and magneto-telluric surveys, - for the characterization of earth interior and the prospection of natural resources, such as water and metallic ores. The students will be able to use state-of-the-art software to localize earthquake´s epicenter and quantify its magnitude. Following the introduction to potential methods, the students should understand the characteristics of gravitational and geomagnetic fields.
Basic concepts for Geophysics
Seismology and the structure of the Earth
Gravitational field and the shape of the Earth
Geomagnetic field
Electric and Electromagnetic fields
