ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of geophysics

Geophysics is the study of the Earth and the way it works. It uses the principles of physics to study the Earth’s structure, its movements, and its materials. Geophysics has a long history, dating back to ancient Greece, when philosophers like Aristotle studied rocks, landforms, and earthquakes. The study of geophysics as a science developed over time as new technologies were invented. In the 17th century, Galileo Galilei used a telescope to study the movements of the planets, which helped to give us a better understanding of the universe. In the 19th century, scientists used instruments like seismometers and magnetometers to investigate the structure of the Earth’s interior. Today, geophysical methods are used to explore for oil and minerals, to measure the effects of climate change, to study how and why earthquakes happen, and to better understand how the Earth works.