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geophysicist

geophysicist

5 7.8
A scientist who studies how the Earth works below and on the surface using physics
  • noun
  • /ˌdʒiːoʊˈfɪzɪsɪst/
  • Specialized
translation icon : geofísico
  • A geophysicist analyzes data from seismic waves to understand the Earth's structure.
  • geophysicists measure

Now look, I'm not a geophysicist, but I find this idea extremely implausible.

Examples

  • A self-exciting natural dynamo was, at the time, widely thought to violate Lenz's law," explains Johns Hopkins geophysicist Peter Olson.

    Academic text (2006)
  • From the evidence found on the Moon, geophysicists can extrapolate a picture of the early history of the four terrestrial planets.

    Academic text (2003)
  • I'll throw one thing out that concerns me as a geophysicist.

    Blog text (28)
  • Now look, I'm not a geophysicist, but I find this idea extremely implausible.

  • Below, project geophysicist Alan Witten drops a hammer on a metal plate to send sound waves into the ground.

    Academic text (2004)
  • During the 1950s, American geophysicist Marion King Hubbert set out to learn how much petroleum remained in the lower 48 states.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Like the rest of us, he and other geophysicists saw disturbing images of thousands of bodies floating in the devastation from the tsunami.

    Academic text (2006)
  • What you really need is an understanding of the Earth's resources, by agronomists, geologists, geophysicists - people who study the Earth.

  • Preparatory to testing a hydrogen bomb there, the U.S. government sent geophysicists to drill test cores of the coral deeper than anyone had previously done.

    Academic text (2009)
  • In 1994, the Helike Project and geophysicists from the University of Patras made a magnetic survey near the present-day village of Eliki.

    Academic text (2004)

Synonyms

geoscientist
vsgeophysicist
1 6.0

A scientist who studies the Earth, its rocks, land, and events like earthquakes and volcanoes

focuses on physical study using physics methods rather than broader Earth topics
geodynamicist
vsgeophysicist
  • Specialized
9.9

A scientist who studies the forces and movements inside the Earth that shape its surface

uses physics methods to study the Earth's physical properties and processes

How Specialized

geodynamicist
  • Specialized
9.9
geophysicist
  • Specialized
5 7.8
geologist
  • Specialized
69 3.5
geoscientist
1 6.0
scientist
2.1

Surface Forms

geophysicist singular
geophysicists plural

Morphology

geophysicist = geophysics (semi-transparent) = geo + physics + ist

Adding '-ist' to a field name regularly forms the person who practices or studies that field.

Etymology

Geophysicist joins geo- meaning 'earth', seen in geography, and physicist from physics meaning 'study of matter and energy'. So a geophysicist is a scientist who studies the Earth's physical parts and forces.