How to become a Geophysicist
Also called: Geodesist, Geodesist surveyor, Geomagnetician, Geophysical oceanographer, Hydrologist, Hydrometrist, Seismologist, Volcanologist, Geodesist, Geophysical oceanographer, Hydrologist, Seismologist
Geophysicist conducts research into the physical nature of the Earth, including its atmosphere and hydrosphere, to increase scientific knowledge and to develop practical applications in such fields as radio communications, navigation, flood control, soil and water conservation, water supply and power, drainage and irrigation, volcanology and mineral exploration. He/she investigates and measures seismic, gravitational, electrical, thermal and magnetic forces affecting Earth and optical and acoustic phenomena in the atmosphere. He/she studies the structure of rock formations to locate mineral, gas and oil deposits using physical and electrical testing instruments such as seismograph and magnetometer.
Main tasks
- Conducting research and improving or developing concepts, theories and operational methods related to geology and geophysics
- Interpreting research data and preparing geological reports, maps, charts and diagrams, reports and papers
- Using various remote sensing programmes to investigate and measure seismic, gravitational, electrical, thermal, and magnetic forces affecting the Earth
- Estimating weight, size and mass of the Earth and composition and structure of its interior, and studying the nature, activity and predictability of volcanoes, glaciers and earthquakes
- Charting the Earth’s magnetic field and applying this and other collected data for broadcasting, navigation and other purposes
- Studying and measuring physical properties of seas and the atmosphere and their inter-relationship, such as the exchange of thermal energy
- Locating and determining the nature and extent of oil, gas and mineral deposits using seismological, gravimetric, magnetic, electrical or radiometric methods
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 4 universities in Singapore
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Geophysicist?
Ways in include: Science degrees.
Will AI change the work of a Geophysicist?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026