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- There are a lot of different
ways to describe geophysics.
Some people think of
it as geo and physics,
so the application of physics to geology,
and that's part of it.
- Geophysics is kind
of what it sounds like.
It's geology and physics.
So what we do mostly is look
for anomalies or contrasts
in physical properties
underneath the subsurface,
and we kinda tie that in with
geological interpretations.
- I think one of the
most popular analogies
to describe geophysics to those
who aren't familiar with it
is the medical imaging analogy.
- An MRI of the Earth,
in other words, seeing the unseen,
looking beneath the surface,
seeing things beneath the surface
that we can't see from above.
- I actually did try out
a lot of different majors
before I chose geophysics,
but I was really interested in geophysics
because it's a very broad subject.
- So we're a hybrid discipline
made up of a variety
of different subjects,
and we try to prepare the students
kinda deeply and broadly with a foundation
that'll enable them
throughout their career
to go in a variety of
different directions.
- You can do seismology,
oil and gas exploration,
you can find water sources,
you can work with volcanoes.
- So the great thing about geophysics is
it's this great blend of geology,
mathematics, physics,
and computer sciences,
so if a student has a
curiosity in all of those
and doesn't want to just focus on one,
then geophysics is a great place to start.
- So I think for geophysics,
you really need to like math.
You need to like physics
and earth science.
You don't necessarily
need to be good at it
but you need to be ready to learn
and ready work really hard.
- You really have to be in tune with
the mathematical side of your brain.
It's a lot of equations, a lot of,
not just the equations, not
just applying equations,
you have to understand how
to apply the equations,
you have to understand
what it means in real life.
- Normally, a geophysicist
is part of a team,
and it's a team that
consists of the geophysicist
and a geologist and a geochemist,
maybe a petroleum engineer
or drilling engineer.
We're always working
with other disciplines
and providing what we're expert at
to fit into what other
people bring to the table
in order to solve the important problems.
- So after graduation, I'm
excited for more school, I guess.
I'm excited to move from
an undergraduate position,
where I'm learning
everything from experts,
to being an expert.
- You ask when I was a freshman,
you ask me what was my plan,
I was like, oh, I'm in Colorado
to get my geophysics degree
and go home to work in the oil industry.
Sophomore year was, okay,
I'm here to get my undergrad degree,
then I'll do my masters,
then I'll go home.
Junior year, and up til now,
like I am not leaving Colorado.
I'm not ready to leave Mines at all,
and so I hope to stay here
to do my masters degree.
- I think the most important
thing that I learned at Mines
is to value the education
that we're getting here
because it's a very unique experience,
and not a lot of people are able to
have that kind of an experience
and get this kind of an education,
and it's really special.
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