Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term

Geophysics & Environmental Physics

10 terms


A–Z
All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Filtering by: Geophysics & Environmental Physics Starts with G Clear all
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Geoid

The hypothetical shape of Earth's surface defined by an equipotential surface of Earth's gravity field matching mean ocean sea level in the…

Equipotential Surface V_gravity = Constant Meters (Geoid Undulation Height)
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Geomagnetic Reversal

A major planetary event during which Earth's magnetic field undergoes a complete polarity flip, swapping magnetic North and South poles.

Reversal Interval ~ 200,000 to 300,000 years Geologic Time Interval
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Geomagnetic Storm

A major temporary disturbance of Earth's magnetosphere caused by solar wind shockwaves or Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).

Dst Index < -50 nT (Distortion of Equatorial Ring Current) nT (Nanoteslas, Dst / Kp Index)
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Geomagnetism

The scientific study of Earth's magnetic field, its internal origin in the liquid outer core, spatial variations, and temporal fluctuations.

B_geo = ∇ × A (Geodynamo Induction: ∂B/∂t = ∇ × (v × B) + η ∇²B) μT (Microteslas, ~30–60 μT at surface)
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Geostrophic Wind

A theoretical atmospheric wind resulting from a exact balance between the horizontal Pressure Gradient Force and the Coriolis acceleration…

v_g = (1 / (2 ρ Ω sin φ)) (dP / dn) = (1 / f ρ) ∇P m/s (Wind Velocity)
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Geothermal Gradient

The rate at which Earth's interior temperature increases with increasing depth below the surface.

q = -k (dT / dz) (Heat Flux = Conductivity × Gradient) °C/km or K/km
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Glaciology

The scientific study of glaciers, ice sheets, snow, and all natural ice phenomena in the cryosphere.

Glen's Flow Law: ε̇ = A τ^n (Non-linear ice creep) m/year (Glacier Flow Velocity)
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Gravimetry

The precise measurement of spatial and temporal variations in Earth's gravitational acceleration field.

g_observed = g_theoretical + Δg_FreeAir - Δg_Bouguer + Δg_Terrain mGal (Milligals = 10⁻⁵ m/s²)
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Greenhouse Effect

The thermodynamic warming process by which atmospheric greenhouse gases absorb outgoing infrared terrestrial radiation and re-emit it in…

T_surface = T_effective (1 + ¾ τ_IR)^(1/4) (Radiative Equilibrium) °C or Kelvin (Warming Effect)
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Gutenberg Discontinuity

The major geophysical boundary located at a depth of ~2,890 km marking the sharp transition between Earth's solid mantle and liquid outer…

Depth z ≈ 2890 km (Core-Mantle Boundary D'' Layer) km (Boundary Depth)