Geophysics Collection (#5)

Laser beam fired into the night sky
A laser beam is fired into the night sky from an observatory on the island of Maui, Hawaii, as part of a programme of research on crustal geodynamics

Automonous underwater vehicle (Autosub)
Autosub, an automonous underwater vehicle owned by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), being launched in Antarctic waters

Autonomous underwater vehicle (Autosub)
Autosub, an autonomous underwater vehicle owned by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), being launched in Antarctic waters

Otto Schmidt, Soviet geophysicist
Otto Yulievich Schmidt (1891-1956), Soviet geophysicist and polar explorer. Schmidt is famous for his explorations of the Arctic

Aleksei Treshnikov, Arctic explorer
Aleksei Treshnikov (right, 1914-1991), Soviet Arctic explorer, with a companion in the Arctic. In his youth, Treshnikov participated in a Soviet expedition to the North Pole (1948)

Soviet North Pole-1 station crew, 1939
Soviet North Pole-1 station crew members. Seated at left is Ivan Papanin (1894-1986), expedition leader and Arctic explorer. Seated at centre is Ernst Krenkel (1903-1971), radio operator

Antarctic research
MODEL RELEASED. Antarctic research. British Antarctic Survey scientist measuring local gravity prior to undertaking an aerial geophysical survey

Lava flow and vent
Lava flow. Night time view of lava flowing from a small vent on Etna. This vent is a hornito, a relatively small outlet which is normally only throws out lava bombs

House and lava flow
House caught in lava flow. View of a house surrounded by lava from Mount Etna. The lava flow has reached as high as the roof

Lava flow at night. Night view of a bright lava flow on the flanks of Etna. The lights in the background reveal the city of Catania about 16 kilometres away

Prehistoric Earth 550 million years ago
Pannotia. Artwork of prehistoric Earth with its land mass formed as one supercontinent, known as Pannotia, or the Vendian supercontinent

Asteroid impact started continental drift. Computer artwork representing the theory that asteroid impacts may have started the process by which the Earths continents move relative to each other

Compass on a map

Earths magnetic field, artwork
Earths magnetic field, computer artwork. The blue lines represent the magnetic field lines, which extend from the magnetic poles near the North and South poles

Mantle convection, 3-D computer model
Mantle convection. 3-D computer model showing plumes of magma (dark grey) circulating within the Earths mantle. The heat that drives this convective process originates from the Earths core

Compass and dividers on a map
Navigational compass and dividers (also called a measuring compass, lower left) on a map

Oceanography research. Niskin bottle container being lowered into the sea. This measuring device collects water samples from different depths of the ocean

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Geophysics: Unveiling the Secrets of Earth's Dynamic Nature Immanuel Kant once said, "Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe. . the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me. " These words resonate deeply in the realm of geophysics, where scientists delve into the mysteries of our planet's inner workings. In a whimsical caricature, Mount Etna erupts in 2012 C016 / 4639, showcasing nature's raw power. The volcano at night exudes an ethereal beauty that captivates both scientific minds and artistic souls alike. Alfred Lothar Wegener, a German geophysicist and meteorologist, emerges as a pioneer in his field. His groundbreaking work on continental drift revolutionized our understanding of Earth's tectonic plates. Wegener's legacy lives on through captivating images like WEGENER himself - an image capturing his essence as a passionate explorer. Journeying to Morocco's High Atlas Mountains reveals Sulphur formations adorning rocks at Tizi N Tichka Pass. This photograph showcases how geophysical processes shape our landscapes over time – an intricate dance between geological forces and chemical reactions. Smoke billowing from Krakatoa volcano on Java Island reminds us of nature's fury unleashed upon Indonesia. These photographs capture moments frozen in time when fiery explosions reshape landforms while leaving us awestruck by their sheer magnitude. Geophysics unravels Earth’s secrets hidden beneath its surface; it is a discipline that combines science with wonderment. From Immanuel Kant’s philosophical musings to Alfred Lothar Wegener’s groundbreaking discoveries, we are reminded that there is much more to this world than meets the eye. As we gaze upon these captivating images – be it volcanoes erupting or sulphur formations forming – let us embrace the marvels that continue to deepen our understanding of our planet's dynamic nature.