As a subdivision of earth science, geophysics researches the natural phenomena and processes of the Earth and its environment. It deals with technical aspects and geophysical maps. Geophysics investigates the structure of the Earth’s interior and all seismic, electrical, thermal and magnetic phenomena of the Earth. Physics of the atmosphere (Meteorology), physics of water (hydrology, oceanography) and physics of the planets (planetary science) are examples of subdivisions of geophysics.

Research methods and applications of geophysics:
The theoretical geophysics deals with the mathematical fundamentals of geophysics and their application in simulating geophysical processes.
With the laboratory tests of experimental geophysics, the aim is often to investigate the properties of materials – under conditions, as they exist in the Earth’s interior.
Applied geophysics explores the underground with geophysical methods of measurement. The results are used for practical purposes:

• Exploration in the search of raw materials (petroleum, water, ores)
• Finding suitable repository sites
• Brownfield, construction and archaeological site investigations.
   

Geophysical surveys are often also conducted from within a borehole (borehole geophysics).
Typical geophysical survey methods (according to the appropriate field characteristic):

• Potential fields (elliptical differential equations): geoelectrics, geomagnetics, geothermal energy, gravimetry
• Diffusion fields (parabolic differential equations): magnetotellurics, geoelectromagnetics and Very Low Frequency (VLF)
• Wave fields (hyperbolic differential equations): seismology, seismics and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
• Special case (radiation): radiometry
   

The geophysical land survey continuously updates the state of knowledge of the geophysical conditions of Switzerland. It represents geophysical parameters and their changes over time in the form of maps and reports. Their findings have an impact on decisions for sustainable use and development of natural regions.