Greetings from the Chair of the Department of Geophysics
Geophysics is one of the newer field in Earth science, and also an integrated science that requires extensive knowledge on the earth and planets. The main objective of geophysics is to understand the natural phenomena such as planets, auroras, atmosphere, oceans, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions utilizing physical techniques. Sometimes we can study in nature feeling its grandeur, richness and forces, which is one of the great charms of geophysics.
On the other hand, nature sometimes shows its fangs in the form of weather disasters such as typhoons, cold-weather damage, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and so on. Moreover, global warming and other environmental issues cannot be overlooked any longer. To face these natural disasters and environmental problems, geophysics is expected to play a major role. Thus geophysics is closely related to society, which is another major characteristic of it.
We all hope that you young people conduct various researches with us to find new natural phenomena, to understand the laws of nature, to reduce the casualties of natural disasters, and not to leave sad legacy of environmental issues to our children.
Chair of the Department of Geophysics
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University