Geophysics

Geophysics is the branch of planetary sciences that studies the physics of a planet's atmosphere and geology. A scientist who studies geophysics is known as a geophysicist.

Udar's biological father, Miklos Karlovassi was a geophysicist on Earth during the late 20th century. 

According to T'Pol, when investigating new planets, Vulcan starships would follow a number of protocols, beginning with the launch of several automated probes to the surface to collect more detailed scans. If, based on the scan results, the planet is proven to be Minshara class, they would then conduct a geophysical survey of the planet from orbit before sending down a landing party. 

USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) meteorlogist, Lieutenant Karl Jaeger had an extensive background in geophysics. During the Enterprise's encounter with Gothos in 2267, Jaeger performed a geophysical analysis of the planet's surface. His report found "no detectable soil or vegetation, extremely hot, toxic atmosphere swept by tornadic storms, continuous volcanic eruptions, deadly to any lifeforms such as we know it without oxygen and life support systems." Jaeger estimated that the survival time for an unprotected Human on the surface to be "not very long." Jaeger was later chosen by Spock to join the landing party because his "extensive geophysical knowledge may be crucial down there."

In 2367, an image of Tethys III with altered geophysical figures, taken from the USS Enterprise-D's library computer, was substituted by Data, in an attempt at subterfuge, to represent the image of a Class M planet detected by a probe in a T-Tauri system located in the Ngame Nebula. 

Eager to join a USS Voyager away team, shortly after his arrival aboard the ship in 2371, Neelix prepared for a week studying Starfleet procedures and protocols. His preparations included the studying of his Tricorder Operations Manual and being brought up-to-date, by B'Elanna Torres, on dilithium geophysics. 

By the 24th century, Federation starships had entire departments dedicated to Geophysics. When Voyager began running low on deuterium in 2374, Captain Kathryn Janeway requested that Harry Kim assist her in Geophysics to see if they could synthesize a substitute fuel. 

During the 1st Annual Voyager Science Fair, in 2376, Naomi Wildman created a model of Ktaris for her science project. Her model included several the geophysical and atmospheric conditions that she programmed into the model herself, including a wind and hail storm in the Arpasian Range. 

Related disciplines

 * Geomagnetism
 * Meteorology
 * Oceanography
 * Seismology
 * Volcanology

Related link

 * Fifth Interstellar Geophysical Conference