Welcome to Awesome Geophysics – a community-curated, ever-evolving collection of resources that spans the full spectrum of geophysical sciences. Whether you’re a student just beginning your journey, a researcher pushing the boundaries of the field, or a professional applying cutting-edge methods, this guide is your one-stop destination for software, datasets, educational materials, industry news, and much more. Let’s explore the Earth’s hidden depths and stay connected with the vibrant global geophysics community!
- Software and Tools
- Datasets and Databases
- Educational Resources
- Research Papers and Journals
- Tutorials and Cheat Sheets
- Organizations and Societies
- Conferences and Events
- Blogs, Podcasts, and Community Forums
- Career and Professional Development
- Industry News and Updates
- Miscellaneous Resources
- How to Contribute
- License
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Enhance your geophysical workflows with these essential software solutions:
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Auralib
Python package to support investigation of geoscience problems including geophysics, rock physics, petrophysics, and data read/write in common formats. -
bh_tomo
Numba-accelerated computation of surface wave dispersion. -
Bruges
Various geophysical equations and tools. -
celeri
A python-based package designed to image earthquake cycle activity including the spatial and time varying fault coupling across geometrically complex fault systems at large scales. -
disba
Borehole radar and seismic tomography package. -
emsig
Controlled-source electromagnetic modellers for layered (empymod) and three-dimensional (emg3d) anisotropic media. -
Fatiando a Terra
A Python toolkit for geophysical modeling, ideal for addressing gravity, magnetics, and seismic challenges. -
Front End
Preprocess seismic data with various functions, such as resampling, vertical stacking, nodal data assembling, trace swapping, and format conversion -
Geoelectricspy
An interactive 3D visualization tool for subsurface resistivity data—perfect for understanding geoelectric structures. -
GeoPhyInv
Julia Toolbox for Geophysical Modeling and Inverse Problems. -
Geopsy
A tool for processing ambient vibration data, widely used in site characterization and microzonation studies. -
GemPy
3-D structural geological modelling software with implicit modelling and support for stochastic modelling. -
GMT (Generic Mapping Tools)
A robust toolset for creating high-quality maps and plots used across geoscience disciplines. -
gprMax
A comprehensive Python library for seismology, perfect for waveform analysis, data handling, and visualization. -
GPRPy
Multi-format, GUI-based GPR processing and visualization. -
hvsrpy
A Python package for horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio processing. -
Madagascar
An open-source platform designed for reproducible geophysical data processing and analysis. -
MDIO
Open source chunked and compressed cloud storage for seismic data based on Zarr with fast seismic ingestion and export tools – Docs, Source. -
modelr.io
Web app for simple synthetic seismic forward modelling. -
OpendTect-Plugins
Open source plugins for the OpendTect seismic interpretation platform. See the docs for more information. -
OpenSeaSeis
Seismic workflow generator and seismic viewer. -
ObsPy
A comprehensive Python library for seismology, perfect for waveform analysis, data handling, and visualization. -
Pastas
Open-source Python framework for the analysis of groundwater time series. -
PyFWI
It can be used to perform full-waveform inversion (FWI) and time-lapse FWI of seismic data. -
pyGeoPressure
Pore pressure prediction using well log data and seismic velocity data. -
PyGMI
It is a modelling and interpretation suite aimed at magnetic, gravity and other datasets. -
PyGIMLi
A library for geophysical inversion and modeling with an emphasis on ease of use. -
PyLops
Linear Operators with some geophysics/seismic modules (e.g., pre- and post-stack AVO inversion, deconvolution, Marchenko redatuming, Radon filtering). -
Pyrocko
A toolkit for seismic waveform analysis and earthquake modeling. -
PySIT
A Toolbox for seismic inversion and seismic imaging. -
pyVDS
Convenience wrapper around Bluware's OpenVDS+ Python bindings which enables reading of VDS files with a syntax familiar to users of segyio. -
pyZGY
Convenience wrapper around Schlumberger's OpenZGY Python package which enables reading of ZGY files with a syntax familiar to users of segyio. -
R2
A forward/inverse solution for 3D or 2D current flow in quadrilateral or triangular meshes. -
RAGU
Radar interpretation GUI compatible with multiple radar datasets. -
readgssi
Fast command line or console-based visualization, filtering, and translation of GSSI radar data. -
RedPy
Auto-clustering for seismic events. -
RECAST
Flexible and Scalable Earthquake Forecasting. -
RGPR
Reads, exports, processes, and plots ground-penetrating radar data. -
ResIPy
A Python wrapper around the R2 family of codes (for 2D/3D DC/IP inversion). -
rsudp
Continuous ObsPy-based visual display, sudden motion monitoring, and historical replay of Raspberry Shake data. -
SAC (Seismic Analysis Code)
A go-to tool for seismic waveform analysis, offering powerful data manipulation for seismologists worldwide. -
SeisComp
Seismic observatory automation toolkit. Autodetection, storage, sharing, processing data and more. -
SeisUnix
A classic suite for seismic reflection data processing, widely used in both academia and industry. -
Segyio
Fast library for seismic SEGY files. -
Seismic Un*x
A powerful toolkit for seismic data processing. -
SeismicZFP
Convert SEG-Y/ZGY files to compressed SGZ files & retrieve arbitrary sub-volumes from these, fast. -
synthoseis
Synthoseis is an open-source, Python-based tool used for generating pseudo-random seismic data. -
swprocess
A Python package for surface wave processing. -
Surfer
A contouring and 3D mapping software, great for visualizing subsurface geophysical data. -
XTgeo
Python library with C backend to support manipulation of (oil industry) subsurface reservoir modelling.
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Access raw and processed geophysical data from reputable sources:
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IRIS Data Management Center
A comprehensive repository of seismic data from global networks, crucial for earthquake and tectonics studies. -
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
Provides real-time and historical earthquake data along with hazard maps for seismic research. -
NGDC (National Geophysical Data Center)
A vast archive of geophysical data—think marine gravity, terrestrial magnetics, and bathymetry. Now part of NOAA’s NCEI. -
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)
A goldmine of geomagnetic, gravity, and climate data—ideal for interdisciplinary geophysical studies. -
International Seismological Centre (ISC)
The ultimate catalog of seismic events worldwide, with detailed phase data for researchers. -
Global Seismographic Network (GSN)
High-quality seismic recordings for deep Earth studies. -
Poseidon NW Australia
Interpreted 3D seismic (32bit) including reports and well logs. -
SEG Open Data Catalog
Catalog of "geophysical data that is readily available for download from the internet, via mail, or through special request", maintained by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. -
[TerraNubis](https://www.npolar.no/quantarctica
Catalog of "geophysical data that is readily available for download from the internet, via mail, or through special request", maintained by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. -
GeoMapApp
The new Open Seismic Repository, includes the classic F3 and Penobscot seismic volumes (which both also have wells and other data assets). -
ICGEM
Hosts gravity field spherical harmonic models and provides a webservice for generating grids of gravity functionals (geoid, gravity anomaly, vertical derivatives, etc). -
Specialized Repositories:
- Mineral Exploration Data: Databases provided by mining companies and governmental surveys.
- Electromagnetic Survey Archives: Repositories for controlled-source EM data curated by research institutions.
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Build and refine your geophysics knowledge with these top-tier learning materials:
- "Introduction to Seismology" by Peter Shearer
A comprehensive guide to seismic wave theory and earthquake science. - "Geodynamics" by Donald Turcotte and Gerald Schubert
An in-depth exploration of Earth’s tectonic processes and mantle convection. - "The Solid Earth" by C.M.R. Fowler
A broad overview of geophysics, covering seismology, gravity, and geomagnetism. - "Exploration Seismology" by Sheriff and Geldart
The bible of seismic exploration—perfect for applied geophysicists in oil, gas, or mineral industries.
- Coursera Geophysics Courses
Flexible courses covering both fundamental and advanced geophysical concepts. - Seismo-Live
Hands-on Jupyter notebooks for interactive seismology learning. - Udemy and edX Geoscience Courses – Additional platforms offering specialized courses in geophysics and remote sensing.
- Annual Seismology Skill Building Workshop for Undergraduates organized by Miami University X EarthScope Consortium
Regular virtual and in-person events hosted by professional organizations and universities.
Explore graduate programs, summer schools, and certificate courses in geosciences for deeper academic training.
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Keep abreast of the latest discoveries and methods in geophysics:
- Geophysical Research Letters
Rapid publications presenting high-impact research across various geophysical fields. - Geophysics
The leading journal for applied geophysics and exploration techniques. - EarthArXiv
A preprint server for cutting-edge geophysical research prior to formal publication. - Special Issues and Review Articles:
Search for thematic collections and review papers that offer comprehensive overviews of emerging topics in geophysics. - Conference Proceedings:
Explore proceedings from major conferences (e.g., AGU, SEG, SSA) for the latest research presentations.
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- Geophysics Cheat Sheet - Cheat Sheet for Geophysics.
- Rock Physics Cheat Sheet – Cheat Sheet for Rock Physics.
- Petroleum Science Cheat Sheet – Cheat Sheet for Petroleum Science.
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Network with leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals in geophysics through these key organizations:
- American Geophysical Union (AGU) – A hub for geoscientists offering resources, events, and professional networking across disciplines.
- Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) – Focused on applied geophysics, providing conferences, training, and publications.
- Seismological Society of America (SSA) – Specializing in earthquake science and research with valuable educational resources.
- European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) – Offers training, research, and networking opportunities for geoscience professionals.
- International Association of Geodesy (IAG) – Covers geophysical research related to Earth’s gravity, rotation, and deformation.
- International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior (IASPEI) – Advances global seismology and deep Earth studies.
- International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) – A collective body supporting geophysical research worldwide.
- National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) – Based in the Philippines, dedicated to geophysical and geological research and education.
- National Iranian Geophysics Society (NIGS) – Nonprofit organization for geophysicists and engineers. It is an organization providing a national network of geoscientists and academic professionals.
- Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG) – A professional body for geophysicists working in exploration and mining.
- Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (CSEG) – Provides networking, education, and professional development for geophysicists in Canada.
- Geological Society of London (GSL) – One of the world's oldest geological societies, supporting geophysics research.
- Indian Geophysical Union (IGU) – Focuses on geophysical research in seismology, hydrology, and geodynamics.
- Brazilian Geophysical Society (SBGf) – Organizes geophysics-related events, research, and publications in South America.
- Russian Geophysical Society (RGS) – A key organization for seismic and electromagnetic research in Russia.
- Chinese Geophysical Society (CGS) – Promotes geophysical advancements and collaboration in China.
- LinkedIn Groups – Geophysics and Seismology Professionals, Exploration Geophysics Network, Machine Learning in Geoscience.
- ResearchGate – Connect with researchers and access the latest publications in geophysics.
- Academic Mailing Lists – Join geophysics-focused lists like IRIS Seismology, SEG’s Technical Sections, and EAGE’s Discussion Forums.
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Stay connected with the latest advancements through these key events:
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AGU Fall Meeting
The world’s largest geoscience conference featuring hundreds of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. -
SEG Annual Meeting
A premier event showcasing the latest in exploration geophysics, technology innovations, and research. -
SSA Annual Meeting
Focused on earthquake science and the latest seismological research. -
European Geosciences Union General Assembly
A massive European event covering all things Earth and planetary science. -
Seismological Society of America Annual Meeting
A focused event for seismology buffs, packed with earthquake science updates. -
Specialized Workshops and Symposia:
Look out for targeted events (e.g., MAG symposiums, specialized inversion workshops) that delve into niche topics. -
Virtual Conferences and Webinars:
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DeFord Lecture Organized by Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin and Many organizations now offer hybrid events for global participation.
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Engage with the geophysics community through diverse media channels:
- AGU Blogosphere – A diverse collection of blogs discussing the latest in geoscience and geophysics.
- Geophysics Rocks – An engaging blog that breaks down complex geophysical concepts in an accessible way.
- Technical Blogs:
Follow posts on Medium or Towards Data Science that delve into geophysical data processing and modeling.
Stay updated with discussions and interviews with leading experts:
- “Don’t Panic Geocast” – Insightful episodes on exploration challenges and breakthroughs.
- “Nature Podcast” – Broad scientific discussions with a geoscience perspective.
- Look for niche podcasts focusing on seismic interpretation, inversion techniques, and remote sensing.
- EAGE Slack/Discord Channels – Join dedicated channels for real-time discussion and collaboration.
- LinkedIn Groups and Reddit Communities – Engage with global geoscientists to exchange ideas and troubleshoot issues.
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Advance your geophysical career with these resources:
- AGU Career Center
Job listings, career advice, and networking opportunities tailored for geoscientists. - SEG Career Resources
Tools for professional development including mentoring programs, workshops, and job postings. - Online Certifications and Training Programs:
Enroll in short courses and certifications (e.g., Coursera, edX) to stay current with the latest techniques. - Networking Opportunities:
Attend conferences, webinars, and local meetups to expand your professional network. - Resume and Interview Tips:
Check out blogs and guides dedicated to geoscience career advice.
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Stay informed with the latest trends, breakthroughs, and market news in geophysics:
- EAGE’s First Break – Covers applied geoscience topics, case studies, and research developments.
- SEG News – Provides updates on geophysical exploration, technology, and society news.
- The Leading Edge (TLE) – Publishes technical advancements in seismic and geophysical methods.
- Oil & Gas Journal – Industry-leading coverage on petroleum exploration and energy trends.
- GeoExPro (geoexpro.com) – Articles on exploration, geophysics, and energy transition.
- Offshore Engineer (oe.digital) – Insights into offshore geophysics and subsea technologies.
- World Oil (worldoil.com) – Reports on upstream exploration and drilling news.
- S&P Global Energy Research – Analysis on energy sector investments and seismic data markets.
- Wood Mackenzie – Market intelligence for oil, gas, and energy transition strategies.
- Rystad Energy – Research on geophysical services, seismic surveys, and industry spending.
- Schlumberger Innovation Blog – Updates on AI-driven seismic inversion and cloud geoscience.
- CGG Newsroom – Case studies on multi-client seismic projects and carbon storage monitoring.
- TGS Press Releases – Announcements on new seismic data acquisitions and AI exploration tools.
- ION Geophysical – Insights into cutting-edge geophysical imaging and seismic data processing.
- LinkedIn Groups: Geophysics and Seismology Professionals, Exploration Geophysics Network.
- Twitter/X Accounts: Follow @SEG_org, @EAGE_news, @USGS for seismic and exploration news.
- Reddit Communities: "r/geology", "r/seismology", "r/geophysics" for discussions and shared insights.
- United States Geological Survey (USGS) – Seismic hazard reports and earthquake risk assessments.
- British Geological Survey (BGS) – Research on subsurface imaging and energy geoscience.
- Geoscience Australia – Updates on geophysical surveys and mineral exploration projects.
- SEG Webinars – Regular sessions on machine learning in seismic interpretation.
- AAPG Discovery Thinking Series – Talks from industry leaders on geophysical innovation.
- EAGE Conferences – Events focusing on AI in geoscience and renewable energy applications.
- SAGA Robotics – Developing autonomous drones for geophysical surveys.
- Seisintel – AI-based seismic data analytics for offshore exploration.
- Xcalibur Multiphysics – Advances in airborne geophysical exploration.
- Geophysical Technology, Inc. (GTI) – Specializes in innovative geophysical solutions for subsurface exploration, enhancing seismic operational efficiency and earth imaging quality.
- Pixxel – Developing a constellation of hyperspectral imaging satellites to provide high-resolution Earth observation data across various industries.
- Wheere – Offers an indoor geolocation system capable of precise positioning even through substantial concrete barriers, utilizing low-frequency wave emission and advanced algorithms.
- Quaise Energy – Aims to harness geothermal energy by drilling deeper into the Earth's crust using gyrotron technology to vaporize rock, accessing "superhot" rock for sustainable energy.
- Fervo Energy – Utilizes advanced drilling techniques to enhance geothermal well outputs, providing renewable energy solutions for high-demand sectors like AI data centers.
- Fleet Space Technologies – Combines low Earth orbit nanosatellites with ground-based sensors and AI to revolutionize minerals exploration, creating detailed 3D subsurface maps.
- Kapta Space – Developing electronically steerable radar-based imaging technology for satellites, enabling faster and more precise scanning of large areas for various applications.
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A few additional resources to enhance your geophysical toolkit:
- Matplotlib – Essential for 2D plotting in Python, commonly used in geophysics.
- Plotly – Interactive visualizations ideal for geospatial and geophysical data.
- Seaborn – Statistical data visualization for enhanced analysis.
- GMT (Generic Mapping Tools) – Widely used for creating high-quality geoscientific maps.
- ParaView – Open-source tool for 3D visualization of geophysical datasets.
- VisIt – A high-performance visualization tool for large-scale geophysical simulations—perfect for parallel processing and big data.
- Tecplot – A premium option for visualizing computational fluid dynamics and geophysical data with stunning, publication-ready graphics.
Shell scripting is crucial for automating repetitive geophysical workflows, such as data preprocessing, seismic analysis, and large-scale simulations.
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Why Use Shell Scripting in Geophysics?
- Automate seismic data processing workflows.
- Manage large datasets efficiently.
- Run parallel computations on HPC clusters.
- Preprocess and clean geophysical datasets before analysis.
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Key Shell Commands for Geophysicists:
awk&sed– Process and clean seismic and geospatial data files.grep&cut– Extract specific data points from log files.xargs¶llel– Run batch processing on multiple files simultaneously.ffmpeg– Convert geophysical images and animations into videos.rsync&scp– Transfer large datasets efficiently across remote servers.
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Example: Automating seismic file renaming
# Rename all .sgy files to include date for file in *.sgy; do mv "$file" "$(date +%Y%m%d)_$file" done
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Resources to Learn Shell Scripting for Geophysics:
- Advanced Bash Scripting Guide – Comprehensive reference.
- Linux Command Line for Geoscientists – Practical geospatial workflows.
- HPC Shell Scripting – For handling large geophysical datasets.
- Python: Learn geophysical applications with ObsPy (seismology), SimPEG (geophysical inversions), and Fatiando a Terra (gravity & magnetics).
- MATLAB & R: Used for geophysical modeling, data analysis, and visualization.
- Fortran & C/C++ & Julia: Essential for high-performance computing in numerical geophysical simulations.
- Towards Data Science – Covers geospatial data science and machine learning in geosciences.
- Software Underground – A collaborative community for geoscience programming and open-source tools.
- Geophysics Rocks – Tutorials on seismic interpretation, inversion, and data analysis.
- Seismic Data Analysis – Yilmaz (A fundamental guide for seismic processing and interpretation).
- Theoretical & Computational Seismology – Tromp (Advanced theoretical & computational concepts).
- Theoretical Global Seismology – Dahlen & Tromp (Great for beginning).
- Git & GitHub – Version control for geophysical code, datasets, and collaborative projects.
- Jupyter Notebook – Ideal for interactive geophysics tutorials, visualization, and scripting.
- Docker – Containerized environments for geophysical software reproducibility.
- Google Earth Engine – Cloud-based analysis of geospatial and remote sensing data.
- Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) – A free, open-source software that allows users to create, edit, visualize, analyze, and publish geospatial information.
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This list is a community effort and grows with your contributions!
Have a tool, dataset, blog, or resource to add? Here’s how you can help:
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Submit a Suggestion:
Open an issue or pull request on our GitHub repository to add or update resources. -
Share Your Expertise:
Contribute by writing tutorials, guides, or blog posts that explain complex geophysical concepts in an accessible way.
Together, we can continue to make Awesome Geophysics the definitive resource for the global geophysical community.
For more detailed guidelines, please check the CONTRIBUTING.md file.
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To the extent possible under law, all contributors have waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this work.
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Whether you’re diving into seismic data processing, modeling Earth’s subsurface, or simply looking for inspiration, we invite you to explore, share, and contribute. Let’s push the boundaries of geophysical exploration and understanding—together!
