Research is lead by prof. Pertti Kaikkonen.

Applied geophysics includes research for various important economical and civil tasks, e.g., ore and mineral prospecting, groundwater mapping, civil engineering problems, geological and environmental studies. Environmental research is continuously growing in importance.

Applied geophysics is a common name for the various geophysical research methods that are used to study the structure and composition of the uppermost, near-surface parts of the Earth. Methods of applied geophysics are often used to support geological and geotechnical investigations.

The most important methods are:

• Gravity and magnetic field methods
• Electrical (dc) and electromagnetic methods
• Seismic methods
• Radiometric and other methods

The methods of applied geophysics are used for mineral and oil prospecting, environmental, groundwater and soil investigations and geological mapping.

The University of Oulu has a wide variety of field equipments of applied geophysics for the needs of teaching  and research.

To be able to fully utilize measured data it's important to have computer programs for interpretation. Some modelling and interpretation software are self-made, but commercial geophysical software are used especially in teaching.

The division of geophysics works in co-operation with other departments and research institutes and offers help with field equipment, research and interpretation of applied geophysics.

See also

• Field equipment