Geophysics in the Affairs of Man describes how geophysics has affected human affairs, with emphasis on the geophysical enterprise as an interplay of technical, social, and economic factors. Many of the key and intriguing developments that took place within several major fields of geophysics are divided into seven epochs, roughly broken into decades. Topics covered include the origins of the profession of geophysics, earth physics and oceanography, and geophysical aspects of undersea warfare. This book is comprised of nine chapters and begins with a discussion on some antecedents to the modern-day profession of geophysics through World War I. The following chapters focus on the golden days of exploration geophysics; classical seismology during the war years; the growth of geophysics during the 1950s; and the nature of the geophysical exploration industry. The closing chapter presents the views of numerous geophysicists about what they consider the most outstanding actions they were ever involved in, as well as what makes the profession unique. This monograph is written primarily for geophysicists, geologists, and geological engineers.

Conversion FactorsPrologue1. Some Antecedents to the Modern-Day Profession of Geophysics through World War I Diffusing Geophysical Knowledge Geophysical Forbearers Prior to the 19th Century A Brief Overview of Earth Physics - 1800 to 1919 Artillery Location by Acoustic and Seismic Means Oceanography Simultaneously Becomes a Science and a Technology2. Geophysics Comes of Age - The Roaring Twenties and the Depressing Thirties The Golden Days of Exploration Geophysics The Appearance of Electrical Well Logging Classical Seismology Strikes Out on Its Own The Rebirth of Extensive Oceanographic Endeavors3. Geophysicists at War - 1939-1945 Exploration Geophysics during a Time of Global War Classical Seismology during the War Years Geophysical Detection of Enemy Artillery Influence Mines in Naval Warfare - A New Application of Geophysical Sensors Geophysical Aspects of Undersea Warfare4. Reversion to Peacetime, 1945-1950 A Time of Transition Exploration Geophysics Bounces Back Classical Seismology Stays Much the Same The Opening of the Canadian Arctic Oceanography Comes of Age5. The 1950s - A Burgeoning Era of Geophysics A Short Overview of the Decade Correcting the Manpower Shortage in Exploration Geophysics The Geophysical Industry Grapples with Managerial and Technical Problems The Advent of Magnetic Recording and Electronic Data Processing Non-Dynamite Energy Sources for Seismic Exploration A Seismic Search for St. Peter's Tomb Project Magnet - A Global Airborne Survey of the Earth's Magnetic Field Should there be a Nuclear Test Ban? The Berkner Panel on Seismic Improvement Meteorological Fallout from Escalating Nuclear Test Programs The International Geophysical Year Laying the Foundation for Earth-Oriented Satellites Military Oceanography Thrives during "Peacetime" Geophysical Research Penetrates the Polar Basin The Oceanographers also Prefer Large-Scale Projects6. Science in Government and Government in Science - The 1960s The Exuberant 1960s Bad News and Good News for the Geophysical Industry The Geophysical Industry Shifts to Digital Recording and Processing The Search for Appropriate Underground Nuclear Test Ban Language Project Vela Uniform - A Potential Solution to the Treaty Language Problem Creation of a Modern Global Seismological Network Vela Uniform's Research Program Are Bigger and Better Seismic Arrays the Route to Go? Tabor Pluto - The British Equivalent to Vela Uniform Research Explosions and Their Impact International Seismology with a Neutralist Flavor The Substitution of Plate Tectonics for Continental Drift Project Mohole Loses out to the Deep Sea Drilling Project A Decade of Ocean Politics and Ocean Policy Earth-oriented Satellites at Last7. Geophysics Interacts with the Environmentalists and OPEC - The 1970s and the Early 1980s A Period of Controversy Boom Days Once Again for Exploration Geophysics Non-Profit Geophysics Acquires a Political Hue The Good Earth as a Killer Is Mankind Modifying the Earth? By what Means will Geophysics Progress into the Future?8. Geophysics as a Business - Then and Now The Dollar Volume of the Exploration Geophysics Industry Role of the Individual Entrepreneur Growth and Proliferation of Geophysical Firms Corporate Profiles - General The Nature of Large, Full Service Contractors Compagnie Générale de Géophysique Digicon, Inc Geophysical Service, Inc. - Texas Instruments, Inc Petty-Ray Geophysical Operations Seiscom Delta, Inc Seismograph Service Corporation Teledyne Geotech and Teledyne Exploration Western Geophysical Company of America Smaller Seismic Data Acquisition Firms An Exceptional Small Firm - The Dawson Geophysical Company A Unique Firm - The Geophysical Systems Corporation Some New Firms on the Scene Fairfield Industries, Inc Geophysical Company of Norway Grant Geophysical Corporation NF Industries, Inc NORPAC Exploration Services, Inc Firms Specializing in Seismic Data Processing Teknica Resource Development, Ltd Geoquest International, Inc Other Service Companies Equipment Manufacturing and Supply Companies The Consulting Business The Business End of Gravity and Magnetic Surveys The Craig Ferris-E. V. McCollum Partnership The Gravity Meter Exploration Company Sigmund Hammer The Mineral Exploration Business Barringer Resources, Inc The Industry's Prospects for the Future The Situation as Viewed by the International Association of Geophysical Contractors Manpower Issues The Potential for Continued Technical Advances and Discoveries of New Natural Resources9. Geophysics as They Saw it In Retrospect Some Major Personal Achievements Exploration Geophysics Earth Physics Oceanography Oceanography-Meteorology Personal Vignettes Teaching Geophysics Geophysical Prospecting Oceanographic Expeditions of Unusual InterestAppendix A - Significant Events in the Evolution of Geophysical Service, Inc. and Its Offshoot, Texas Instruments, IncReferencesName IndexSubject IndexAbout the Authors