Five Decades of Geophysics in India: Golden Jubilee Volume (Memoir 68)

Geophysics, the study of the earth through the application of physical principles, first made its appearance in the mid nineteenth century and progressively influenced our knowledge and understanding of the planet we live on. In turn, this opened new horizons of comprehension of the complex natures of the continents and oceans as well as the natural resources available to us, on which the growth and development of our society is based. This all-embracing science is a fundamental pillar on which global socio-economic prosperity is based and it is indeed difficult to imagine today's world without its benefits. The earliest use of geophysics in India can be traced to Colonel William Lambton, who suggested a survey in 1799, which ultimately resulted in a geodetic network to study the earth's ellipticity. Geophysics helps us to unravel the mysteries of the unreachable insides of the earth. It has made unparalleled contribution towards knowledge of the crustal and lithosphere structure of the Earth and the Plate Tectonic processes, which over millions of years, build the surface features and amass mineral wealth for our consumption. Understanding of these as well as other processes acting deep inside the earth enable us to anticipate regions prone to earthquake hazards as well as other vagaries of nature. Again, knowledge of the earth system and man-made influences on it have helped to open our eyes to activities, which generate pollution and create imbalances endangering the very existence of our species, so that we may implement rectifying measures.