Exploration geophysics is an applied branch of
geophysics, which uses
physical methods (such as seismic, gravitational, magnetic, electrical and electromagnetic) at the surface of the
Earth to measure the physical properties of the subsurface, along with the anomalies in those properties. It is most often used to detect or infer the presence and position of economically useful geological deposits, such as
ore minerals;
fossil fuels and other
hydrocarbons;
geothermal reservoirs; and
groundwater reservoirs.