Research Areas

The PG-USP (Graduate Program at the University of São Paulo) has a single research line called Geophysics, around which three master's and doctoral research projects are articulated, namely: a) Geodynamics, b) Applied Geophysics, and c) Modeling and Data Science in Geophysics. The Program also incorporates the isolated project "Dissemination of Research and Education in Geophysics and Related Sciences," which includes teaching activities at all levels, and extension within the scope of postgraduate studies. This project is carried out by both the Program faculty and the graduate students, with the aim of increasing their teaching experience. Although it has an extension character, this project includes lectures at various educational levels, short-term courses, and publications in popular science journals and magazines.

Geodynamics

Study of the Earth's internal structure, particularly under South America. The studies involve: the structure of the South American Plate and its interaction with neighboring plates, both in the present and in the past; the spatial and temporal evolution of South America's main tectonic provinces, their sedimentary record, and magmatism; the relationships between structure, internal dynamics, and surface geological and geomorphological features; imaging of the deep structure under the plate and other regions of the planet; variations in the geomagnetic field at different temporal scales. Geophysical, geochemical, and geological data, as well as different numerical modeling tools, are used.

Applied Geophysics

Investigation of the first kilometers of subsurface depth to study and assess: occurrences of mineral resources and the best geophysical methods to characterize them; porous media and the internal movement of geological fluids (water, oil, and gas); how aquifers are recharged, discharged, and contaminated, both in crystalline rocks and sedimentary environments; the behavior of the topsoil and subsurface when subjected to stresses generated by large civil engineering projects; properties of induced seismicity due to anthropogenic disturbances and seismic hazards; location of archaeological artifacts, pipelines, tubes, and other buried objects.

Modeling and Data Science in Geophysics

This project focuses on understanding, in its broadest sense, how to extract information from data and the modeling of physical and/or chemical processes of the Earth, involving different types of data across various spatial and temporal scales. It involves the development of tools to analyze large amounts of data from various geophysical surveys, parallel processing techniques, and high-performance computing (supercomputers) to create new 3D models to study various Earth processes, in addition to specific knowledge and differentiated ways of treating and integrating data.

Dissemination of Research and Education in Geophysics and Related Sciences

This project brings together all actions that involve the program's interaction with society and scientific dissemination. Through this project, innovations and research produced by the Graduate Program in Geophysics at USP are disseminated. Its activities include extension teaching, interaction with the media (newspapers, TV, blogs, etc.), and the development of cross-platform applications. Graduate students, undergraduates, and faculty members participate in the project by giving lectures, teaching classes, serving as monitors in extension courses, and developing mobile and microcomputer applications.