Evolution of Geophysical Techniques over the last twenty years: Commercialization, societal impact, and research and development perspectives

Abstract

Geophysics plays a crucial role in critical sectors such as energy, mineral resources, water, the environment, and waste and natural risk management. Geophysicists navigate a constantly evolving technological landscape, leveraging innovations ranging from cloud computing, robotics, IoT, and numerical simulation to artificial intelligence. As key players at the intersection of these advancements, geophysicists must meet the needs of both industries and an increasingly engaged public, providing a fertile ground for research, development, and entrepreneurship. The analysis of geophysicists' testimonies, also involved in entrepreneurship, highlights the major trends of the last two decades and offers insights into the future developments of this discipline.