Peking University

Institute of Theoretical and Applied Geophysics

　　Solid geophysics is an area of science that studies the interior and the surrounding environment of the Earth in the approach of physics, which could date back to the pioneering study of physicians such as Newton and Kelvin. Thanks to the rapid development of computer technology, computing mathematics as well as geophysical observational and experimental techniques, in recent years, solid geophysics has become one of the highlights of the earth science. Geophysical study deals with all sort of physical fields related to the body of the earth, with an aim of the comprehension and exploration of the inner-earth mysteries (such as its constitution of substances and evolutional laws), the discovery and decipherment of diverse interior physical processes, and in a further step, the development of new theories, new methods and new techniques for the optimization and improvement of human living space, for the precaution and alleviation of natural hazards, and as well for the detection and exploitation of energy and resources which is high-demanded in the development of national economics.

　　Institute of Theoretical and Applied Geophysics was founded in 2001. Its predecessor is the department of solid physics established in 1956, which has the longest history among Chinese institutes. Over 50 years, the department of solid geophysics has cultivated a great number of high-tech or management personnel devoted in the study of geophysics or relative subjects. The graduates consist of fellows of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, advanced managers in national scientific or executive administration, and researchers in famous foreign universities or scientific institutes.

　　The department is the national training ground of graduates of solid geophysics with a renowned faculty.  The faculty is young and competitive, and has established good relationship and close coopreation with famous foreign institutes. The major of geophysics requires solid base of mathematics and physics, practical English and computer skills, as well as fundamental and frontier geophysical knowledge. The characteristics of this major determine that the graduates show not only strong abilities in conducting modern geophysical research, but also the adaptability in multiple occupations, and then the potential of becoming advanced scientific staff.

　　There are 1 CAS fellow, 7 professors(2 both Changjiang Scholars and Winners of National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars), 1 “Thousand Youth Talent” fellow, 3 associate professors, 1 “Hundred Talent Plan of PKU” fellow, 1 assistant professor, 3 engineers in our department. The research areas include theoretical seismology, seismic tectonics, geodynamics, marine geophysics, geoelectromagnetics, experimental geophysics, exploration geophysics, geophysical engineering. The education system of our major is complete; the department is authorized to confer first-level discipline doctoral degree and set up post-doctoral research station.    

　　The department of geophysics of Peking University is assessed as the only “National Key Disciplines” among all Chinese institutes in 2001 and maintained the designation in 2007; in 2004 and 2012, the department of geophysics of Peking University ranks No.1 in national first-level discipline assessment. The research team of earthquake dynamics of our department was selected as the innovative research community of NSFC in 2005 and was further funded in 2008.

　　The institute owns a highly competitive and internationalized faculty and the most distinguished students, free research environment and advanced experimental equipment, extensive international academic communication and research cooperation; the department is more and more developed and becoming an international-influential geophysical research and education base.

　　Faculty members

　　Director: Prof. Shiyong Zhou

　　Vice-director: Ning Jieyuan, Tianyue Hu, Yonghong Zhao

　　Member: 

　　Yuntai Chen, Yongshun Chen, Qinghua Huang, Yanbin Wang, Li Zhao, Jun Lei,Zengxi Ge, Yong Zhang, Haiming Zhang, Yongge Feng, Kechang Zhao, Yanchao Chen, Xianbing Zhang