PROCEEDINGS 
OF THE 
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
Volume 6 OCTOBER 15. 1920 Number 10 
A SURVEY OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS IN GEOPHYSICS 
PrKpared by Chairmen gi^ Sections of the American 
Geophysicai^ Union 
CONTENTS 
Present status of geodesy and some of the problems of this branch of geophysics. 
By WiiviviAM Bowie, Chairman, Section (a), Geodesy 545 
The problems of seismology. By Harry FieIvDing Reid, Chairman, Section (b), 
Seismology 555 
The status and problems of meteorology. By C. F. Marvin, Chairman, Section 
(c). Meteorology 561 
Some of the chief problems in terrestrial magnetism and electricity. By Louis 
A. Bauer, Chairman, Section (d), Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity 572 
The problems and functions of the Section of Physical Oceanography of the 
American Geophysical Union. By G. W. LittlehalES, Chairman, Section (e). 
Physical Oceanography 580 
The problems of volcanology. By Henry S. Washington, Chairman, Section (f), 
Volcanology 583 
An outline of geophysical-chemical problems. By Robert B. Sosman, Chairman, 
Section (g), Geophysical-chemistry 592 
These papers were presented at the first annual meeting of the American 
Geophysical Union, by the chairmen of the several sections of the Union. 
The meeting was held at the National Research Council in Washington, 
D. C, on April 23, 1920. The American Geophysical Union is also the 
Committee on Geophysics of the National Research Council and is the 
National Committee for the United States of the International Geodetic 
and Geophysical Union. 
PRESENT STATUS OF GEODESY AND SOME OE THE 
PROBLEMS OF THIS BRANCH OF GEOPHYSICS 
By WiiyiviAM Bowie 
Geodesy is one of the oldest of the geophysical sciences. Originally 
it embraced only a limited field, consisting of the determination of the 
shape of the earth and its size and the means by which this was done. 
But now the subject of geodesy is very closely allied with other matters 
and there are few geophysical questions that do not, either directly or 
indirectly, concern the geodesist in the solution of his problems. 
545 
