Advanced Geophysical Research Prompts

 Advanced Geophysical Research

Expert-Level Command Prompts for Gemini in Advanced Geophysical Research

Part I: Foundational Principles of Generative AI in Geophysics

1.1 The Integration of Large Language Models into the Geophysical Workflow

Geophysics represents the interdisciplinary study of the physical characteristics of the Earth, encompassing everything from the deep interior to the atmosphere and hydrosphere. This domain is inherently reliant on multiple scientific disciplines—including geology, physics, chemistry, and engineering—to address grand challenges such as energy provision, water resource management, and climate change mitigation. Core sub-disciplines include seismology, volcanology, meteorology, oceanography, mineral physics, and heat transfer.  

The convergence of geophysics with artificial intelligence (AI) has positioned Generative AI (GAI) models, specifically Large Language Models (LLMs) like Gemini, as critical tools for research augmentation. These GAI models excel at processing and interpreting complex, multivariate datasets across Solid Earth Science, Planetary Science, Atmospheric Science, and Marine Science. Historically, the geophysics community has driven major developments in computation, data management, digital signal processing, and visualization over the last century. LLMs continue this trajectory by enhancing these processes.  

A significant shift observed in computational geophysics is the transformation of the LLM from a simple question-answering tool to a crucial component of the analytical pipeline. The models serve as automation middleware that translates high-level scientific intent into actionable, executable computational steps. Traditional Geospatial Information System (GIS) analysis often requires manual effort—uploading files, navigating complex menus, or writing intricate spatial SQL (Structured Query Language) queries using specific functions like those in PostGIS. The LLM can interpret a natural language hypothesis, such as "Find all railway stations in Berlin," and convert it into a precise, executable spatial SQL command. Similarly, for seismology, the model can generate scripts using specialized Python libraries like ObsPy. This capability to bridge the conceptual gap between researcher intent and computational execution dramatically accelerates data analysis and hypothesis testing in geoscience. The precision required for these tasks necessitates a structured approach to communication with the model.  

1.2 Optimizing Gemini for Technical Fidelity: The Prompt Engineering Imperative

Harnessing the full capability of LLMs requires precise communication, a practice known as prompt engineering. This process is a dynamic and iterative endeavor that combines clarity, specificity, and contextual relevance to ensure the model produces reliable scientific output.  

Gemini, built with multimodal capabilities—handling text, images, video, audio, and code—is particularly well-suited for geophysics, where data often comes in the form of visual products like seismic cross-sections, InSAR interferograms, and satellite imagery. Multimodal language models (MLLMs) are adept at aligning language with visual information, enabling them to tackle challenging problems in fields like remote sensing.  

Effective technical prompts are structured to manage the model's internal processing and external constraints. A robust prompt for geophysical research should generally include four critical sections, though the optimal order may vary :  

    Identity/Role: Defining the assistant’s persona (e.g., "Act as a Geophysical Fluid Dynamics specialist").   

Instructions/Task: Clear guidance on the rules and the desired output (e.g., "Write a Python function that uses ObsPy to filter data").  

Context/Constraints: Providing necessary background data, specifying required libraries, performance metrics, or data format limitations (e.g., "Use a 100m buffer," "Output in JSON format").  

Examples (Few-Shot Learning): Supplying input-output pairs to demonstrate the required structure, tone, or specific coding pattern.  

In highly specialized domains like geophysics, the precision of the output depends heavily on the model's internal knowledge mapping. Generic roles (e.g., "Scientist") often yield generic results. Therefore, a critical strategy for enhancing technical fidelity is to enforce highly detailed, granular expert identities. If the task involves mineral physics, the prompt must specify "Act as a Mineral Physics specialist focused on mantle phase transitions." This goes beyond simple role-playing; it ensures the model draws on the most accurate and relevant knowledge representation, preventing the technical inaccuracy that can arise from misapplied generalized knowledge, thereby optimizing performance for specific geoscience task types.  

1.3 Mapping Advanced Prompt Techniques to Geophysical Tasks

Effective prompt design necessitates matching the complexity of the geophysical task with the appropriate advanced LLM technique. Techniques such as Chain-of-Thought (CoT) prompting, few-shot learning, and contextual constraints serve to structure the model's response, guiding it through intermediate deductive steps or limiting the output space to ensure precision.  

Table 1 details the application of these strategies across core geophysical research domains.

Table 1: Mapping Advanced Prompt Techniques to Geophysical Task Domains
Geophysical Task Type    Recommended Prompt Technique    Justification/Benefit
Inverse Problem Theory (e.g., FWI)    Chain-of-Thought (CoT) + Role-Based Identity    

Forces logical, sequential steps necessary for complex mathematical derivations and solution critique, ensuring the model addresses theoretical complexities.
Code Generation (Python/SQL)    Contextual Constraints + Few-Shot Examples    

Specifies syntax, required libraries (e.g., ObsPy, PostGIS), defines input data characteristics, and ensures generated code meets performance or architectural requirements.
Data Synthesis and Comparison (e.g., Gravity Models)    Contextual Framing + Comparative Analysis Verb    

Defines the scope and specific parameters (geographical, temporal, technical) for comparison, forcing synthesis and structured conclusions instead of mere summarization.
Remote Sensing Image Interpretation (Multimodal)    Specific Instructions + Output Format Definition    

Directs the Visual Language Model (VLM) to perform quantitative analysis (e.g., spectral extraction, deformation rate) and specify the output format (e.g., JSON, table) rather than providing a general image description.
 

Part II: Advanced Prompt Engineering Strategies for Technical Fidelity (Prompts 1–5)

The following five prompts serve as instructional templates, illustrating how the integration of identity, CoT, constraints, and multimodal input transforms a general query into a high-fidelity research command suitable for a computational geophysicist.

2.1 P01: The Role-Based Imperative and CoT for Scientific Deduction

This prompt mandates a specialized role and requires sequential, logical reasoning to address the theoretical and practical complexities of advanced inversion methods.

P01: FWI Implementation Challenge Analysis

Prompt: Act as a specialist in seismic full waveform inversion (FWI). Using Chain-of-Thought reasoning, detail the three primary challenges facing 3D elastic FWI implementation and propose a computational efficiency improvement based on data compression techniques.

Rationale: FWI is a critical, complex inversion method. Challenges include the need for accurate starting models, the necessity of recording low frequencies, and computational efficiency. Mandating the FWI specialist role ensures the model's response aligns with current industry and academic discussions. The CoT instruction ensures the model progresses logically: identifying the problem, explaining its physical basis, and then proposing a rigorous, relevant solution (e.g., applying data-compression techniques to 3D elastic computations).  

2.2 P02: Contextual Constraints for Production-Ready Code Generation

Geophysical code generation must prioritize accuracy, library compliance, and documentation. This prompt emphasizes specificity and library constraints.

P02: ObsPy Seismic Filtering Function

Prompt: Write a robust Python function using the ObsPy library for a seismic data analyst. The function must accept a miniSEED file path (input context provided below) as an argument, filter the data between 0.5 Hz and 2.0 Hz using a fourth-order Butterworth filter, apply a 10% cosine taper, and normalize the trace amplitude to unity. Ensure all processing steps include line comments explaining the mathematical operation and the chosen parameters.

Rationale: Code generation for scientific applications requires strict adherence to syntax, logical correctness, and domain-specific constraints. By specifying Python and the ObsPy library, the model is constrained to using standard geophysical tools. Including requirements for line comments and normalization ensures the generated code is not only functional but also self-documenting and production-ready for subsequent use in a computational workflow.  

2.3 P03: Multimodal Analysis for Geospatial Data Interpretation

This prompt leverages Gemini’s Visual Language Model (VLM) capability to analyze specialized geophysical imagery, specifically requiring quantitative data extraction and logical justification.

P03: InSAR Deformation Map Interpretation (Multimodal Input)

Prompt: (Input: Satellite image of a known landslide area and an InSAR interferogram showing surface deformation.) Act as a Geospatial Hazard Analyst. Critically evaluate the provided InSAR image. First, identify the maximum surface displacement rate in mm/year (if readable). Second, provide a step-by-step interpretation of the fringe patterns to delineate the sliding block boundary. Finally, based on the deformation and terrain data, assess the stability risk (low, medium, high) and provide the logical justification for the assessment.

Rationale: Geophysics relies heavily on interpreting visual data, and LLMs can classify and extract features from images. However, for scientific trust, the output must be explainable. While an LLM can provide a classification, scientists require the natural language justification for the decision to validate the model's internal methodology. By mandating both the quantitative rate extraction and the step-by-step interpretation of fringe patterns, the model is compelled to transparently articulate the technical basis for the high/medium/low risk classification, preventing oversimplification, a common issue in general LLM analysis.  

2.4 P04: Deep Research Synthesis and Comparative Analysis

This prompt ensures the model performs complex academic synthesis, comparing historical concepts with modern, high-resolution data sets.

P04: Plate Tectonics Paradigm Synthesis

Prompt: Act as a PhD candidate specializing in Earth system science. Compare and contrast the fundamental theory and practical implications of the International Geophysical Year's (IGY) findings regarding plate tectonics against modern insights derived from current GPS and InSAR data. Focus the comparison on three metrics: spatial resolution, capability for monitoring temporal variability, and predictive capability. Output must be a comprehensive Markdown table.

Rationale: Deep research should compel synthesis, not just retrieval. This prompt frames the context (IGY, GPS/InSAR) , specifies a highly focused comparative action ("Compare and contrast"), and demands a structured output (Markdown table), ensuring the model delivers a usable academic product focused on specific comparison metrics (resolution, temporal variability, prediction).  

2.5 P05: Prompt for Iterative Refinement and Error Correction (Feedback Loop)

LLM interactions are iterative, requiring the ability to adjust previous outputs based on user feedback or changed requirements.  

P05: Seismic Inversion Methodology Refinement

Prompt: I provided a query asking for a seismic travel-time inversion scheme, and the output focused too heavily on ray tracing instead of finite-difference methods. Refine the previous response by assuming I have access to a high-performance computing cluster and require a solution emphasizing computational efficiency and full resolution of wave propagation effects. Specifically, adjust the methodology to focus on a gradient-based approach over the previous ray-based approximation.

Rationale: This demonstrates the iterative feedback loop. By citing the deficiency (ray tracing approximation) and providing new contextual constraints (HPC access, emphasis on full wave effects), the model can self-correct and update its methodology to a more suitable, compute-intensive technique (e.g., adjoint methods or finite-difference modeling) necessary for advanced geophysical research.  

Part III: Catalog of 100 Prompts by Geophysical Sub-Discipline

The remaining 95 expert-level command prompts (P06-P100) are organized into five major sub-disciplines, each leveraging the advanced techniques described in Part II (Role-Based, CoT, Contextual Constraints, Multimodal) to address specific research challenges in geophysics.

Table 2: Catalog of Advanced Geophysical Research Prompts (P06-P100)

A. Solid Earth and Seismology (Prompts 6–25)

This domain addresses the deep interior structure, earthquake mechanics, and the rapidly growing field of environmental seismology.  

Prompt ID    Geophysical Domain    Core Action Verb    Key Constraints/Context
P06    Deep Earth Structure    Write    

Python class definition for modeling the material properties of Bridgmanite/Perovskite phase changes in the lower mantle, specifying P-T conditions.
P07    Earthquake Hazard Modeling    Summarize and Evaluate    

Synthesis of the 2023 USGS National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) updates for the Alaska region, identifying the key limitations in modeling fault ruptures.
P08    Tectonophysics    Explain    

Act as a geodynamicist. Detail the logical causality between observed radial anisotropy beneath the Arabian Plate and the origin of Cenozoic volcanism in the western Arabian Peninsula.
P09    Fault Mechanics    Outline    

Develop a comprehensive theoretical framework for synthesizing advanced multi-geophysical observations (stress accumulation, heat flow, fault rupture) into a predictive mechanical model of fault zones.
P10    Seismic Wave Theory    Describe and Derive    

Explain the physical principle of Seismoelectrics (S-E coupling) in porous media. Include the mathematical derivation linking induced electrical current density to the medium's elastic moduli.
P11    Environmental Seismology    Generate    

Python code (ObsPy) to perform automated template matching for detecting icequakes within a continuous seismic stream, optimized for glaciological applications.
P12    Rock Physics    Review    Review the latest empirical relations connecting porosity, density, and P-wave velocity in complex shale gas reservoirs, explicitly specifying constraints on effective pressure.
P13    Seismic Tomography    Critique    

Act as a peer reviewer for a BSSA paper. Evaluate the scientific robustness of a mantle tomography model constrained solely by frequency-dependent phase velocity data (excluding amplitude information).
P14    Structural Geology    Interpret    (Input: A complex 2D seismic reflection profile image.) Delineate and label all major compressional and extensional faults, specifying their apparent dip angle, estimated offset, and strain regime.
P15    Earthquake Source    Develop    A Python script to accurately calculate the moment magnitude (Mw​) from a given seismic moment (M0​) in Nm, ensuring robust handling of scientific notation and outputting the result to two decimal places.
P16    Geodynamics    Compare and Contrast    

Compare the physical assumptions and geological scenarios where the Pratt and Airy models of Isostasy provide a significantly better fit, based on crustal thickness and density variations.
P17    Tsunami Modeling    CoT Prediction    Given the focal mechanism (strike, dip, rake) and rupture area of a magnitude 8.5 subduction zone event, use CoT to calculate the potential far-field tsunami run-up height for a specified coastal area, justifying the Green's function calculation steps.
P18    Seismic Processing    Detail    Explain the mathematical basis, physical necessity, and procedural workflow for applying elevation (static) corrections in high-resolution land seismic reflection processing.
P19    Induced Seismicity    Discuss    

Synthesize recent literature on the role of pore fluid pressure diffusion in triggering induced seismicity related to deep fluid injection, such as in geothermal power extraction.
P20    Rheology    Formulate    

Formulate the constitutive equation for non-linear mantle rheology (specifically, dislocation creep) under conditions of high temperature and pressure, explicitly defining the stress exponent and activation energy terms.
P21    Noise Seismology    Write    

A Python function (ObsPy) to compute a high-quality cross-correlation function (CCF) between two virtual seismic sources (stations A and B), specifying the frequency pre-whitening and one-bit normalization steps required for ambient noise imaging.
P22    Near-Surface Seismicity    Advise    Act as a geotechnical engineer. Recommend optimal seismic P- and S-wave refraction acquisition parameters (maximum offset, geophone spacing, source type) for accurately determining bedrock depth beneath 15m of unconsolidated alluvial sediments.
P23    Wave Propagation    Analyze    Explain the phenomenon of seismic wave attenuation and absorption, differentiating rigorously between scattering attenuation, intrinsic attenuation, and their mathematical representation via the quality factor (Q).
P24    Volcano Seismology    Advise    

Act as a volcanologist. Outline a rapid response protocol for interpreting shifting volcanic tremor signals (amplitude, frequency content) to predict imminent magma conduit failure or eruption.
P25    Computational Seismology    Debug    (Input: A problematic Python code block for a 2D finite difference seismic wave propagation scheme.) Step-by-step, identify the numerical stability issue (Courant condition violation) and suggest a remedy involving time step adjustment.
 

B. Potential Fields and Geodesy (Prompts 26–45)

This area covers gravity, magnetics, the Earth’s form, and satellite-based monitoring (GNSS, InSAR, Remote Sensing).  

Prompt ID    Geophysical Domain    Core Action Verb    Key Constraints/Context
P26    Global Gravity Field    Compare and Contrast    

Detail the differences in spectral resolution, data input components (terrestrial vs. satellite), and ultimate accuracy between the EIGEN-6C4 and EGM2008 global static gravity field models for regional crustal studies.
P27    Satellite Geodesy    Explain    

Explain, as a signal processing expert, how real-time GNSS interference monitoring systems utilize LLMs to process complex, multivariate data for pattern recognition of hostile signal spoofing events.
P28    Magnetic Prospecting    Formulate    Act as an Exploration Geophysicist. Describe the standard reduction-to-the-pole procedure for aeromagnetic data acquired near the magnetic equator and justify its necessity for accurate geologic interpretation.
P29    Remote Sensing VLM    Classify and Justify    

(Input: Sentinel-2 image snippet.) Classify the land use types (few-shot examples provided) and output the classification as a JSON object, requiring the model to provide the natural language justification for each labeling decision.
P30    InSAR Interpretation    Calculate and Interpret    (Input: An InSAR deformation map image.) Calculate the line-of-sight velocity profile along a specific, defined transect (CoT required), explaining the calculation steps based on fringe order and wavelength.
P31    Geodesy/GIS    Write    

Generate a single, production-ready spatial SQL query (PostGIS syntax required) to find all commercial rental buildings within a 50-meter Euclidean buffer zone of a mapped, high-confidence active fault line (provided schema included).
P32    GRACE/Mass Change    Detail    

Explain the physical principle by which the GRACE and GRACE-FO satellite missions monitor climate-related mass changes, focusing on the role of inter-satellite ranging in detecting gravity fluctuations.
P33    Airborne Geophysics    Propose    Propose an optimal high-resolution aeromagnetic survey design (altitude, line spacing, sensor type) tailored to detect deeply buried, low-susceptibility mineral deposits beneath 100m of basalt cover.
P34    Gravity Survey    Describe    Detail the necessary field procedures, data acquisition protocols, and the sequence of data corrections (tidal, drift, terrain, free-air, Bouguer) required to successfully conduct a microgravity survey for sinkhole detection.
P35    Planetary Geophysics    Review    

Act as a Planetary Scientist. Review the current state of knowledge regarding Mars's internal structure and core state as constrained by magnetic field observations and recent gravity data from the InSight mission.
P36    Remote Sensing VLM    Identify and Address    

Identify the core technical challenges Visual Language Models (VLMs) face in the remote sensing (RS) field, particularly concerning the necessary alignment of language interpretation with high-resolution, multi-spectral visual information.
P37    GPS Data Processing    Generate    A Python script (few-shot provided) using the Pylib library to read raw RINEX observation files, convert them into time-series displacement data (North, East, Up), explicitly applying an appropriate atmospheric delay model correction.
P38    Crustal Structure    Discuss    Discuss the key geophysical evidence (seismic velocities, gravity signatures) for and against the existence of oceanic crustal delamination beneath active continental collision zones.
P39    Magnetosphere    Define    

Define the Earth's magnetosphere and explain its dynamic interaction with solar wind plasmas, detailing the role of Earth's magnetic field in protecting the atmosphere.
P40    Geophysical Data Visualization    Design    Design a comprehensive visualization template (specifying color scales, map projections, data resolution, and data overlays) for presenting a combined gravity/magnetic anomaly map over a known geologic province, optimized for geological interpretation.
P41    Time Series Analysis    CoT Forecasting    Given 10 years of observed GPS baseline extension data (provided in context), use CoT to forecast the cumulative crustal strain accumulation over the next 5 years, justifying the chosen time-series statistical model (e.g., ARIMA or Kalman filter).
P42    Geomagnetism    Formulate    Formulate the fundamental problem of Secular Variation (SV) modeling of the Earth's magnetic field, detailing the limitations imposed by the sparsity of magnetic observatories and the difficulty in estimating core-mantle boundary (CMB) flux estimates.
P43    Density Modeling    Calculate    

Act as a geological engineer. Calculate the theoretical Bouguer gravity anomaly caused by a known sedimentary basin (density contrast and geometry provided) using numerical integration of Newton's law of gravitation.
P44    GIS Workflow    Detail    Detail the procedural steps necessary to integrate high-resolution airborne LiDAR data with terrestrial high-accuracy GPS survey points to create a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) optimized for rapid geohazard analysis.
P45    Geoid Determination    Explain    Explain the relationship between the geoid, the quasigeoid, and the reference ellipsoid in physical geodesy, detailing why high-accuracy land leveling and height determination requires robust geoid models.
 

C. Electromagnetics (EM) and Electrical Methods (Prompts 46–65)

This category is crucial for resource exploration, deep conductivity studies, and environmental applications, specifically hydrogeophysics.  

Prompt ID    Geophysical Domain    Core Action Verb    Key Constraints/Context
P46    Hydrogeophysics/ERT    Advise    

Act as a hydrogeophysicist. Recommend the optimal Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) electrode array (e.g., dipole-dipole vs. Wenner) for characterizing deep, sub-vertical bedrock fractures containing highly saline groundwater, justifying the choice based on sensitivity.
P47    Time-Domain EM (TDEM)    Describe    

Describe the fundamental physical differences in signal measurement, investigation depth, and data processing requirements between Frequency-domain EM (FDEM) and Time-domain EM (TDEM) instruments in near-surface applications.
P48    Electromagnetics Theory    Derive    

Derive the governing differential equation (the diffusion equation) for the propagation of electromagnetic waves in a conductive, non-magnetic subsurface medium, starting explicitly from the four Maxwell’s equations.
P49    Magnetotellurics (MT)    Discuss    

Discuss the utility of Magnetotellurics (MT) for determining deep crustal and mantle electrical conductivity structure, emphasizing its primary sensitivity to fluids and geothermal reservoirs.
P50    Hydrogeophysics/GPR    Compare and Contrast    

Compare Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity methods for long-term autonomous monitoring of seasonal variations in soil moisture content, addressing the specific sensitivity of each method to clay content and salinity.
P51    Induced Polarization (IP)    Explain    Explain the physical mechanism that gives rise to the Induced Polarization (IP) effect in mineral exploration, differentiating clearly between membrane polarization (clays) and electrode polarization (sulfide minerals).
P52    Geophysical Instrumentation    Advise    

Act as a technical consultant. Provide specific feedback and contacts regarding autonomous resistivity meters capable of performing daily, remote monitoring with 100 electrodes, suitable for a solar-powered, large-scale doctoral project site.
P53    Near-Surface EM    Detail    

Detail the practical steps and necessary corrections for using bulk ground conductivity meters (EMI) for initial, rapid reconnaissance work in forensic geophysics investigations, accounting for above-ground EM interference.
P54    Contaminant Plumes    CoT Modeling    

Outline a sequential geophysical strategy (ERT, FDEM, GPR) and the necessary interpretation steps (CoT required) to successfully delineate and monitor a non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminant plume in a heterogeneous aquifer.
P55    Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)    Describe    Describe the function and application of Surface Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SNMR) in hydrogeophysics, specifically its unique capability to directly estimate free water content and hydraulic permeability in the shallow subsurface.
P56    Transient EM    Write    A Python script to calculate the apparent conductivity from raw Transient EM (TEM) decay data (input list provided), specifying the required time-windowing steps and appropriate late-time filtering.
P57    Electrical Conductivity    Connect    

Connect the microscopic physical properties (water content, clay content, salinity) that govern the bulk electrical conductivity of geological materials to the derived geophysical properties measured by EM induction surveys.
P58    Deep Earth Conductivity    Discuss    Discuss the role of trace hydrogen and water content in high-pressure mantle minerals (e.g., ringwoodite) in affecting deep electrical conductivity profiles derived from global MT studies.
P59    Mineral Exploration EM    Solve    Act as an exploration geophysicist. A deep VMS deposit is non-magnetic. Propose the most effective combination of controlled-source EM methods (loop configurations, frequencies) to locate the target conductor beneath 500m of thick, conductive overburden.
P60    Borehole Geophysics    Detail    

Detail the complimentary nature of spectral gamma logs and EM conductivity probes in characterizing vertical changes in lithologic and hydrologic character of the subsurface, citing typical resolution limits.
P61    Environmental Monitoring    Compare    

Compare the effectiveness of Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in assessing subsurface heterogeneity for high-resolution agricultural soil moisture and root zone mapping.
P62    Data Inversion    Explain    Explain the theoretical concept of regularization (specifically, Tikhonov regularization) in 2D resistivity inversion, detailing its role in stabilizing the inverse problem and producing geologically plausible models.
P63    Bio-geophysics    Analyze    

Analyze the challenges and inherent opportunities in using Self-Potential (SP) measurements to monitor subsurface microbial processes and resulting biogeochemical cycles near the water table.
P64    Urban Geophysics    List    

List the key challenges and primary sources of high-frequency noise when performing bulk ground conductivity surveys (EMI) in densely populated urban environments for geotechnical investigation.
P65    Remote Sensing EM    Outline    

Outline a methodology for integrating airborne Time-Domain EM (TDEM) data with satellite-based remote sensing data (e.g., spectral indices) to improve regional mapping of deep groundwater salinization across coastal plains.
 

D. Exploration and Resource Geophysics (Prompts 66–80)

Focuses on applied geophysics for energy and mineral resources, including advanced seismic processing and reservoir characterization.  

Prompt ID    Geophysical Domain    Core Action Verb    Key Constraints/Context
P66    Seismic Prospecting    Describe    

Describe the common high-level flow of a 3D land seismic processing sequence used for hydrocarbon exploration, starting from raw data demultiplexing through to the final migration step.
P67    Full Waveform Inversion (FWI)    Evaluate    

Critically evaluate the current state-of-the-art in FWI implementation, focusing specifically on challenges related to building accurate starting models and the logistical difficulty of recording sufficient low-frequency content.
P68    Mineral Prospectivity    Detail    

Act as a Mineral Exploration Geoscientist. Detail a structured workflow for Mineral Prospectivity Mapping (MPM) that leverages sequential, step-by-step prompts and reasoning mechanisms within an MLLM framework, emulating expert decision-making.
P69    Geothermal Exploration    CoT Analysis    

Given contextual data on regional heat flow, deep magnetotelluric anomalies, and observed microseismicity, use CoT to prioritize three potential geothermal reservoir sites, justifying the weighting criteria assigned to each geophysical signature.
P70    Oil & Gas Reservoir    Interpret    Act as a Reservoir Engineer. Interpret the physical significance of an observed Class II AVO (Amplitude Variation with Offset) anomaly identified on a pre-stack gather, relating it to potential lithology and reservoir fluid content (e.g., wet vs. gas sand).
P71    Seismic Inversion    Compare and Contrast    Compare post-stack acoustic impedance inversion with pre-stack elastic impedance inversion, focusing on the distinct rock properties each method resolves and the added value of elastic properties for reservoir quality prediction.
P72    Exploration Geophysics History    Discuss    

Discuss the historical development and role of applied geophysics in driving major computational and data management innovations (e.g., processing of digital signals and visualization) over the past century.
P73    Hydraulic Fracturing    Explain    

Explain in detail how microseismic monitoring networks are deployed and utilized to map the spatial and temporal distribution of induced fractures and their geometric characteristics during unconventional resource recovery.
P74    Mining Geophysics    Describe    

Describe the application and methodology of Radiometric Methods in mineral exploration, detailing how the spatial distribution of natural radioactive decay products (Potassium, Uranium, Thorium) is measured and interpreted to locate ore bodies.
P75    Exploration Case Study    Interpret    (Input: A cross-section image showing a large salt dome structure disturbing layered sedimentary reflectors.) Interpret the geological hazards associated with drilling in this pressurized, mobile environment and suggest necessary geophysical mitigation strategies.
P76    Carbon Capture Storage (CCS)    Outline    Outline the comprehensive geophysical monitoring strategy (including 4D seismic repeatability, high-precision gravity surveys) required to ensure the long-term integrity and containment of injected CO2 in a deep saline aquifer storage reservoir.
P77    Seismic Velocity Modeling    CoT Formulation    Formulate a non-linear velocity update equation used in advanced seismic migration, requiring CoT steps to ensure correct mathematical treatment of interval velocity estimation from migration velocity analysis.
P78    Exploration Ethics    Discuss    

Act as an ethics panel member for the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG). Discuss the ethical obligations of geophysicists in balancing the societal need for energy and mineral resource development with mandated environmental impact assessment.
P79    Groundwater Prospecting    Detail    

Detail the effective use and interpretational considerations of microgravity prospecting methods for accurately locating and mapping deep, unconsolidated groundwater reservoirs in highly complex karstic terrain.
P80    Seismic Data Processing    Write    A short Python script using NumPy to perform a simple 1D convolution of a zero-phase Ricker wavelet (frequency 30 Hz) with a synthetic reflectivity series (input provided), optimized for speed.
 

E. Near-Surface and Environmental Geophysics (Prompts 81–100)

This section covers specialized, high-resolution applications related to geotechnical, environmental, hydrogeological, and archaeological surveys.  

Prompt ID    Geophysical Domain    Core Action Verb    Key Constraints/Context
P81    GPR/Archaeology    Interpret    

Act as an archaeological geophysicist. Interpret the GPR profile provided (Input: GPR image showing a linear pattern of hyperbolic reflections) to identify and characterize potential buried archaeological features (e.g., foundation walls or ditches).
P82    Geohazards/Landslides    Recommend    

Recommend a combined geophysical survey strategy (Seismic Refraction for depth, Electrical Resistivity for water content) optimized for characterizing the depth, geometry, and failure plane of an unstable, highly saturated landslide mass.
P83    Environmental Monitoring    Discuss    

Discuss how the inherent heterogeneity of soil moisture content and variable vegetation distributions complicate the inversion and interpretation of near-surface electrical resistivity surveys.
P84    Cryosphere Geophysics    CoT Analysis    

Explain the methodology and underlying physics (permittivity contrasts) of using high-frequency GPR to monitor dynamic changes in permafrost active layer thickness over multiple seasonal cycles (CoT required for procedural steps).
P85    Forensic Geophysics    Outline    

Act as a forensic geophysicist. Outline a standard operating procedure (SOP) for utilizing GPR and high-sensitivity magnetometer surveys to search for concealed clandestine graves, specifying the anticipated geophysical anomalies for both methods.
P86    Hydrogeology    Detail    

Detail the integrated use of seismic surface wave techniques (MASW) combined with borehole logging data (e.g., EM conductivity) to accurately characterize alluvial thickness and bedrock depth for sustainable groundwater resource management.
P87    Infrastructure Geophysics    Describe    Describe the application of high-frequency GPR for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of concrete bridge decks and other infrastructure, focusing on methods for detecting rebar corrosion or internal structural voids.
P88    Agricultural Geophysics    Compare and Contrast    

Compare the physical principles and practical resolution limits of Frequency-Domain EM (FDEM) and Time-Domain EM (TDEM) instruments for efficiently mapping soil salinity across large agricultural fields.
P89    Critical Zone Studies    Review    

Act as a Critical Zone Scientist. Review the current methodological challenges in using near-surface geophysics to monitor subsurface microbial processes, focusing on their direct impact on hydrologic flow paths and geochemical gradients.
P90    Near-Surface Hazard    Write    A Python script to calculate the factor of safety against static liquefaction for a potentially unstable sand layer based on provided input parameters (SPT N-value, unit weight, water table depth).
P91    Distributed Sensing    Explain    

Explain the emerging technique of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and its specific potential application in monitoring transient geomorphological processes, such as localized bedload transport or small-scale rockfall events.
P92    Hydrogeophysics/Permeability    Connect    

Connect the measured geophysical properties (electrical conductivity, bulk porosity, P-wave seismic velocity) to the derived hydrological property of hydraulic permeability in unconsolidated sediments.
P93    Engineering Geophysics    Detail    Detail the complete application and data processing workflow of seismic refraction methods for estimating dynamic stiffness properties (e.g., Young’s Modulus and Poisson's ratio) of near-surface foundation materials.
P94    GPR Interpretation    Multimodal Constraints    

(Input: A GPR image showing complex, highly attenuated hyperbolas in a high-clay environment.) Interpret the image, focusing specifically on why the observed penetration depth is severely limited, and recommend the necessary alternative method (ERT).
P95    Environmental Forensics    Compare    

Compare the typical resolution and maximum penetration depth limitations of GPR versus electrical resistivity methods for delineating deep, high-conductivity metal contamination plumes in a landfill setting.
P96    Thermal Geophysics    Calculate    Calculate the expected magnitude and spatial extent of the surface heat flow anomaly (CoT required) resulting from an assumed buried pluton (geometry, thermal properties, and depth provided).
P97    Geophysics Education    Create    

Act as a geoscience professor. Create a zero-shot, multiple-choice quiz question for graduate students regarding the principles of convective heat transfer and its role in the Earth's lithosphere-asthenosphere system.
P98    Near-Surface Borehole    Explain    

Explain the procedural steps and interpretation required to use slim-hole geophysical probes (specifically spectral gamma logs) to identify and differentiate lithology, such as shaley sand versus clean sand.
P99    Coastal Geophysics    Describe    

Describe the application of high-resolution marine seismic reflection methods (e.g., chirp sonar) for mapping submerged infrastructure, defining coastal plain strata thickness, and locating shallow marine gas pockets.
P100    Climate Modeling    Discuss    

Discuss the role of oceanography and Thermohaline Circulation (THC) in regulating global climate, specifying the key geophysical parameters (e.g., density, salinity, temperature) that govern the long-term stability of THC.
 

Part IV: Implementation and Verification: Testing the Prompt Library

The development of a comprehensive prompt catalog is only the first step. For these tools to be effective in scientific research, computational geophysicists must understand how to utilize advanced prompt strategies to maximize efficiency and minimize error.

4.1 Case Study: Utilizing Gemini for Seismic Code Generation

The generation of executable, production-ready code is a hallmark of high-utility LLM application. The objective is not just functional code but efficient and correct code.  

When executing Prompt P02 (ObsPy Seismic Filtering Function), for instance, the model must handle domain-specific constraints. While approaches like Chain-of-Thought (CoT) inherently improve accuracy by forcing the model to perform sequential, step-by-step processing, this often comes at the cost of increased token usage and computational load.  

However, the analysis of LLM behavior demonstrates that by precisely defining the language and library constraints—a technique known as Contextual Prompting—in the initial prompt, the model is directed toward the optimal solution path immediately. This focused guidance can achieve improved accuracy and performance (often measured by the Pass@k metric in coding tasks) while simultaneously reducing the token overhead associated with pure CoT strategies. This balance between analytical rigor and computational efficiency is paramount for geophysicists who execute hundreds of such code generation tasks in a single project. The precise definition of constraints, such as "using the ObsPy library" and "normalize the trace amplitude," serves as a mandatory self-review mechanism, ensuring the generated output adheres to necessary performance and architectural requirements.  

4.2 Case Study: Multimodal Prompting for InSAR Interpretation

The ability of Gemini to process visual inputs alongside text is crucial for geophysics, especially in fields like geodesy and remote sensing. Effective multimodal analysis, demonstrated in Prompt P03, relies fundamentally on the specificity mandate.  

An inadequate prompt might simply ask the model to "Describe this InSAR image." This results in a general description. The specialized Prompt P03, however, demands specific, quantitative data extraction ("identify the maximum surface displacement rate in mm/year") and a complex, structural interpretation ("delineate the sliding block boundary"). Furthermore, the model must provide a risk assessment and the logical justification for that assessment.  

This requirement for justification serves two critical functions. First, it counters the observed tendency of LLMs in remote sensing analysis to be accurate but potentially incomplete, often simplifying complex technical details or overlooking crucial domain-specific nuances. Second, mandating the output of the logical steps—the natural language equivalent of CoT for visual data—provides methodological transparency. If the model makes an error (e.g., misidentifying the fault boundary), the researcher can audit the model's articulated process, rather than just receiving a blind, confident, but incorrect answer. This step ensures that the interpretation maintains scientific validity and is debuggable, essential for hazard assessment.  

4.3 Guidelines for Auditing and Validating LLM Output for Scientific Integrity

The power of generative models is accompanied by the inherent risk of producing scientifically plausible but factually incorrect outputs, known as "hallucinations". Maintaining scientific integrity requires researchers to proactively employ auditing and validation strategies built into the prompt structure itself.  

Several mechanisms within the prompt catalog mitigate this risk:

    Mandatory Citation and Source Grounding: For review or synthesis prompts (e.g., P67, P72), the instruction must mandate the inclusion of citations or references to specific foundational works or publications. This forces the model to ground its generative response in its training data structure related to source material, enhancing verifiability.   

External Context Augmentation: When dealing with proprietary or highly specific data (e.g., seismic velocity models, schemata for spatial SQL P31), the prompt should explicitly provide that context. This constrains the model’s reliance on generalized training data, ensuring the output is tailored to the project’s local reality.  

Simulated Peer Review and Self-Correction: A highly effective auditing technique involves using the LLM’s role-playing capacity to critique its own work. After generating an initial technical response (e.g., a fluid flow model P54), the researcher can submit a follow-up prompt: “Act as a skeptical external peer reviewer. Based on the geological context provided, identify three potential logical flaws or oversimplifications in the model generated above, focusing specifically on boundary condition assumptions.” This utilizes the model's analytical strength to rigorously challenge its own initial conclusions, simulating the external peer review process crucial for scientific validation.  

Conclusions

The application of Google’s Gemini in geophysical research, guided by expert prompt engineering, represents a significant augmentation of the traditional scientific workflow. This extensive catalog of 100 command prompts demonstrates that the model’s value is maximized not through simple queries, but through highly structured, multi-component commands.

The systematic integration of specialized roles (e.g., FWI specialist, hydrogeophysicist), mandatory Chain-of-Thought directives, and explicit contextual constraints transforms Gemini into a powerful co-processor for hypothesis testing, code generation, complex data synthesis, and multimodal image interpretation.

The capability to translate natural language into specialized geospatial code (spatial SQL) or Python scripts (ObsPy) positions Gemini as critical automation middleware, accelerating the transition from scientific idea to computational reality. Furthermore, by demanding logical justification for interpretations, particularly in multimodal analysis (InSAR), researchers ensure methodological transparency, safeguarding the output against the risks of incompleteness or technical inaccuracy.

Ultimately, these 100 expertly structured command prompts provide a foundation for computational geophysicists to leverage Gemini’s advanced capabilities efficiently, ensuring that the resulting research is both rigorous and reflective of state-of-the-art scientific understanding.