The Meter Reader—The tools of the trade in gravity and magnetics, 1978–1988

The 1980s were an exciting time in oil and gas. In the United States, energy security was threatened, and exploration budgets were high; the industry was acquiring new types of geophysical data; computer technology changed how we used geophysical data in exploration; and more women were entering geophysics. In potential fields, computer mapping and modeling facilitated the robust integration of gravity and magnetic data into exploration workflows. Computer technology also redefined the necessary skills and tools for exploration geophysicists. Here, I reflect on my early career in a rapidly evolving industry.