Journal of Geophysical Research
The Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original research articles on the physical, chemical, and biological processes contributing to the dynamics of Earth, planets, and the solar system.[1] Founded in 1896 as Terrestrial Magnetism, the journal was acquired by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in 1958 and renamed the Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) in 1959, serving as AGU's flagship publication for advancing geophysical sciences.[2] Published by the nonprofit AGU in partnership with Wiley, JGR appears monthly and emphasizes high-impact, interdisciplinary studies across Earth and space sciences.[1][2] Originally encompassing broad geophysical topics, JGR evolved structurally over time; by the late 20th century, it was divided into specialized sections to better serve diverse subfields, with the current configuration separating into distinct journals under the JGR umbrella.[3] These include JGR: Atmospheres, focusing on atmospheric properties and interactions; JGR: Biogeosciences, addressing Earth system biogeochemistry; JGR: Earth Surface, exploring surface processes and geomorphology; JGR: Oceans, covering ocean physics and chemistry; JGR: Planets, investigating planetary geology and atmospheres; JGR: Solid Earth, delving into seismology, tectonics, and geodynamics; and JGR: Space Physics, examining magnetospheric and ionospheric phenomena.[4][5] A newer addition, JGR: Machine Learning and Computation, launched in 2024, integrates computational methods with geophysical research.[2] All sections prioritize rigorous peer review, open access options (with over 70% of AGU content immediately open), and contributions that enhance understanding of global environmental and planetary systems.[2] With an annual output of thousands of articles, JGR remains a cornerstone for researchers, boasting impact factors ranging from 2.9 to 4.1 across sections as of 2024 and influencing policy, education, and discovery in geosciences.[6][2][7]Overview
General Description
The Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary scientific journal published by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Earth and space sciences.[2] Established as AGU's flagship publication, JGR disseminates original research on physical, chemical, and biological processes across geophysical domains.[6] In 2013, JGR transitioned from a single unified journal to a family of seven specialized section journals—Atmospheres, Biogeosciences, Earth Surface, Oceans, Planets, Solid Earth, and Space Physics—all maintained under the overarching JGR brand to better serve diverse subfields while preserving its multidisciplinary identity.[3] A newer section, JGR: Machine Learning and Computation, was added in 2024.[8] The sections are published bi-weekly or monthly, totaling over 80 issues annually across the family, with content released in a digital-first model that prioritizes rapid online availability.[9] AGU partners with Wiley to host JGR content via the Wiley Online Library (part of the AGU Publications platform), enabling open access options and enhanced discoverability for global researchers.[2] Submissions to JGR are handled through AGU's Geophysical Electronic Manuscript System (GEMS), where manuscripts undergo single-anonymized peer review by experts in the relevant section.[10] The process emphasizes rigorous evaluation of scientific merit, originality, and clarity, with average times to first decision ranging from 45 to 60 days depending on the section and manuscript complexity.[4] This structure supports efficient dissemination of high-quality geophysical research while accommodating the journal's broad scope.Scope and Aims
The Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) aims to advance the fundamental understanding of Earth, planets, and space by publishing original scientific research on the physical, chemical, biological, and computational processes that govern these systems.[1] This core mission focuses on high-quality, peer-reviewed contributions that elucidate natural phenomena across scales, from local interactions to global and planetary dynamics.[11] JGR emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches that integrate diverse methodologies, including field observations, laboratory experiments, theoretical modeling, numerical simulations, and advanced data analysis, to address complex geophysical questions.[11] Such integration is essential for exploring connections between Earth system components, such as atmospheric-oceanic interactions or solid Earth influences on climate.[12] The journal accepts full research articles, typically limited to 25 publication units (equivalent to approximately 12,000 words or a combination of text and figures/tables), technical reports up to 13 publication units, and contributions to special collections on timely topics like climate modeling and planetary exploration.[13] It excludes purely descriptive studies lacking novel insights or broad implications, as well as non-peer-reviewed or incremental work without significant scientific advancement.[11] This scope aligns closely with the American Geophysical Union's (AGU) mission to promote discovery in Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity, particularly by supporting research that informs solutions to environmental challenges like climate change and natural hazards.[14] JGR's eight specialized sections serve as dedicated outlets for these interdisciplinary efforts within the broader geophysical domain.[9]History
Origins and Founding
The Journal of Geophysical Research traces its origins to 1896, when Louis Agricola Bauer, a pioneering American geophysicist and later the first director of the Carnegie Institution's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, founded the quarterly publication Terrestrial Magnetism. Bauer, who served as its inaugural editor, established the journal to advance the systematic study of Earth's magnetic field, focusing on geomagnetism, early instrumental measurements, and related atmospheric phenomena such as auroras. As a precursor to the organized efforts of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the journal filled a critical gap in international scientific communication at a time when terrestrial magnetism was emerging as a foundational discipline in geophysics, driven by the need for standardized data on magnetic declination, inclination, and intensity.[15][16][17] Initially published by the University of Chicago Press, the first volume appeared in 1896 and comprised four issues spanning January to October, featuring contributions on magnetic theory, observational techniques, and global surveys from contributors including European and American scientists. By the early 1900s, following Bauer's appointment as director of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism at the newly established Carnegie Institution of Washington in 1904, the journal became closely associated with the institution's research program, which emphasized precise magnetic observations to map Earth's field variations. This alignment supported landmark expeditions, such as those aboard the non-magnetic research vessel Carnegie, launched in 1909, which conducted worldwide cruises to collect oceanic magnetic data essential for understanding secular changes in the geomagnetic field. The journal played a pivotal role in disseminating results from these efforts, fostering conceptual advancements in geophysics amid growing international collaboration on magnetic standardization.[18][19][20] The founding of AGU in 1919 marked a turning point, with the Section of Terrestrial Magnetism and Atmospheric Electricity becoming one of the society's original seven sections, reflecting the journal's influence in shaping the field. This growing involvement by AGU, including joint meetings and shared resources with the Carnegie Institution, laid the groundwork for deeper integration, culminating in the journal's renaming to the Journal of Geophysical Research in 1949 to broaden its scope beyond magnetism while still under the Carnegie Institution.[21][17]Key Milestones and Evolution
In 1949, the journal was renamed the Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) to reflect the growing interdisciplinary nature of geophysical sciences following World War II, allowing for a wider range of submissions on topics such as seismology, oceanography, and atmospheric dynamics. Full control was transferred to the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in 1959, when the Carnegie Institution handed over ownership.[22] By 1959, AGU formally acquired the journal, solidifying its ownership and increasing its publication frequency from quarterly to monthly issues, while integrating it more closely with AGU's Transactions.[22] This change supported the rapid growth in geophysical research output during the International Geophysical Year (1957–1958) and beyond, enabling timelier dissemination of findings.[22] During the 1980s, amid a post-WWII boom in geophysical studies driven by advances in instrumentation and space exploration, JGR introduced lettered sections (A through F) to organize content by discipline, starting with sections A (Space Physics), B (Solid Earth), and C (Oceans) in 1980, followed by D (Atmospheres) in 1984 and E (Planets) in 1991.[23] These divisions improved thematic coherence and editorial oversight, accommodating the journal's expanding volume of submissions.[23] In 2013, AGU partnered with Wiley for publishing, migrating JGR content to their platform and assigning distinct identifiers to sections, which facilitated their evolution into standalone journals (e.g., JGR: Atmospheres, JGR: Solid Earth) by 2016, each with dedicated editorial boards to enhance specialization and discoverability in an era of digital publishing.[24][25] This evolution aligned with AGU's partnership with Wiley, facilitating targeted peer review and broader accessibility for subdisciplinary research.[25] The journal shifted to online-only publication in 2005, eliminating print editions to reduce costs and accelerate global distribution.[1] In 2016, AGU adopted hybrid open access options for JGR sections, allowing authors to pay for immediate open access while maintaining subscription-based access, in response to growing demands for equitable dissemination.[26] The 2023 launch of an eighth section, JGR: Machine Learning and Computation, addressed the integration of artificial intelligence and computational methods in geosciences, reflecting technological advancements, with the first issue appearing in 2024.[8]Publication Structure
Current Sections
The Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) is organized into eight disciplinary sections, each focusing on specific aspects of Earth and space sciences while maintaining the journal's overarching commitment to advancing understanding of geophysical processes. These sections collectively publish approximately 5,000 articles per year, covering a wide range of original research. All sections operate under the JGR branding with a hybrid open access model, where authors can choose immediate open access publication for an article processing charge (APC) of $4,070 USD (with base and excess page fees waived); the Machine Learning and Computation section is fully open access. Cross-section special issues facilitate interdisciplinary work, such as those addressing climate system interactions or computational advancements across geosciences.[7][27] Atmospheres focuses on advancing the understanding of atmospheric properties and processes, including interactions with the ocean, land surface, and other Earth system components, through observational, theoretical, and modeling studies of dynamics, chemistry, radiation, and aerosols. The section's Editor-in-Chief is Yafang Cheng, and it publishes approximately 1,700 articles annually, with unique features including emphasis on global climate modeling and air quality assessments.[28][12][7] Biogeosciences explores the biogeosciences of the Earth system across past, present, and future timescales, emphasizing natural and synthetic biological observations, experiments, and models to predict ecosystem behavior, carbon cycling, and nutrient dynamics. Led by Editor-in-Chief Marguerite A. Xenopoulos, the section publishes around 600 articles per year and uniquely incorporates method and data articles since 2022 to support reproducible biogeochemical research.[29][30][7] Earth Surface addresses the physical, chemical, and biological processes shaping Earth's surface, including geomorphology, hydrology, erosion, sediment transport, and human-environment interactions at local to global scales. Editor-in-Chief Ann Rowan oversees the section, which outputs about 250 articles annually and features a strong focus on interdisciplinary studies integrating remote sensing and field data for landscape evolution.[31][7] Machine Learning and Computation, launched in 2023, is dedicated to innovative data-driven and computational methods, including artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, to solve Earth and space science challenges such as predictive modeling and large-scale data analysis. Founding Editor-in-Chief Enrico Camporeale guides the fully open access section, which publishes roughly 150 articles per year and uniquely prioritizes methodological advancements with geophysical validation.[32][8][7] Oceans covers the physics, chemistry, biology, and geology of ocean processes and their interactions with the broader Earth system, including circulation, waves, biogeochemical cycles, and climate variability. The section, under Editor-in-Chief Lisa Beal, produces approximately 800 articles annually and includes unique emphases on observational campaigns and coupled ocean-atmosphere models.[33][7] Planets encompasses planetary science topics such as geology, geophysics, geochemistry, atmospheres, interiors, and solar system origins, with a focus on comparative planetology. Co-Editors-in-Chief Amanda Hendrix and Debra Buczkowski lead the section, which publishes about 300 articles per year and uniquely integrates analysis of data from space missions like those from NASA and ESA.[34][7] Solid Earth publishes research on solid Earth geophysics, including seismology, tectonics, petrology, geochemistry, mineralogy, and volcanology, aiming to elucidate crustal and mantle dynamics. Editor-in-Chief Alexandre Schubnel directs the section, outputting around 500 articles annually, with distinctive coverage of integrated geophysical and geochemical datasets for tectonic reconstructions.[35][11][7] Space Physics investigates space environment phenomena, including magnetospheres, ionospheres, aurorae, solar-terrestrial interactions, and planetary magnetospheres, through theoretical, observational, and simulation approaches. Former Editor-in-Chief Michael Balikhin passed away on October 26, 2025; as of November 2025, Natalia Ganushkina is serving as interim Editor-in-Chief and will assume the full role starting January 1, 2026. The section oversees approximately 700 articles per year, featuring unique analyses of satellite data from missions like THEMIS and MMS.[7][36]Historical Development of Sections
The Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) operated as a single, unified publication from its inception in 1949 until the late 1960s, encompassing a broad range of geophysical topics without formal sectional divisions. During this pre-section era, content was organized ad hoc within annual volumes, grouping papers thematically by discipline such as magnetism, seismology, and atmospheric electricity, reflecting the journal's roots in the earlier Terrestrial Magnetism and Atmospheric Electricity (renamed JGR in 1949). This format accommodated the growing volume of submissions but led to challenges in navigation and specialization as geophysical research expanded post-World War II.[22] In response to surging publication demands, AGU introduced the first formal sections in 1969: JGR-A for Space Physics, JGR-B for Solid Earth and Planets, and JGR-C for Oceans and Atmospheres, published in alternating issues to manage print constraints. By 1978, these evolved into distinct titles with dedicated volumes (starting at volume 83), enhancing focus and accessibility; JGR-C remained combined until further specialization in the 1980s, when it split into JGR-C (Oceans, formalized around 1980) and JGR-D (Atmospheres, starting in 1984). Subsequent additions included JGR-E (Planets) in 1991, separating planetary topics from solid Earth studies in JGR-B, which then refocused solely on Solid Earth. In the early 2000s, JGR-F (Earth Surface) launched in 2003 to address surface processes and geomorphology, followed by JGR-G (Biogeosciences) in 2005 to cover interdisciplinary Earth-life interactions. These developments allowed JGR to adapt to emerging subfields while maintaining disciplinary integrity.[22][37] A major restructuring occurred in 2013, when the sections transitioned to independent journals with unique ISSNs under the JGR umbrella (e.g., Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics), improving digital indexing, citation tracking, and editorial autonomy without altering the overall scope. This shift addressed limitations in treating JGR as a monolithic entity for metrics and discoverability, though the sections retained collaborative ties through AGU. No new sections emerged until 2023, when JGR: Machine Learning and Computation was added to accommodate the rapid rise of AI and data-driven methods in geophysics, spurred by over 1,700 AGU conference abstracts incorporating such terms in 2022 alone; it complements existing sections by emphasizing computational tools across domains like planetary interiors and biogeosciences.[38][8] Throughout its evolution, JGR avoided mergers of sections to preserve specialized focus, instead pursuing scope adjustments to integrate interdisciplinary advances, such as expanded coverage of ocean-climate linkages in JGR: Oceans during the 2000s amid growing climate research. These adaptations ensured the journal's relevance amid technological and scientific shifts, from print alternations to open-access digital formats, while prioritizing high-impact, peer-reviewed contributions in geophysics.[22]Indexing and Metrics
Abstracting and Indexing Services
The Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) is indexed in several major abstracting and indexing services, ensuring broad discoverability of its content across geosciences disciplines. Scopus provides comprehensive coverage for most sections, with records dating back to the late 1970s or early 1980s depending on the section, such as 1979–1980 and 1985–2025 for Solid Earth.[39] Web of Science's Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) includes all JGR sections as part of its core collection, with high h-indices reflecting long-term impact, such as 284 for Solid Earth and 204 for Space Physics based on Scopus metrics (Web of Science values are comparably elevated).[39][40] GeoRef, a geoscience-specific database maintained by the American Geosciences Institute, indexes the full range of JGR articles from its inception in 1896, covering North American geology from 1666 and global content from 1933 onward.[41] Discipline-specific indexing enhances targeted access for researchers. For instance, INSPEC (Institution of Engineering and Technology) covers physics and engineering aspects, including Space Physics content on magnetospheric and ionospheric studies.[11] Aquatic Sciences & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) indexes JGR: Oceans articles on physical, biogeochemical, and sedimentary ocean processes.[42] Biological Abstracts, via Clarivate Analytics, includes relevant biogeosciences papers on Earth system interactions.[30] Archival services preserve historical volumes for long-term access. JSTOR provides digitized early issues from 1896 to 2000, facilitating research into foundational geophysical studies. Portico ensures perpetual archiving of all JGR content through its partnership with the American Geophysical Union (AGU), safeguarding against potential disruptions in electronic access.[43] All JGR sections receive full indexing in these services, with digital object identifiers (DOIs) assigned via CrossRef since 2000 to support global discoverability and linking. For open access content, relevant articles are deposited in PubMed Central when they intersect with biomedical or life sciences themes, while fully open access sections like Machine Learning and Computation are listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).[44] These indexing mechanisms contribute to the journal's citation metrics, as explored in subsequent analyses.[39]Citation Impact and Rankings
The Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR) family of journals has amassed over 5 million citations since its inception in 1896, reflecting its enduring influence in the geosciences, with an aggregate h-index of 565.[45] These metrics encompass the legacy unified journal and its current sections, underscoring the breadth of impactful research published across Earth and space sciences.[45] Section-specific impact factors for 2024, as reported by Clarivate Analytics, vary by discipline but demonstrate consistent prestige within geophysics subfields. The following table summarizes these values:| Section | 2024 Impact Factor |
|---|---|
| JGR: Atmospheres | 3.4 |
| JGR: Biogeosciences | 3.5 |
| JGR: Earth Surface | 3.8 |
| JGR: Oceans | 3.4 |
| JGR: Planets | 4.0 |
| JGR: Solid Earth | 4.1 |
| JGR: Space Physics | 2.9 |