Science Menu
Geology
If you want to save planet Earth you have to understand how Earth works. Geology is the study of Earth, its physical processes and cycles, materials, systems, history, and the interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
Geology can be regarded as a liberal science. Geology requires the application of the principles of geology, chemistry, physics, biology, computational sciences, and the social sciences. Geologists can become both specialists and naturalists.
Geologists explore and answer fundamental questions such as:
- Why are mountains and ocean basins?
- Why are there earthquakes and volcanoes, and can we predict them?
- Why does Earth have an oxygen-rich atmosphere why is there life on Earth, and how has it evolved over geologic time?
- How did the water and salts get in the ocean?
- How and why has climate changed over geologic time, and how is it likely to change in the future?
- How do mineral and energy resources form, why are they located in particular parts of the planet, and how much do we have?
- What causes the major extinctions of life forms?
- What is the geology of the planets?
- How do humans impact the Earth?
Geology is a highly applied discipline. Geology is concerned with:
- Understanding and predicting natural disasters, and associated land use planning
- Discovery of minerals, gems and energy resources
- Preservation of natural resources and environmental stewardship
- Human interaction with the land, with all of its environmental, sociological, economic and political ramifications
Geology is international.
- Geologists work globally. Geologic processes, materials, hazards, and resources span political boundaries.
