B Seismographs are used to measure earthquakes and pinpoint their origins. Figure 5. These folded rock layers have bent over time. Studying rock layers helps scientists to explain these layers and the geologic history of the area. Volcanologists brave molten lava to study volcanoes. Scientists who compare the geology of other planets to Earth are planetary geologists. Some geologists study the Moon. Others look for petroleum. Still others specialize in studying soil.
Some geologists can tell how old rocks are and determine how different rock layers formed Figure 5. There is probably an expert in almost anything you can think of related to Earth! Geologists might study rivers and lakes, the underground water found between soil and rock particles, or even water that is frozen in glaciers.
Studying the layers of rock beneath the surface helps us to understand the history of planet Earth. Since all of the branches are connected, specialists work together to answer complicated questions. Geochemistry is the study of the chemical processes which form and shape the Earth. It is a subfield of inorganic chemistry, which is concerned with the properties of all the elements in the periodic table and their compounds.
Oceanography is the study of the composition and motion of the water column and the processes which are responsible for that motion. The principal oceanographic processes influencing continental shelf waters include waves and tides as well as wind-driven and other oceanic currents.
Understanding the oceanography of shelf waters and the influence this has on seabed dynamics, contributes to a wide range of activities such as the following:. Paleontologists are interested in fossils and how ancient organisms lived. Paleontology is the study of fossils and what they reveal about the history of our planet. In marine environments, microfossils collected within in layers of sediment cores provide a rich source of information about the environmental history of an area.
Sedimentology is the study of sediment grains in marine and other deposits, with a focus on physical properties and the processes which form a deposit. Deposition is a geological process where geological material is added to a landform. Key physical properties of interest include:.
Most geologist jobs involve a combination of fieldwork, laboratory and office work, and career growth perspectives often involve some management responsibilities. If you decide to change career path, the skills that you learn in your degree will still be useful. For instance, communication skills, project management, quantitative reasoning and digital skills will allow you to move into many other areas such as research, civil engineering, laboratory work, finance, government consultancies and journalism.
Charles Darwin, the English naturalist, is perhaps one of the most famous examples of people who studied geology. Other well-known figures who studied geology include Marie Tharp, the American geologist and oceanographic cartographer, who created the first scientific map of the ocean floor with fellow geologists Bruce Heezen and Vladimir Abazarov.
Other holders of geology degrees include Argentine palaeontologist Jose Bonaparte, who discovered dinosaurs in South America; Mary Buckland, the English marine biologist, scientific illustrator and palaeontologist; M. Read more: Best universities for physics, chemistry and maths degrees. What is geology? Join the THE Student community and unlock free benefits. You may also like. What can you do with an architecture degree? An essential guide if you are considering studying architecture at college.
October 2 What can you do with a mathematics degree? Why should you study maths at college, what jobs can you get, and how hard is it to get a place? November 20 What can you do with an accounting degree? Why study accounting? Economic geologists continue to successfully expand and define known mineral resources. They are called upon to study sediment deposits in oceans, rock folds, and faults. They also make the decision of where to drill by locating prospects within a sedimentary basin.
This can be very labour-intensive work that involves special equipment to look at sedimentary and structural aspects in order to locate possible oil traps. Data may be obtained via geophysical surveys and from the mudlogger, who analyzes the drill cuttings and the rock formation thicknesses. Volcanos, earthquakes, and tsunamis also fall within the interests of geomorphologists.
As rock and sediment is worn away and moved to other areas erosion or deposition by certain processes, landforms are produced. Often particles and organic material, such as diatoms and macrofossils, that are preserved in sediments and peat can give hints on past climate changes and processes.
Geomorphologists can specialize in aeolian desert geomorphology, glacial and periglacial geomorphology, volcanic and tectonic geomorphology, and planetary geomorphology. Geophysicist A geophysicist studies the Earth by using gravity and magnetic, electrical, and seismic methods.
Research geophysicists study the earth's internal structure, earthquakes, the ocean and other physical features using these methods. Some geophysicists study the earth's properties for environmental hazards and assess areas for construction sites.
Investigating the inner workings of the earth, geophysicists focus upon the physical and fluid properties of materials making up the earth, seeking a greater understanding of continental formation and processes that happen because of it earthquakes, etc. Geophysicists also focus on finding oil, iron, copper, and many other deposits of minerals created by the earth's movement and compression of materials.
Geohydrologist Geohydrologists study the properties and distribution of natural underground water reservoirs, their capacity to store water, and the movement of water through the reservoirs.
More importantly, geohydrologists investigate the cycles of drawing out water from the reservoirs for human consumption, as well as the replenishment by precipitation. Paleontologist Making deductions about ancestral climates and environmental conditions through fossil records is the job of a paleontologist , a type of geologist. We can understand so much more about the past earth thanks to these researchers who analyze deposited layers of rock and soil for clues about pre-historic times.
A paleontologist works with evolutionary biology, determining the factors that made species go extinct and those that brought about the origin of species as well. Mapping and Fieldwork Field mapping - to produce a geological map by examining rock types, geological structures, and how they relate to one another.
Geotechnical mapping - to evaluate the properties and stability of rock areas to determine suitability for any kind of construction or modification, such a building a tunnel. Logging Rock core logging — also known as rock chip logging, for mining and exploration companies Mud logging — for oil and gas exploration Geotechnical logging — to assess the strength or weakness of rocks; to identify fractures.
Laboratory Work Lab work is essential in the field of geology. In fact, some geoscientists work exclusively for large commercial laboratories that conduct data analysis for mining, oil and gas, engineering, and environmental companies. Microscopic analysis — to examine the fine details of rocks and fossils Geochemical analysis — to reveal details about samples, such as metal content or quality of oil Geomechanical analysis — to test and reveal the strength of rocks.
Computer-Based Work Geographical Information Systems GIS - essentially allow geologists to conduct field mapping on their computers by producing a digital database of acquired field data.
Modelling programs - have become increasingly important tools for geologists, both in the research sector and in the commercial sector. Geologists produce modelling programs for: modelling geological processes, often for research; producing a 3D model of an oil field, a mineral deposit, or an aquifer an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock ; modelling the subsurface geology that is to be modified by an engineering project.
Report Writing Geology reports can range from brief daily site updates to large documents of several hundred pages concerning economic assessments and environmental impacts of potential exploration projects. Geologists have distinct personalities.
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