Geologist inspecting a freshly recovered drill-core.

"Picturesque camp made by a lone geologist on the cinders of Inferno," 1921

A geologist is a contributor to the science of geology, studying the physical structure and processes of the Earth and planets of the solar system (see planetary geology). Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning " Knowledge " or "knowing" is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding Geology (from Greek γη gê, "earth" and λόγος Logos, "speech" lit EARTH was a short-lived Japanese vocal trio which released 6 singles and 1 album between 2000 and 2001 Planetary geology, alternatively known as astrogeology or exogeology, is a Planetary science discipline concerned with the Geology of the

Training / Schooling

Their undergraduate training typically includes significant coursework in physics, mathematics, chemistry and possibly biology, in addition to classes offered through the geology department; historical and physical geology, igneous and metamorphic petrology and petrography, hydrogeology, sedimentology, mineralogy, palaeontology, physical geography and structural geology are among the many required areas of study. Physics (Greek Physis - φύσις in everyday terms is the Science of Matter and its motion. Mathematics is the body of Knowledge and Academic discipline that studies such concepts as Quantity, Structure, Space and Foundations of modern biology There are five unifying principles Hydrogeology ( hydro- meaning water and -geology meaning the study of the Earth) is the area of Geology that deals with the distribution and Mineralogy is an Earth Science focused around the Chemistry, Crystal structure, and physical (including optical) properties of Minerals Physical geography (also known as geosystems or physiography) is one of the three major subfields of Geography. Most geologists also need skills in GIS and other mapping techniques. Geology students may spend portion of summers living and working under field conditions with faculty members. Geology courses are also highly valuable to students of geography, engineering, chemistry, urban planning, environmental studies, and other fields. Geography (from Greek γεωγραφία - geografia) is the study of the Earth and its lands features inhabitants and phenomena Engineering is the Discipline and Profession of applying technical and scientific Knowledge and Environmental studies is the systematic study of human interaction with their environment

Areas of specialization

Geologists may concentrate their studies or research in one or more of the following disciplines:

• Economic geology: the study of ore genesis, and the mechanisms of ore creation, geostatistics. Economic geology is concerned with earth materials that can be utilized for economic and/or industrial purposes The various theories of ore genesis explain how the various types of mineral deposits form within the Earth's crust. Geostatistics evolved in Mineral exploration and mining of Minerals Ores and Coals It is currently applied in disciplines such as Petroleum
• Engineering geology: application of the geologic sciences to engineering practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and adequately provided for;
• Geophysics: the applied branch deals with the application of physical methods such as gravity, seismicity, electricity, magnetic properties to study the earth. Engineering Geology is the application of the geologic sciences to engineering practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the location design construction Geophysics, a major discipline of Earth sciences, is the study of the Earth by quantitative physical methods especially by seismic, electromagnetic
• Geochemistry: the applied branch deals with the study of the chemical makeup and behaviour of rocks, and the study of the behaviour of their minerals. The field of geochemistry involves study of the chemical composition of the Earth and other Planets chemical processes and reactions that govern the composition
• Geochronology: the study of isotope geology specifically toward determining the date within the past of rock formation, metamorphism, mineralization and geological events (notably, meteorite impacts). In the Natural sciences under the umbrella of Natural history, Geochronology is the Science of determining the absolute age of rocks, Fossils Metamorphism can be defined as the solid state recrystallisation of pre-existing rocks due to changes in heat and/or pressure and/or introduction of fluids i See also Impact crater An impact event is the Collision of a large Meteoroid, Asteroid or Comet (generically
• Geomorphology: the study of landforms and the processes that create them
• Hydrogeology: the study of the origin, occurrence and movement of groundwater water in a subsurface geological system. Geomorphology (from Greek: γη ge, "earth" μορφή morfé, "form" and λόγος Logos, "knowledge" Hydrogeology ( hydro- meaning water and -geology meaning the study of the Earth) is the area of Geology that deals with the distribution and
• Igneous petrology: the study of igneous processes such as igneous differentiation, fractional crystallization, intrusive and volcanological phenomena . In Geology, petrology (from Greek πέτρα petra, rock and λόγος logos, knowledge is the study of rocks and the conditions on which Igneous differentiation is an umbrella term for the various processes by which Magmas undergo bulk chemical change during the Partial melting process cooling Fractional crystallization is one of the most important geochemical and physical processes operating within the Earth's crust and mantle.
• Isotope geology: the study of the isotopic composition of rocks to determine the processes of rock and planetary formation. Isotope geochemistry is an aspect of Geology based upon study of the relative and absolute concentrations of the elements and their Isotopes in the
• Metamorphic petrology: the study of the effects of metamorphism on minerals and rocks. Metamorphic rock is the result of the transformation of an existing rock type the protolith, in a process called Metamorphism, which means "change
• Marine geology: the study of the seafloor; involves geophysical, geochemical, sedimentological and paleontological investigations of the ocean floor and coastal margins. Marine geology involves Geophysical, geochemical, sedimentological and Paleontological investigations of the Ocean floor and coastal Marine geology has strong ties to physical oceanography and plate tectonics.
• Palaeoclimatology: the application of geological science to determine the climatic conditions present in the Earth's atmosphere within the Earth's history. Paleoclimatology (also Palaeoclimatology) is the study of Climate change taken on the scale of the entire History of Earth.
• Palaeontology: the classification and taxonomy of fossils within the geological record and the construction of a palaeontological history of the Earth. Palaeontology redirects here For the Scientific journal, see Palaeontology (journal.
• Pedology: the study of soil, soil formation, and regolith formation. Regolith ( Greek: "blanket rock" is a layer of loose Heterogeneous material covering solid rock.
• Petroleum geology: the study of sedimentary basins applied to the search for hydrocarbons (oil exploration). Petroleum geology refers to the specific set of geological disciplines that are applied to the search for Hydrocarbons ( Oil exploration) The term sedimentary basin is used to refer to any geographical feature exhibiting Subsidence and consequent infilling by sedimentation In Organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an Organic compound consisting entirely of Hydrogen and Carbon. Hydrocarbon exploration (or oil and gas exploration) is the search by petroleum Geologists for Hydrocarbon deposits beneath the Earth's surface
• Sedimentology: the study of sedimentary rocks, strata, formations, eustasy and the processes of modern day sedimentary and erosive systems. Sedimentology encompasses the study of modern Sediments such as sand, mud (silt and clay and understanding the processes that deposit them Sedimentary rock is one of the three main rock types (the others being igneous and Metamorphic rock) In Geology and related fields a stratum (plural strata) is a layer of rock or Soil with internally consistent characteristics that distinguishes Mean sea level (MSL is the average (mean height of the Sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface
• Structural geology: the study of folds, faults, foliation and rock microstructure to determine the deformational history of rocks and regions. Structural geology is the study of the three dimensional distribution of rock bodies and their planar or folded surfaces and their internal fabrics See also Folding The term fold is used in Geology when one or a stack of originally flat and planar surfaces such as Sedimentary In Geology a fault, or fault line, is a planar rock fracture which shows evidence of relative movement Foliation is any penetrative planar fabric present in rocks. Foliation is common to rocks affected by regional metamorphic compression typical of orogenic Rock microstructure includes the texture of a rock and the small scale rock structures
• Volcanology: the study of volcanoes, their eruptions, lavas, magma processes and hazards. Volcanology (also spelled vulcanology) is the study of Volcanoes, Lava, Magma, and related geological and Geophysical phenomena Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the Lava is molten rock expelled by a Volcano during an eruption When first expelled from a volcanic vent it is a Liquid at Temperatures Magma (Plurals magmas and magmata) is molten rock that sometimes forms beneath the surface of the Earth (or any other Terrestrial planet

Employment opportunities

Professional geologists work for a wide range of government agencies, private firms, and non-profit and academic institutions. Local, state, and national governments hire geologists to help plan and evaluate excavations, construction sites, environmental remediation projects, and natural disaster preparedness, as well as to investigate natural resources. An engineering geologist (a geologist trained, experienced and certified in the field of engineering geology) is called upon to investigate geologic hazards and geologic constraints for the planning, design and construction of public and private engineering projects, forensic and post-mortem studies, and environmental impact analysis. An engineering geologist is a Geologist trained in the discipline of Engineering geology. Engineering Geology is the application of the geologic sciences to engineering practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the location design construction A geologic hazard is one of several types of adverse geologic conditions capable of causing damage or loss of property and life An ( EIA) is an assessment of the possible impact&ndashpositive or negative&ndashthat a proposed project may have on the Natural environment. Exploration geologists utilize all aspects of geology and geophysics to locate and study natural resources. In many countries or US states without specialized environmental remediation licensure programs, such as Rhode Island and North Carolina, the environmental remediation field is often dominated by professional geologists, particularly hydrogeologists, with professional concentrations in this aspect of the field. Petroleum and mining companies use mudloggers (or wellsite geologists) and large-scale land developers use geologists' and engineering geologists' skills to help them locate oil and minerals, adapt to local features such as karst deposits or the risk of earthquakes, and comply with environmental regulations. Petroleum ( L petroleum, from Greek πετρέλαιον, lit Mining is the extraction of valuable Minerals or other geological materials from the earth usually (but not always from an Ore body Karst topography is a landscape shaped by the dissolution of a layer or layers of soluble Bedrock, usually Carbonate rock such as Limestone An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth 's crust that creates Seismic waves Earthquakes are recorded with a Seismometer Geologists in academia usually hold an advanced degree in a specialized area within the discipline.

See also

• List of geologists