Geology is the study of the Earth -- both the surface and the inside. It
looks at how the Earth was formed, how it has changed since its formation,
what the Earth is made of and how these pieces fit together.
Geologists use all of this research and knowledge to find useful minerals,
oil, groundwater and other natural resources, and to locate stable places
for human structures, like bridges, highways or buildings.
These Earth scientists also use their knowledge to help us better understand
natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or avalanches. "Basically,
[geologists] are trying to create a better understanding of this planet we
all live on," says geologist Duncan Menzies.
While the general goal of geologists is the same, much of the similarity
ends there. Geologists are an incredibly diverse crew of scientists. Here
are a few of the different types of geologists:
- Geophysicists combine physics with geology to study the inside
of the Earth's structure. From here, they learn about the physical make-up
of the Earth, the way the Earth cools itself, the force of gravity and the
causes of things like earthquakes.
- Geochemists study the chemistry of the Earth and the creation of
the Earth's elements and minerals.
- Geochronologists help us determine the history of our Earth by
looking at the age of rock formations.
- Petrologists examine the origin, placement, structure and changes
of -- and in -- specific types of rocks.
- Mineralogists study the creation and make-up of minerals and come
up with theories on -- and categories for -- the different types of minerals.
- Structural geologists research how sediments deform and rocks change
over a period of time.
- Sedimentary geologists study sedimentary deposits (things carried
by wind or water and deposited on land), the way they are made and what they
produce.
- Petroleum geologists borrow information from structural and sedimentary
geology to help find oil or natural gas deposits in the Earth.
- Paleontologists study fossils (the remains of plants or animals
from the distant past) that are found within sediment, and compare these fossils
to existing plants and animals.
- Geomorphologists attempt to explain the structure and development
of the Earth by looking at things like erosion or glaciation (ice).
- Economic geologists, like petroleum geologists, use information
from other geological disciplines to find new sources of minerals, water and
fuels.
- Environmental geologists use geological principles to find better
ways for humans and nature to work together. They do this by studying how
things like soil, rock or groundwater can cause problems in the building of
human structures -- and how human projects, consumption and waste can cause
problems with the environment.
Obviously, geology is a varied field. Experts say this variation is partly
caused by the fact that geology is a combination of many disciplines. Geologists
from any of these categories have to wear a lot of hats.
"Geology is really a multidisciplinary field. Biology, chemistry, physics,
math -- all of them are in there," says geologist Nancy Whitting.
Employment settings for geologists are almost as varied as the field itself.
People in this field may be employed at universities or colleges, oil or mineral
companies, government agencies, engineering firms and museums. A growing number
of geologists are also consulting for environmental agencies and government
commissions.
This is a good career for people who like the outdoors, because fieldwork
can be an important part of a geologist's job.
"Since we're studying the Earth, geologists can spend anywhere from six
weeks to six months a year doing fieldwork. This is where we get much of the
physical data that propels our research," says Whitting.
The amount of time a geologist spends in the field and the conditions in
the field -- which vary from staying at a comfortable government research
station to roughing it in isolated areas -- depend on what the geologist is
studying and whom they work for.
"My earlier research took me from the Antarctic to the Yukon, and I was
out in the field for three months at a stretch," says geologist Ellen Hanson.
"Now, [with my new research] I spend most of my time in front of the computer
in my office."