Geology - an Overview of Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of those materials, and the processes acting upon them. It includes petrology, mineralogy, hydrology etc.

Definition of Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth, the substances of which it is made, the structure of those materials, and also the processes acting upon them. It includes the analysis of organisms that have inhabited the world.

Geological development of an area

The geology of the area changes through the years as rock units are deposited and added, and deformational processes change their shapes and locations. Deposition can happen when sediments settle onto the surface of the planet and later lithify into sedimentary rock, or when as volcanic substance like volcanic lava or ash flows blanket the surface. Igneous intrusions like batholiths, laccoliths, dikes, and sills, push upwards into the overlying rock, and crystallize as they intrude. After the first sequence of stones was deposited, the stone units could be deformed and/or metamorphosed. Deformation typically occurs as a consequence of horizontal shortening, horizontal extension, or side-to-side (strike-slip) motion. These structural regimes broadly relate to convergent boundaries, divergent boundaries, and change boundaries, respectively, involving tectonic plates.

History of Geology

The study of the physical material of this Earth dates back at least to ancient Greece when Theophrastus (372--287 BCE) wrote the job Peri Lithon (About Stones). During the Roman period, Pliny the Elder wrote in detail of the many minerals and metals afterward in practical usage -- even correctly noting the origin of amber.

What Exactly Does a Geologist Do?

Geologists work to understand the history of our planet. The better they could understand Earth's history, the greater they can foresee how events and processes of the past might influence the future.

Geology as a Career

Geology can be a rather interesting and satisfying career. The minimum training required is a four-year college diploma in geology. Pre-college students that are thinking about getting geologists should take a full program of college preparatory classes, particularly those in math, science, and writing. Courses associated with computers, communication and geography are also valuable. Geologists work in many different settings. Most geologists do field work at least portion of the time. Others invest their time in laboratories, offices or classrooms. All geologists prepare reports, do calculations and utilize computers. Although a bachelor's degree is needed for entry-level job, many geologists make master's and/or doctorate degrees. The advanced degrees provide a higher level of training, often at a geology specialty area like paleontology, mineralogy, hydrology, or volcanology. Advanced levels will frequently characterize the geologist for supervisory positions, study missions, or teaching positions at the university level. These are a few of the most sought-after jobs in the field of geology. Most geology graduates with a strong academic background and very good grades have no trouble finding employment if they're eager to proceed to a place where work can be obtained.

If you're a pre-college student, you can prepare to be a geologist by performing well in all your classes. Science classes are particularly significant, but math, writing, and other areas are used by every geologist during each working day. You can learn more about the subject from official Geology forums like Geology Buzz.

If you are thinking about college or graduate school, there are many universities offering courses or programs in geology. Visit the web site of a school that provides a geology degree, get in touch with the geology department, inform them you are interested and make arrangements to visit the campus. Do not be hesitant. Good professors and schools are interested in being contacted by interested students.