Being a geologist is a profession full of adventures and it has a great advantage, which is that it is not a well-known career and therefore when you specialize in any of the branches of geology or in general geology, you will have ample opportunities for employment and professional growth.
I can also mention from my own experience that studying geology is incredible because you will learn very interesting topics, so being a geologist is not boring at all, on the contrary, you are full of emotions when you apply the degree.
A geologist is basically going to study all the features, properties and processes that occur on the planet earth and even in the universe.
Its objective is to make the study of the planet have a practical application in the study of natural risks, in the extraction of natural resources such as minerals, hydrocarbons (oil and gas), extraction of groundwater, soil and rock studies for construction works. civil engineering, the study of volcanoes and a lot of other activities.
In addition, you will be able to learn about the history of the earth by studying marine and terrestrial fossils.
Believe me, while you study this profession you will have the opportunity to do a lot of interesting activities that we are going to describe below.
What are you going to study in your student stage if you decide to be a geologist or geologist?
Geology is a science, and it is full of branches and extensive topics, so the curriculum will depend on the university in which you study this career, since it is focused, for example, there are universities that want to take out geologists focused on mining, others focused on civil and geotechnical engineering, other geologists focused on petroleum, and even pure geologists who become earth scientists.
Despite this, there are general themes that will be repeated in this profession, for example:
Minerals, gemstones and rocks
It is the study of minerals, precious stones and rocks, their origin, formation, how to identify them and their applications in daily and industrial life.
Geological Engineering
A broad discipline encompassing building and dam construction, slope stability, mine and quarry design, tunnels, highways, railways, coastal defenses, and many other aspects of the built environment. Geotechnical geologists participate in this branch.
environmental geology
The application of geological principles to mediate or resolve environmental land and water problems in which people, animals, and plants live, resulting from human activities or natural processes.
Geochemistry
Explore the chemical composition of rocks and fluids and the chemical processes that operate within the Earth and on its surface.
geochronology
The study to determine the age of rocks, fossils, and sediments. Absolute geochronology uses radioactive isotope systems, while relative geochronology uses paleomagnetism and stable isotope systems.
Geomorphology / Surface Processes
The scientific study of the origin and evolution of features formed by chemical and physical processes on or near the Earth’s surface.
Geophysics
The study of the physics of the Earth, such as its internal structure, earthquakes, gravity, and geomagnetism. It can be deep (helping to understand the Earth’s core) or shallow, which helps to survey archaeological sites. Geophysics It is used to search for oil and mineral deposits. Here geophysical geologists intervene.
hydrogeology
The branch of geology deals with groundwater and surface water, its movement, behavior and quality.
Rocks and rock types
It is the study of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, their origin and applications.
Rocks have great importance and applications in our life, learn about rocks by clicking here.
Natural hazards and risks
The characteristics and effects of phenomena such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, volcanoes, etc. and the importance of prognosis, resistance and damage minimization.
Natural resources
The main sources of energy are oil, coal, and natural gas, but uranium and alternative sources like geothermal energy are also areas of employment for geologists. Mining and extraction are used to extract metals and minerals with applications from agriculture to high-tech industry.
Oceanography
It includes ocean chemistry, ocean floor geology, meteorological oceanography, and the study of climate change, as well as ocean waves and currents. This is where marine geologists come in.
paleontology and fossils
The study of fossils, from dinosaurs to microorganisms. How organisms are preserved in the rock record and their importance as indicators of past environmental change. Here paleontologist geologists participate.
planetary science
The study of the geology of other celestial bodies (such as planets and asteroids) in our solar system and beyond.
Remote sensing
The use of airborne sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth using images from satellites or aircraft. This is useful in many fields, from resource exploration to geological mapping of Earth or other planets or geohazard monitoring..
sedimentology
The study of sediments, how they accumulate, how they become sedimentary rocks, the information they provide about past environments, and their importance for energy and other resources.
Seismology
The study of seismic waves passing through the Earth from earthquakes, explosions, or controlled sources, which can be used to predict earthquake hazards, map planetary interiors, or explore for resources. Here geologists are known as seismologists.
Stratigraphy
The study of the order, nature, and rates of change of geologic events and processes. This is related to the geological mapping of rocks exposed on the Earth’s surface. Stratigraphy helps determine the ages and field relationships of rocks. rocks to build geological maps and databases.
structural geology
Concerned with the movement and deformation of rocks by folding and faulting, including the study of plate tectonics. How rocks respond to stresses, both natural and man-made. Structural geologists participate in this area.
Unconventional and future energies
This sector includes geothermal power, wind power, and tidal power. Sustainable energy sources are a growing area.
Volcanology and volcanoes
The study of volcanoes, their location, formation and prediction, types of eruptions and the type of rocks produced, plus the associated hazards / social impact.
Volcanoes are very interesting, if you want to know more about the it I recommend you to check the Different Types of Volcanoes: A Quick Guide
Here some of the subjects that you will surely receive have been named, however, there may be many more.
What does a geologist do?
Geologists not only tackle academic questions like the formation and composition of our planet, the causes of earthquakes and ice ages, and the evolution of life, but they also tackle practical problems like how to keep pollution out of water. underground, how to find oil and minerals, and how to avoid landslides.
And in recent years, geologists have made important contributions to the study of global climate change. When the news starts with “Scientists Say… And then they continue with “an earthquake happened today in Japan”, or “landslides will threaten the city”, or “chemicals from the proposed toxic waste dump will ruin the city’s water supply”, or “just a limited supply of oil remains,” the scientists referred to are geologists.
As you may have already noticed, studying geology is a very interesting challenge because it is a profession with a lot of branches where you can specialize and each one has its different special activities, however, there are certain activities that a geologist always does and we will tell you about them. to describe.
Geological mapping and field work
The main activity of the geologist is field work, which means that you will have to walk a lot and go through a lot of landscapes and geological environments, because you have to investigate and study the rocks and minerals that are only exposed out there.
Carrying out geological mapping requires the geologist to walk around and explore the environment by looking at outcrops.
After that, he will draw his own conclusions depending on what the mapping is being done for.
For example, if the mapping is to find a mineral deposit, it will focus on studying minerals of interest.
If the mapping is focused on the construction of some civil work such as a bridge, building or road, it will be focused on determining the quality of the rocks and soils.
The final product will be a specific geological map for the project to be carried out, in fact, that is the most important product that the geologist makes.
Collection of samples of rocks, fluvial sediments, soils and water.
Here the geologist with his criteria will take representative samples that will be analyzed in specialized laboratories, the samples will also have different objectives, for example, there are some that will be to analyze minerals of interest
Other samples will be to define the capacity and quality of the rocks to be able to build some civil works.
And a host of other applications.
The geologist will have to go to the jungle, to rivers, to the sea, to oil drilling platforms, to the city, etc.
Geological logging and drilling witnesses
Here the geologist will analyze samples of rocks and minerals that are obtained from the interior of the crust hundreds of meters below the earth’s surface.
It may be with the objective of finding and defining some type of mineral deposit.
Or they may be drill samples obtained in an oil field to find more oil.
Geotechnical records used to generate geotechnical profiles
Even samples to define the groundwater potential.
Laboratory work
Many geologists do laboratory work in their careers.
Much of what is known about the geology of the world and other planets has been discovered in laboratories.
Some of the activities are: microscope work, chemical analysis and geomechanical tests.
Work based on computer systems
All geologists will do much of their work on the computer, often using specialized software, mostly in offices, but computer work in the field is becoming more common.
Some of the activities are: Geographic information systems, database management and geological modeling.
Written reports
Geologists are capable of summarizing all the information collected in the field and laboratory, so that it is understandable to all people.
What does an exploration geologist do?
In recent decades, the demand for exploration geologists by mining companies that are in search of minerals and metals of economic, social and technological interest such as copper, gold, silver, platinum and many more, has become popular. because technology needs minerals and mining to continue its incredible and furious advance.
For this reason, becoming an exploration geologist will provide you with many opportunities in the future.
The exploration geologist is one who is going to “explore” or search for different mineral resources that may be housed in the rocks of the earth’s crust. So they are generally in the area of mining and exploration of minerals of interest, that is to say that you are going to be specialized in looking for cheap minerals such as chalcopyrite that is associated with the extraction of copper, or finding valuable elements such as gold and silver.
However, they can also be associated with the search for important hydrocarbons such as oil and natural gas, so you could work in an oil company.
Finally, an exploration geologist can also search for other natural resources such as groundwater, find geothermal deposits, or alternative energies such as radioactive.
What are the tools used by a geologist?
Geologists currently interact with a lot of technological tools and software that facilitate their work, however, the use of some tools that make a geologist look like one at first glance has always been typical.