| Why Study Geology? |
The contemporary relevance of geology is continually reinforced
by the frequent news reports about natural disasters, pollution
of the environment, erosion of arable land, and diminishing supplies
of low-cost fuel and raw materials for industry--problems requiring
analysis of geological processes as part of their resolution. A
more traditional and equally important objective of geology is deciphering
the earth's physical and evolutionary history by investigating and
interpreting rock and fossil records. Knowledge of earth materials
and processes gained from this historical approach also provides
geologists with a means of better understanding and solving contemporary
problems. The web links below offer additional information on careers
and opportunities in the geological sciences. |
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For students with an interdisciplinary interest in the sciences, geology offers an opportunity to integrate knowledge from another science (chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics) and to solve some important problems facing our technological society. In fact, solutions to many geologic problems generally require information from fields outside geology and often times outside the natural sciences. Consequently, interests outside science combine well with a minor or general major in geology. The skills developed are useful to politicians, lawyers, planners, and every citizen who must deal with geologic phenomena, e.g., earthquakes, erosion, water pollution, flooding, landslides. For example, better understanding of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes brings hope of predicting more precisely the time and location of future events, thereby minimizing loss of life and property. Increasing need for accurate knowledge about surficial geological processes (such as erosion by rivers and along shorelines) and about problems with the availability and quality of groundwater resources becomes more critical every year. Therefore, numerous employment opportunities, especially in urban and land-use planning, are available. For the well educated non-geologist, general geologic knowledge assists living in better harmony with the land environment. The geology of natural resources will continue to be an active area of study during the decades ahead because of our growing demand for fuels and raw materials. |
