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Careers in Geosciences


What is a Geoscientist?

A geoscientist is someone who studies the Earth's physical makeup and history.  Geology is the science that provides the key to finding new sources of useful Earth materials and to understanding Earth processes that affect our lives.

Geoscientists provide basic information to society for solving problems and establishing policy for resource management, environmental protection, public health, safety and welfare.

Geoscientists are curious about the Earth.  How was it formed? How is it changing?  What effects will shrinking glaciers have on the oceans and climate?  How do islands form? What makes a continent move? Why did the dinosaurs become extinct? What makes a mountain?

Geoscientists are concerned about the Earth. Is there a global warming trend? How and where should we dispose industrial wastes? How can we fill society's growing demands for energy and conserve natural resources for future generations?

Geoscientists enjoy the Earth.  It is an outdoor laboratory filled with opportunities to observe Earth processes in action.  By applying knowledge of forces that shape the Earth, Geoscientists seek to reconstruct the past and anticipate the future.

What Do Geoscientists Do?

Geoscientists gather and interpret data about the Earth for the purpose of increasing our understanding and improving the quality of human life.  Geoscientists study and help to mitigate natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, and landslides.  Geologists investigate the materials, processes, products, and history of the Earth.  They often specialize in one of the following areas:
  • Geophysicists- decipher the Earth's interior and magnetic, electric and gravitational fields.
  • Geochemists- investigate the nature and distribution of chemical elements in rocks and minerals.
  • Petroleum Geologists- are involved in exploration and production of oil and natural gas.
  • Economic Geologists- explore for and develop geologic materials that have profitable uses.
  • Hydrologists- investigate the movement and quality of surface water.
  • Hydrogeologists- study the abundance, distribution and quality of ground water.
  • Engineering Geologists- investigate geologic factors that affect engineering structures such as bridges, buildings, airports, and dams.
  • Environmental geologists- work to solve problems with pollution, waste disposal and urban development and hazards such as flooding and erosion.
  • Seismologists- study the location and force of earthquakes and trace the behavior of earthquake waves to interpret the structure of the Earth.
  • Planetary geologists- study the moon and other planets to understand the evolution of the solar system.
  • Geochronologists- determine the age of certain rocks by calculating the rates of decay of certain radioactive elements and thus help reconstruct the geologic history of the Earth.
  • Geomorphologists- study the effects of Earth processes and investigate the nature, origin and development of present landforms and their relationship to underlying structures.
  • Glaciologists- study the physical properties and movement of glaciers and ice sheets.
  • Marine geologists- investigate the oceans and continental shelves.
  • Mineralogists- study the formation, composition and properties of minerals.
  • Paleontologists- study fossils to understand past life forms and their changes through time and to reconstruct past environments.
  • Petrologists- determine the origin and genesis of rocks by analyzing mineral or grain relationships.
  • Sedimentologists- study sedimentary rocks and the processes of sediment formation, transportation and deposition.
  • Stratigraphers- investigate the time and space relationships of layered rocks and their fossil and mineral content.
  • Structural geologists- study deformation, fracturing and folding that has occurred in the Earth's crust.
  • Volcanologists- investigate volcanoes and volcanic phenomena.

Where Do Geoscientists Work?

Geoscientists may be found sampling the deep ocean floor or collecting rock specimens on the moon.  But the work of most geoscientists is more "down to earth."  They work as explorers for new mineral or hydrocarbon resources, consultants on engineering or environmental problems, researchers, teachers, writers, editors, museum curators and in many other challenging positions.  They often divide their time among work in the field, the laboratory, and the office.

Field work usually consists of preparing geologic maps, collecting samples and making measurements that will be analyzed in the laboratory.  For example, rock samples may be x-rayed, studied under a polarizing or electron microscope and analyzed for chemical content.  Geoscientists may also conduct experiments or design computer models to test theories about geologic phenomena.

In the office, they integrate field and laboratory data to write reports that include maps and diagrams that illustrate the results of their studies.  Such maps may pinpoint areas favorable to the occurrence of ores, coal, oil, natural gas or underground water, or indicate subsurface conditions of construction sites.

Generally speaking, geoscientific work includes a mix of indoor and outdoor duties.

Sources:  American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Geological Institute, and the Geological Society of America.


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