Geology: what it is, what it studies and what terms

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Geology is a natural science that studies the origin, composition, structure and evolution of planet Earth. The different areas of study that make up this important area of knowledge range from the formation and composition of the minerals that make up the rocks to the internal dynamics and external factors that conditioned transformations on planet Earth, from its formation to its current stage, further investigating the different forms of life that lived here over time geological.

Read too: Archeology — the scientific field that studies the past through ancient records and evidence

Topics of this article

1 - Summary on Geology
2 - What is Geology?
3 - What does Geology study?
4 - What are the study areas of Geology?
5 - Important Geological Terms
6 - Why is Geology important?
7 - Faculty of Geology

Abstract on Geology

Geology is a natural science dedicated to the study of the surface and internal structure of Earth. Earth, covering the materials that make it up and the different evolutionary processes and dynamics of our planet.

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It is divided into different areas of study dedicated to specific topics, such as Geophysics, Geochemistry, Environmental Geology, Hydrogeology, Mineralogy and others.
Geology faculties train graduates in this area of knowledge, called geologists.
In Brazil, there are 32 courses in Geology and Geological Engineering, offered both by public, federal and state, and private institutions.
The geologist can work in several areas, ranging from mining and petrochemistry to academic research. State bodies and companies and many regulatory agencies also absorb these professionals.
The Geology professional must be registered with the Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy (Crea).

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What is Geology?

Geology is a science of nature dedicated to the study and understanding of surface and internal structure from planet earth, covering the composition and all the dynamics and processes that condition its formation and transformation over geological time. The very word “geology” expresses the object of study of this important area of knowledge. The term is derived from the Greek and means "study of the Earth" (geo = Earth; logos = science, study).

What does geology study?

The main object of study of Geology is the structure of planet earth, which makes it a very comprehensive science. This area of knowledge ranges from the mineralogical composition of the rocks that make up the Earth's lithosphere to the evolutionary processes that conditioned the current configuration of our planet.

It is possible to say that Geology studies the History of Earth's formation and evolution through the surface rock structures, called geological structures, and the different types of biological records that are found in these formations and that help to demarcate the passage of geological time and to understand the past climatic conditions (paleoclimate) that acted as exogenous factors in its constitution. These biological records are known as fossils.

YouLaw Suit endogenous and exogenous factors that condition the transformation of planet Earth they are also objects of geological study. Examples of these processes include:

earthquakes and the movements of tectonic plates, as well as its consequences on the surface, such as faults and fractures in the rocks;
volcanic activity;
landslides.

You factors that condition the formation ofmineral deposits, oil reserves and the practical and economic viability ofand such resources are present in Geology studies.

To the properties of materials from which rocks, the soils and other terrestrial structures are composed, such as minerals, crystals and their respective chemical elements, are also objects of geological study. It is also important to highlight that this area of knowledge addresses questions relatedThes to the ocean substrate It is to groundwater, which demonstrates the breadth of geological science.

What are the study areas of Geology?

Tools used by professionals in the field of Geology on a map laid out on a table. — Geology is subdivided into several areas of study, which range from the surface relief to the phenomena of the Earth's interior.

Geology is divided into several areas of study that comprise specific themes and approaches, being both disciplines in higher education and in areas of professional specialization. See the main ones:

Geophysics: study of the physical properties of planet Earth and the respective materials and elements that constitute it. Among these properties are the radioactivity, magnetism, internal heat and propagation of waves, for example.
Geochemistry: study of the chemical composition of the different materials that make up the Earth, which is done by collecting material in the field and laboratory analysis.
Geomorphology: study of the forms of the terrestrial surface and of the processes and modeling agents of the relief.
Geotechnical: associated with engineering and civil construction work by applying the knowledge of other fields in Geology for the analysis of the feasibility of land for the execution of works and projects. It is also called Engineering Geology.
Environmental Geology: is concerned with solving environmental problems arising from anthropic action.
- Urban Geology: It is one of the branches of Environmental Geology. It is focused on the application of knowledge from other areas of Geology in the solution of problems arising from the growth of cities.
Economic Geology: study of mineral deposits — encompassing their composition, formation and evolution —, the legislation associated with their exploitation as a mineral resource and their economic potential.
Structural Geology: study of the structure of rocks and identification of problems or distortions such as folds and faults.
Marine Geology: study of the ocean floor and the geological structures present at the bottom of the oceans, as well as changes in sea level.
Hydrogeology: study of groundwater, which ranges from analyzing the existence of reserves and aquifers to the evaluation of the quality of these waters, feasibility of use and construction of structures for their extraction.
Mineralogy: study of the chemical and physical properties of minerals.
Paleontology: study of fossils and prehistoric animals and plants.
Petrology: study of rocks in their origin, formation, structure, physical and chemical properties and development.
Sedimentology: study of the formation and structure of sedimentary deposits.
Seismology: study of seismic waves (origin, how they propagate) and the movements of tectonic plates.

See too: Urban geography — the area of human geography that analyzes cities and urban space

Important Geology Terms

Geology, like other areas of knowledge, works with different concepts. Many of them appear more frequently in texts and teaching materials, so it is important to understand them.

Rock: solid material formed by a set of consolidated minerals.
Mineral: homogeneous, solid structure, composed of one or more chemical elements. They arise through inorganic processes that occur in nature.
Ground: layer of unconsolidated material that covers the lithosphere.
lithosphere: outermost layer of planet Earth, also called the crust. Composed of rocks and minerals.
Fossil: remains of past forms of life, animal or plant, which were preserved in rocky material.
geological time: time scale used in Geology to analyze the history and evolutionary process of our planet. It begins with the formation of the Earth, 4.6 billion years ago.
geological era: a subdivision of the geological time scale.
Sedimentary deposit: recessed areas where sediments from physical weathering processes are deposited in the final stage of erosion.
Mineral deposit: natural deposits of minerals that may hold economic value.
Structure geological: rocky structures of the lithosphere upon which the surface relief is carved, these being the crystalline shields, the sedimentary basins and the modern folding.
Strand: slope of a hill, mountain or mountain.
Ocean floor: part of the lithosphere that forms the rocky bottom of the seas and oceans.
Tectonic plate: large rocky blocks into which the lithosphere is divided.
Earthquake: earthquake, earthquake.
geological fault: ruptures or fissions that occur in blocks of rocks.
Folding: deformations in rocks caused by the action of endogenous forces.
Metamorphism: process of transformation of rocks that affects their physical structure under specific conditions of pressure It is temperature.
weathering: physical breakdown and/or chemical or biological decomposition of rocks.

Why is Geology important?

Geology is important because through from it we can know our planet in detail. It is through the studies of the different areas of this science that we become aware of how the evolution of the Earth happened until the current stage, taking note of the past phenomena that influenced its configuration and also of the different forms of life that lived on the planet over geological time.

the geological science also allows us to know the chemical and physical composition of the Earth's surface, information that has great practical and economic value when we think about the analysis of mineral deposits and oil reserves and also in the evaluation of areas destined for projects of infrastructure. The importance of Geology is also allied to the need to preserve the environment and recovery of devastated areas through the analysis and understanding of the phenomena responsible for their degradation.

Faculty of Geology

Geologist, the professional in the area of Geology, analyzing the rocks of a certain place. — The faculties of Geology form qualified professionals to work in the field and academically.

the faculty of geology is responsible for training and qualifying graduates in this area of knowledge, who receive the title of geologists.

According to the Brazilian Society of Geology (SBGEO), There are currently 32 training courses in Geology and Geological Engineering in Brazil between public (federal and state) and private universities.

These courses are offered at 18 Brazilian states of all regions of the country, with emphasis on the high concentration in Minas Gerais and not Rio Grande do Sul.

Between the universities with older courses of Geology of Brazil, offered since 1957, are:

Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE);
Federal University of Ouro Preto (Ufop);
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ);
University of São Paulo (USP);
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).

→ What is the role of the geologist?

There is a great diversity of fields of activity in which the geologist can be inserted, both in the private sector, in companies and teaching institutions, as well as in state bodies, regulatory agencies, companies and teaching units administered by power public.

Look some of the areas in which the geologist can act:

oil companies and mining;
companies and organizations linked to the environmental area;
hydroelectric plants and companies or agencies that manage water resources;
civil engineering, in teams carrying out works and infrastructure projects;
public bodies, companies and regulatory agencies linked to the Brazilian State, such as the Service Geológico do Brasil (CPRM), National Petroleum Agency (ANP), National Water Agency (ANA) and others;
in academia, both in research and in the classroom.

To act, however, it is necessary to know that the geologist it needs be registered with the Regional Council of Architecture and Agronomy (Crea), thus being able to exercise their profession, issue technical opinions, prepare feasibility studies and environmental impacts, among other attributions.

By Paloma Guitarrara
Geography Teacher

Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:

GUITARRA, Paloma. "Geology"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/geologia.htm. Accessed on July 2, 2023.