Specializations in Geology
Igneous Petrology
The study of igneous rocks and the processes that form them, focusing on their mineralogy, texture, and chemical composition.
Sedimentary Petrology
The examination of sedimentary rocks, including their formation, classification, and the processes that lead to sediment deposition.
Metamorphic Petrology
The study of metamorphic rocks and the changes they undergo due to heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids.
Mineralogy
The study of minerals, including their structure, properties, classification, and the processes by which they form.
Paleontology
The study of fossilized remains and traces of organisms to understand ancient life and the history of Earth's biological evolution.
Geochemistry
The application of chemistry to study the Earth's composition, processes, and the chemical interactions within and upon the Earth.
Geophysics
The study of the Earth's physical properties and processes through techniques such as seismic, magnetic, and gravitational methods.
Structural Geology
The study of the architecture and arrangement of rocks and the forces that shape geological structures.
Geological Mapping
The creation of detailed geological maps to represent the distribution, nature, and age relationships of geological features.
Stratigraphy
The study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification), with a focus on the processes of sedimentation and time-relationships.
Hydrogeology
The study of groundwater movement and the interactions between water and geological materials.
Geologic Hazard Assessment
The evaluation and analysis of natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions, and their effects on the environment and society.
Geothermics
The study of heat flow within the Earth and the thermal properties of geological materials.
Environmental Geology
The application of geological science to address environmental problems, including waste management, pollution, and land-use planning.
Planetary Geology
The study of the geology of other planetary bodies, including the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies, to understand their composition and history.
Mineral Exploration
The study and search for economic mineral deposits, focusing on methods and technologies used in exploration.
Volcanology
The study of volcanoes, lava, magma, and related geological and geophysical phenomena.
Seismology
The study of earthquakes and the propagation of seismic waves through the Earth.
Geotechnical Engineering
The application of geological and geotechnical principles to the design and construction of foundations, earth structures, and excavation projects.
Quaternary Geology
The study of Earth's geological history during the Quaternary period, focusing on climate change, glaciation, and human impact.
Geostatistics
The application of statistical methods to analyze geological data and model spatial variability.
Geochemical Exploration
The study of geochemical methods for exploring mineral resources and understanding geochemical processes.
Geological Remote Sensing
The use of satellite and aerial imagery to study and analyze geological features and processes.
Coal Geology
The study of coal deposits, including their formation, classification, and extraction techniques.
Petroleum Geology
The exploration and study of oil and gas resources, focusing on reservoir characterization and resource extraction.
Economic Geology
The study of mineral resources and their economic implications, focusing on exploration, extraction, and sustainability.
Siderology
The study of iron ores and the processes associated with their formation and extraction.
Astrogeology
The geological study of celestial bodies with a focus on understanding geologic processes in an extraterrestrial context.
Karst Geology
The study of dissolved rocks and the formation of karst landscapes, including caves and sinkholes.