What is Geology?
As defined by the dictionary:
ge·ol·o·gy
-
The scientific study of the origin, history, and
structure of the earth.
-
The structure of a specific region of the earth's
crust.
-
The scientific study of the origin, history, and
structure of the solid matter of a celestial body.
Example of Invertebrate Paleontology –
Trilobites in the WMU Rood Hall Geosciences Museum
Types of Geology
There are many different fields of
Geology
Some specific areas include:
Hydrogeology- The branch of geology that deals with
the occurrence, distribution, and effect of ground water.
Geophysics- The physics of the earth and its
environment, including the physics of the fields such as meteorology,
oceanography, and seismology.
Geochemistry- The chemistry of the composition and
alterations of the solid matter of the earth or a celestial body. The
study of the chemical composition of, and of actual or possible chemical changes
in, the crust of the earth.
Oceanography- The exploration and scientific study
of the ocean and its phenomena.
Paleontology- The study of the forms of life
existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of
plants, animals, and other organisms. Specific study can entail vertebrate
paleontology or invertebrate paleontology.
Petrology- The branch of geology that deals with the
origin, composition, structure, and alteration of rocks. Mainly concerned
with the mineralogical and chemical composition of rocks, and with their
classification: lithology.
Petroleum
Geology- The branch of economic geology that deals with
the occurrence and exploitation of oil and gas fields.
Sedimentary
Geology- The branch of geology relating to rocks formed by
the deposition of sediment.
Structural
Geology- The branch of geology relating to the structure
of rocks and other aspects of the earth's crust.
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