Careers in Plate Tectonics

About Geology

Geology is the study of the earth on the surface and the inside. It studies how the earth was formed, how it has changed, what it is made of, and how it pieces together.
Geologists use this information to find valuable minerals, oil, groundwater, and other natural resources. They also locate stable places for structures that we build, and help us better understand natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes or avalanches. There are many fields of Geology for one to study in. Although Geologists primarily work on Earth related matters, many study other planets from Earth. NASA employs geologists to help them on their shuttle missions. On this page you will find the different fields of Geology that one can go into. Geology training requirements, and the employment outlook for Geology until the year 2005 can be found also.

Fields of Geology

Geology Training Requirements

Employment Outlook

Fields of Geology

There are many fields in geology that are each unique and different.Below is a list and a description for each one.

Geophysicists use their physics knowledge combined with their geology knowledge to study the Earth's inside structure. and how things like earthquakes happen.
Geochemists study the chemistry of the Earth and the creation of minerals and elements.
Geochoronologists study the history of the earth by learning from rock formations and their ages.
Petrologists study the origin, placement, and structure of different rocks.
Mineralogists study the creation and makeup of minerals. They study how they are made and where they are found.
Structural Geologists researches the way pieces of rock deform and change over time.
Sedimentary Geologists learn about how minerals or sediments are carried by wind and water, how they are made, and what they produce.
Petroleum Geologists borrow information from structural and sedimentary geology to find natural resources such as oil or natural gas.
Paleontologists study fossils which are found within sediments or rocks. They then compare these fossils to present time animals and plants.
Geomorphologists attempt to teach the structure and evolvement of the Earth by looking at things like erosion and glacier movements.
Economic Geologists, like Petroleum Geologists, us information from other geology fields to find new sources of minerals, water and natural resources.

Geology Training Requirements

Geologists generally have a Bachelor's degree and have completed training in one or more of the following areas:

Geology

Geochemistry

Geophysics and Seismology

Paleontology

Geological and Related Sciences

Oceanography

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Employment Outlook

In 1994, employment in the United States of Geologists was 39,342. It is estimated that this field will grow at an annual rate of 18% between 1994 and 2005.

Percentage of job openings:

Services: Engineering and Architectural Services (18.34%)

Mining: Crude, Petroleum, and Natural Gas (15.73%)

Mining: Natural Gas Liquids (15.73%)

Public Administration: Executive, Legislative, and General (15.62%)

Public Administration: Justice, Public Order, and Safety (8.11%)

Services: Research and Testing Services (6.11%)

Services, Nec (5.15%)

Mining: Oil and Gas Field Services (3.79%)

Services: Educational Services (2.99%)

Public Administration: Finance, Taxation & Money Policy (1.78%)

Finance: Holding and Other Investing Offices (1.51%)

Services: Computer and Data Processing Services (1.13%)