Geological Work Geology is the science of the Earth: its composition, structure, minerals, processes, products, and history. Geologists conduct fundamental scientific research by examining rocks, minerals, fossils, and structures in order to increase our understanding of the Earth. Geologists are concerned with everything from the migration of sand dunes across the desert to the movement of the continents; from lava flows to streams flowing into the oceans. They are also involved in geological problems affecting the public, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, estimation of ground water reserves, locations of oil, gas, and metals, floods, and landslides. Geology is an integrated science which depends heavily upon the application of physics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry to geological problems. Geologists can be found in many professions. They advise construction companies, government agencies, and industries on the suitability of materials for heavy engineering projects such as dams, highways, power plants, shopping malls, and schools. Some geologists administer and manage research, exploration, and environmental programs. Others teach in K-12 schools. Professional geologists conduct research projects and teach courses in colleges and universities. Colorado National Monument. Photo by S. Hase Geoscience Careers and subdisciplines: Atmospheric scientists study weather processes; the global dynamics of climate; solar radiation and its effects; and the role of atmospheric chemistry in ozone depletion, climate change, and pollution.  Economic geologists explore for and develop metallic and nonmetallic resources; they study mineral deposits and find environmentally safe ways to dispose of waste materials from mining activities.  Engineering geologists apply geological data, techniques, and principles to the study of rock and soil surficial materials and ground water; they investigate geologic factors that affect structures such as bridges, buildings, airports, and dams.  Environmental geologists study the interaction between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and human activities. They work to solve problems associated with pollution, waste management, urbanization, and natural hazards, such as flooding and erosion.  Geochemists use physical and inorganic chemistry to investigate the nature and distribution of major and trace elements in ground water and Earth materials; they use organic chemistry to study the composition of fossil fuel (coal, oil, and gas) deposits.  Geochronologists use the rates of decay of certain radioactive elements in rocks to determine their age and the time sequence of events in the history of the Earth.  Geologists study the materials, processes, products, physical nature, and history of the Earth.  Geomorphologists study Earth's landforms and landscapes in relation to the geologic and climatic processes and human activities which form them.  Geophysicists apply the principles of physics to studies of the Earth's interior and investigate Earth's magnetic, electric, and gravitational fields.  Glacial geologists study the physical properties and movement of glaciers and ice sheets.  Hydrogeologists study the occurrence, movement, abundance, distribution, and quality of subsurface waters and related geologic aspects of surface waters.  Hydrologists are concerned with water from the moment of precipitation until it evaporates into the atmosphere or is discharged into the ocean; for example, they study river systems to predict the impacts of flooding. Marine geologists investigate the ocean-floor and ocean-continent boundaries; they study ocean basins, continental shelves, and the coastal environments on continental borders.  Meteorologists study the Earth's atmosphere, including its movements and other phenomena, especially as they relate to weather forecasting.  Mineralogists study mineral formation, composition, and properties.  Oceanographers investigate the physical, chemical, biological, and geologic dynamics of oceans.  Paleoecologists study the function and distribution of ancient organisms and their relationships to their environment.  Paleontologists study fossils to understand past life forms and their changes through time and to reconstruct past environments.  Petroleum geologists are involved in exploration for and production of oil and natural-gas resources.  Petrologists determine the origin and natural history of rocks by analyzing mineral composition and grain relationships. Planetary geologists study planets and their moons in order to understand the evolution of the solar system.  Sedimentologists study the nature, origin, distribution, and alteration of sediments, such as sand, silt, and mud. Oil, gas, coal, and many mineral deposits occur in such sediments.  Seismologists study earthquakes and analyze the behavior of earthquake waves to interpret the structure of the Earth.  Soil scientists study the role of soils in plant growth, their impact on construction and waste disposal, and ways to restore and use land resources.  Stratigraphers investigate the time and space relationships of rocks, on a local, regional, and global scale throughout geologic time - especially the fossil and mineral content of layered rocks.  Structural geologists analyze rocks by studying deformation, fracturing, and folding of the Earth's crust.  Volcanologists investigate volcanoes and volcanic phenomena to understand these natural hazards and predict eruptions. Approximately 75,000 geologists including mining, petroleum, engineering, environmental, and teachers in the United States all work on problems that relate to the Earth and our environment. Geoscientists may be found sampling rocks and minerals from the ocean floors to the moon and Mars. San Juan Mountains. Photo by S. Hase Private industry: More than half of the geoscientists working in the United States are directly or indirectly employed in private industries. Most of them provide three main types of jobs 1) locating ore, oil, gas, and ground water, 2) determining geo-hazards such as floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides, and 3) assessing proposed construction sites for geological suitability. Petroleum Companies: More than 25,000 geoscientists work for the petroleum industries. They are petroleum geologists, geophysicists, sedimentologists, and engineering geologists working in the United States, Africa, South America, Canada, Mexico, North Sea, Middle East and elsewhere in the world. They do subsurface mapping, make stratigraphic correlation, use computers, and acquire seismic, gravity, and magnetic data to locate favorable host rocks for oil and gas. They work on land or off-shore and may travel extensively to explore unknown areas. Mining Companies: More than 6,000 geologists work for mining companies. They explore ore reserves and work with existing deposits. Geoscientists use geophysics, geologic mapping, and computers to determine the economic feasibility of developing ore deposits. Ground Water Companies: Hydrogeologists locate and characterize ground-water reservoirs and develop methodologies to protect ground water from contamination. They play major roles in monitoring ground water quality in land fill sites, gas stations, and chemical industries. Engineering Geology Companies: Geoscientists are employed in preliminary site investigations for heavy constructions such as dams, tunnels, waste disposal sites, highways, power planes, and high-rise buildings. They analyze soil and foundation materials and advise engineering firms on structural design. Some other industries that employ geologists are railroads, gravel companies, utilities, and real estate developers. For example, banks and insurance companies employ geoscientists to check on properties for financing. Government: Federal, state, and local governments employ more than 15,000 geoscientists. State geological surveys and United States Geological Survey employ more than 5,000 geoscientists. Other government agencies employing geoscientists include the National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Valley Authority, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Academia: Academic areas include teaching positions from colleges to elementary and junior high and high schools. More than 20,000 geoscientists teach geology. Employment Outlook Employment in any geologic discipline varies with the economic climate of the country. The long-range outlook is good at this time for oil/gas industries and environmental firms and expected to grow for many years. Dwindling energy, mineral, and water resources along with increasing concerns about the environment and natural hazards present new challenges to geoscientists. How recent graduates are doing Many students who have graduated from Mesa State College are employed in government agencies, K-12, oil/gas industries, and mining companies. A few have opened their own successful consulting businesses. Others have gone to graduate schools and a few have even obtained doctorate degrees.