What do Geoscientists do?
and
What career paths do they follow?

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 oil 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 uses 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.

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 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 relationship to their environment.

Paleontologists study fossils to understand past life forms and their changes through time and to reconstruct their 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 nature, origin, distribution, and alteration of sediments, such as sand, silt, and mud. Oil, gas, coal, and many mineral deposits occur in such sediments. 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.

Job possibilities: industries related to oil and gas, mining and mineral and water resources; federal and state government (United States Geological Survey – Department of Interior; Department of Energy Forest Service; National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; or U.S Army Corps of Engineers); Self-employed as geological consultants; teaching or research.

Important Web sites:

American Geological Institute
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
American Geophysics Union
American Institute of Professional Geologists
Geological Society of America
National Association for Black Geologists and Geophysicists
Society of Exploration Geophysics