Geology is the study of the earth. It covers the materials it is made from, the structure of those materials, and the processes acting upon them. Geology students are taught skills to help them search for, analyze, monitor and develop earth components. In essence, geologists work to understand the physical history of the planet. Geology students have several specialty fields to consider. As of 2011, the starting pay for most ranged from $30,000 to $42,000 a year.
Petroleum Geologist
Petroleum geologists explore the ocean and land for possible oil and gas deposits. This job is labor-intensive, and involves sophisticated instruments and advanced computer programs to interpret geological information. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics put the average salary at $127,560 as of 2008.
Engineering Geologist
Engineering geologists commonly work with civil engineers, architects, and developers to ensure the safety of building structures. They are trained to apply geologic principles to actual situations. Engineering geologists will give advice on construction projects, assist with pollution removal, and help with hazard-reduction projects.
Mineralogist
Mineralogists identify the location of minerals through chemical analysis. They study the formation and behavior of minerals and rocks in high and low temperature areas, and classify these in accordance to composition and structure. Mineralogists are often hired as quality control advisers in the mining industry.
Sedimentologist
Sedimentologists study the origin, distribution, and alteration of sediments such as sand, mud and clay. The sedimentologist will use this knowledge to interpret geologic history.
Stratigraphers
Stratigraphers study rock layers and their formation to understand the environment from which they were formed. Stratigraphy's subfields are lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy. Lithostratigraphy deals with the physical characteristics of rock formation, while biostratigraphy is the study of fossil evidence within the rock layers.
Paleontologist
Paleontologists study fossils to trace organisms' evolution, the environment in which they lived, and their interactions with one another, which all contribute to the geologic history of the earth. Paleontologists aim to describe past phenomena and reconstruct its causes.
Hydrologist
Hydrologists study the form and strength of precipitation, the rate at which it infiltrates soil, and how it returns to the sea and atmosphere. Hydrologists use remote sensing technology, data assimilation, and numerical modeling in their work.
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