Some people think of geologists as professional rock hounds. They all study the rocks, the minerals and the strata of the planet to figure out what happened to make Earth the way it is, and what will happen if these processes continue. Beyond this, however, geologists' tasks vary. A geologist might stroll through a forest taking note of soil types; walk through the caldera of an active volcano; study rocks from a different planet; or find famous ships on the bottom of the ocean floor.
General Duties
The geologist is an expert in "earth processes." Generally this is an office job, where the geologist prepares reports and summarizes the field work of others; sometimes, though, the geologist is a field worker, setting up sampling equipment, taking samples, interpreting the data gleaned from that sampling and measuring, and preparing the reports and synopses of the geologist's own field work. These samples might range from a simple soil test to a test of sample cores taken from the bottom of a tropical ocean or from beneath the polar ice caps.
The Vulcanologist and Seismologist
Some geologists study volcanoes, maintaining a watch over seismographs and other monitoring equipment in an effort to protect communities from the destructive effects of an eruption by providing early warnings of an impending event. While there is an "office component" to this work as well, it nonetheless takes these geologists worldwide and is among the most hazardous of occupations available to a geologist, since it involves descent into active volcanoes. Other geologists, known as seismologists, study the causes and effects of earthquakes, monitoring known faults with seismographs and other specialized sensors to provide the initial warning of a quake. Seismologists also monitor pre-tsunami activity in an attempt to give early warning to coastal communities.
The Consultant
The geologist is often in a consulting position, sorting out the geological information that affects the planning and design of structures like tunnels, dams and bridges, and preparing reports for other professionals involved in a project, interfacing with architects and engineers to provide them with the most accurate information on the effects of an area's geology on a project. As professionals, geologists are charged with promoting public safety in every aspect of their work.
The Petrologist
Petrologists are geologists who determine whether oil, natural gas or other mineral resources are present below the surface of the Earth by studying the strata of the Earth's crust. They use tools like ground-penetrating radar and sonograms derived from explosions or explosive sounds to determine whether conditions warrant exploration for oil and other resources, both on land and at sea.
The Planetary Geologist
Planetary geologists use the physical principles of geology and atmospheric physics to interpolate conditions and information from studies of other planets. These geologists might find themselves studying moon rocks in the lab or examining soil samples and rocks on Mars by remote control.
The Oceanographer
Oceanography is a branch of geology. The training of an oceanographer includes training in atmospheric physics, soils, paleontology and the physical characteristics of the almost 75 percent of Earth that is covered by water. Occasionally, their work leads them to interesting discoveries, like that of the RMS Titanic by Dr. Robert Ballard of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Tags: atmospheric physics, determine whether, field work, geologist field, preparing reports, seismographs other, study rocks