CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Definition of Geology
The term "Geology
"Geology"" comes from two Greek words “Geo
“Geo”” and “logy
“logy”.
”. Geo – means
Earth and logy - is study or reasoning. So, Geology is " the study of the Earth ". But
Geology can not be generally defined as the only science of the Earth, for the Earth is
studied by many other sciences apart from geology, such as Astronomy, Meteorology,
Oceanography etc. But unlike to the other earth sciences, Geology studies the earth
entirely. And it is also called Earth Science because it is concerned with the whole
planet. So Geology can be defined as the science which deals with the description and
understanding of the Earth from its origin to the present day. it is the science that deals
with the general structure and composition of the Earth and the Physical, chemical, &
biochemical processes which gave rise to the existence of the Earth and active in the
Earth at present. Generally, Geology studies the Earth :
How it was born or originated?
How it (the continents, the atmosphere, the oceans) evolved?
What it is made of or composed of?
What are the internal & external earth processes that gave rise to the existence
of the earth?
Where can the important natural resources (minerals, fuels, groundwater,
geothermal energy, etc) be found in the earth?
How is the earth affected by people? And How we can preserve it?
A person who studied Geology is called “Geologist”
“Geologist”.. The aim of a Geologist is in
general, to make the earth worthy and comfortable for life. Geologists are engaged in a
variety of occupations:
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In the exploration for metallic minerals such as Gold, Silver, Iron, Al, Cu, etc.
In the exploration for non-metallic minerals such as Diamond, Salt, Marble, Sulfur,
Gypsum, etc.
In the exploration of energy resources such as Hydrocarbon deposits (Petroleum, coal,
Natural gas) and geothermal energy.
In surface and ground water management.
In site investigations for buildings, dams, and road constructions.
In the environmental protection issues such as in pollution control and avoiding resource
depletion problems.
In making predictions of the natural disasters such as Earthquakes, Volcanism, Tsunami,
land sliding, etc.
Today, with the development of space exploration Geologists are beginning to study specimens and
photographs (Satellite images) from the other planets. Perhaps in the near future Geology may be
renamed as Planetology?
Planetology?
Scientists use certain methods (called scientific methods)
methods) in solving problems and developing new
ideas.
ideas. As earth scientists, Geologists use the scientific methods during all their works.
Collecting & analyzing facts/data through an accidental or purposeful observation.
Formulating hypotheses after reviewing the possible explanations.
Testing the hypotheses to verify the hypothesis through some form of experimentation.
Proposing a Theory by constructing a conceptual model.
1.2 Branches of Geology
Although there is no standard way of classifying the subdivisions of geology, it is better to classify them
in to two major parts as Pure and Applied geology.
1.2.1 Pure Geology
This part of geology deals with the origin of the Earth, the processes, which form and change it and the
nature of the materials, which constitute it. Generally, the main aim of pure geology is to understand
about the earth and to formulate geological principles and laws. Some of the areas of specialization in
pure Geology includes:
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Mineralogy - deals with minerals.
Petrology - deals with rocks.
Historical Geology (Palaeontology, stratigraphy, Palaeoclimatology, etc) deals with fossils
and earth history.
Physical Geology (Geomorphology) - deals with earth's land forms and the process of their
origin.
Structural Geology and Tectonics - deals with the structural features of the earth and the
effects of internal processes on earth's surfaces, including ocean formation and mountain
building processes.
1.2.2. Applied Geology
This branch of geology applies the principles of pure geology and other sciences to understand the
nature of the earth and to extract the natural resources of the Earth. Generally, its aim is to utilize the
geologic principles & laws in the exploration of Earth resources. Some of the most common and
important applied fields are;
Economic Geology - deals with economic minerals and rocks such as Gold (and other metals),
Diamond, Marble, Salt, etc.
Mining Geology - deals with the techniques of extraction of the economic minerals and rocks.
Hydrogeology - deals with surface and underground water management.
Engineering Geology - applies the principles of Geology to Civil Engineering works such as in
dams, roads, and building consructions.
Geochemistry - studies the composition of the earth by applying the principles of Chemistry.
Geophysics - studies Earth's internal structure and processes by applying the principles of
physics .
Remote sensing-
sensing- the study of the earth and other planets using satellite images and aerial photos.
Environemental Geology-
Geology- is an applied geology that concerns on solving the major
environmental problems such as pollution, resource depletion, and other global problems.
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There are also some relatively new and of little application applied Geology Streams such as Military
Geology,
Geology, Medical Geology,
Geology, etc.
1.3 The Relation of Geology to other branches of Sciences
The earth is studied by many science disciplines, which are collectively called the" Earth Sciences";
Sciences";
amongst Geology is the one and the major element because it concerns about the whole planet Earth.
Although there are many specializations, the four major areas of study in earth science are:
Geology - deals with the materials of the earth, the processes, which formed and have been
changing it.
Astronomy - the study of cosmic objects, i.e. objects in the universe beyond the earth's outer
atmosphere.
Meteorology - the study of weather and climate conditions and the process that causes it.
Oceanography - the study of the earth's oceans and seas.
But these all are interrelated in essence. Forexample, Geology depends on Astronomy to study the origin
of the earth in the Universe, and conversely Astronomy depends on Geology to infer the composition
and structure of the other planets, say, that of the Mars etc.
Geology is also related with the basic natural science disciplines of Chemistry, Physics, and Biology as
Geochemistry,
Geochemistry, Geophysics,
Geophysics, and Palaeontology respectively. So geology as a science cannot stand-
alone but depends on many other sciences and at the same time geology enhances the achievement of
other sciences.
