L1
Introduction to
Geology
In this Class
• The Four great realms
• Definition of Geology
• What is Geology?
• Sub-divisions of Geology
• Other Branches of Geology
• Engineering Geology
• Summary
The Four Great Realms: The natural systems encountered in physical
geography operate within the four great realms, or spheres, of the
Earth. These are the atmosphere; the lithosphere, the hydrosphere,
and the biosphere. CRYOSPHERE???
Atmosphere –
• The gaseous layer that
surrounds the Earth.
• It receives heat and moisture
from the surface and
redistributes them, returning
some heat and all of the
moisture to the surface.
• It supplies vital elements
needed to sustain life forms.
• Lithosphere - This outermost solid layer of the Earth provides a
platform for most life-forms. The solid bedrock bears a shallow layer
of soil in which nutrient elements become available to organisms.
The surface of the lithosphere is sculpted into landforms which
provide varied habitats for plants, animals, and humans.
Hydrosphere - The liquid realm of the Earth is principally the mass of
water in the world’s oceans. It also includes solid ice in mountain and
continental glaciers. Water occurs as a gaseous vapor, liquid droplets,
and solid ice crystals. In the lithosphere, water is found in the
uppermost layers in soils and in ground water reservoirs.
Biosphere - Most of the biosphere is contained in the shallow
surface zone called the life layer. It includes the surface of the
lands and the upper 100 meters of the ocean. On land, the life
layer is the zone of interactions among the biosphere, lithosphere,
and atmosphere.
The Four Great Realms
Lithosphere - All processes associated with the solid earth
Hydrosphere - All processes associated with water
Atmosphere - All processes associated with the gases that envelope the earth
Biosphere - All processes that involve living organisms
DEFINITION
Greek Earth The study of
Geology = The study of Earth
What is Geology?
• The science that deals with the study of planet Earth.
• Deals with origin, age and structure of the earth
• Evolution, modification and destruction of various surface
and sub-surface features (mountains, plateaus, plains,
valleys, basins, caves, coastal, marine and sub-marine
landforms).
• Deals with materials making up the earth
• Interaction of atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and
biosphere
• Physico-chemical, dynamic processes and forces operating
within the earth.
Subdivisions of Geology
• Physical Geology – deals with the origin,
development and ultimate fate of various surface
features of the Earth
– Internal agents-volcanism and earthquakes;
– External agents- wind, water and ice.
• Geomorphology – deals with the study of various
surface features of the Earth
– Mountains, plains, plateaus, valleys, basins etc.
• Mineralogy – deals with formation, occurrence,
aggregation, properties and uses of minerals.
– Crystallography, optical mineralogy and descriptive
mineralogy.
Minerals are the basic building units of which the solid crust of
the earth is made up
Rosy Quartz Milky quartz
• Petrology – deals with formation, occurrence,
aggregation, properties and uses of rocks.
– Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic
Igneous Rocks
Granite Basalt
Sedimentary Rocks
Shale with plant fossils Sandstone
Sedimentary Rocks
Fossiliferous limestone
Metamorphic Rocks
Gneiss –
Marble
banded appearance
• Historical Geology – deals with the past history of the
Earth.
– Using rocks, sediments etc.
• Economic Geology – deals with the study of minerals
(fossil fuel) that can be used for the benefit of human
beings.
Coal Mine Oil and Gas Fields
Other Branches of Geology
• Geochemistry
– deals with the chemical constitution of the Earth.
– Relative abundance and distribution of elements.
• Geophysics
– Principles, methods and processes of physics
applied to solve problems in Geology.
– Example: to find water, oil and gas etc.
Other Branches of Geology
• Hydrogeology
– deals with the occurrence of ground water and
surface water bodies.
• Meteorology and Oceanography
– Atmospheric parameters
– Chemical, Physical, Biological and Geological
• Engineering Geology
– Geotechnical studies of sites and locations for major
engineering projects.
– Availability of resource materials.
Scope of Engineering Geology
• Application of Geology for a safe, stable and economic design
and construction of a civil engineering project.
• Scope: Aspects of Civil, Mining, Petroleum and Environmental
Engineering
Summary
• Four major realms – all inter-related
• Geology is the study of Earth
• Different sub-divisions
• Allied Geological sciences
• Engineering Geology and its importance in
construction jobs
Thank You!!!
