Definition
Individuals who study the earth, the forces acting upon it and the behavior of the solids, liquids and gasses comprising it. They try to find out how rocks were formed and what has happened to them since their formation; and use their knowledge of the physical makeup and history of the earth to protect the environment; locate water, mineral and energy resources; predict future geologic hazards; and offer advice on construction and land-use projects. Included are petroleum geologists who explore for oil and gas deposits by studying and mapping the subsurface of the ocean or land; mineralogists who analyze and classify minerals and precious stones according to their composition and structure; paleontologists who study fossils found in geological formations to trace the evolution of plant and animal life and the geologic history of the earth; stratigraphers who examine the formation and layering of rocks to understand the environment in which they were formed; volcanologists who investigate volcanoes and volcanic phenomena to try to predict the potential for future eruptions and possible hazards to human health and welfare; and hydrologists who study the quantity, distribution, circulation and physical properties of underground and surface waters.
URL Name
YO-8000-6500-250
Third Level Code
YO-8000
Taxonomy Code
YO-8000.6500-250
Parent Code
YO-8000.6500
Family Code
Y
Second Level Code
YO
Fifth Level Code
YO-8000-6500-250
Fourth Level Code
YO-8000-6500
Use References
Hydrologists, Mineralogists, Paleontologists, Petroleum Geologists, Stratigraphers, Volcanologists
Publication Status
Online