SCOPE OF GEOLOGY

Introduction

Geology is that branch of physical sciences which deals with the study of the earth including the materials of which it is made, changes that take place on its surface, its interior, and the history of the planet and life forms. Geologists investigate about its composition and various geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanoes, attempting to predict their damaging effects. Geologists address academic demands related to formation and composition of our planet, the causes of earthquakes and ice ages, and the evolution of life. They also address practical problems such as how to explore ground water keep it pollution free, exploration of oil and minerals. Further, we can say that Geology subject accumulates events that the Earth has witnessed for more than 4.5 billion years, like the formation of rocks and mineral resources, origin and evolution of the life, the evolution of atmosphere, and causes of disappearance of so many great organisms from the earth as a function of the varying environment. This time-span of million years and associated events and their causes and consequences are preserved on the earth as the pages in a book.

Development of geology:

Development of geology took place in the years between 1775 and 1830. Geologists commemorate 1775 as the Geological year. In this year a small mining academy at Freiburg in Germany was established where Abraham Warner used to teach geology. Charles Lyell published the classic textbook, 'Principles of Geology', in 1830-1833. Many basic principles of geology were recognized and described during this period. Particularly important were those set out by James Hutton in Scotland. Two other writers of note were William Smith in England and Georges Curvier in France. Abraham Werner (1749-1817) was a careful mineralogist who drew up an excellent system of classification of minerals based on their properties. Werner published few of his theories which were soon spread throughout Europe by the enthusiasm of his students. Werner held that rocks such as granite had formed during the earth's early history by crystallization in a worldwide ocean. He concluded therefore that the oldest rocks in any region were granites and other crystalline rocks. He did not believe that volcanoes were important in past geological eras. Because of his theory that what are known today as igneous rocks originated in the sea, Werner and his followers were called Neptunists.

James Hutton (1726-1797) must be regarded as the ‘father of modern geology’. Hutton recognized the importance of unconformities and pointed out that many igneous rocks clearly intruded surrounding rocks, and therefore were younger. Because Hutton and his followers held that igneous rocks came from molten material within the earth, they were called Plutonists. Hutton's most important concept was that of uniformity – the idea that processes active today were also active in the past, and thus that all geological phenomena can be understood in the light of present processes. The concept was developed from earlier ideas of G.H. Toulmin and became known as ‘uniformitarianism’. William Smith (1769-1839) is regarded as one of the greatest of the early geologists.

Hutton, Lyell and others recognized that the principle of uniformitarianism required very long periods of time, and that the presence of unconformities indicated long time breaks when a local area was being eroded. There was, however, considerable opposition to the geological method of calculating the ages of minerals and rocks, both from religious authorities and from physicists. The physicists, led by Lord Kelvin, maintained that the earth could not be more than 100 million years old. They made the assumption that the earth began as a molten mass and was in process of cooling. The discovery of radioactivity in minerals 1896 showed that the earth was cooling down at a much slower rate than Kelvin had estimated and thus his figure for the age of the earth was too low. Since then techniques based on the breakdown of radioactive isotopes of uranium, strontium, potassium, carbon and other elements have made it possible to measure the age of the earth and the extent of each geological period. During the second half of the l9th Century, while stratigraphic data on various parts of the world were being refined, many other geological advances were being made.

The science of petrology had its origin early in the l9th Century in the careful descriptions of rock specimens by von Buch, Nicol and others. Petrology expanded rapidly after the development of the petrological microscope. In 1851 in England H.C. Sorby published the first description of thin sections of sedimentary rocks, and in 1870 Zirkel described basalts in Germany. Important advances in the understanding of the chemistry of rocks followed. Bunsen suggested in 1851 that igneous rocks were derived from two separate magmas, ‘acid’ and ‘basic’. V.M. Goldschmidt, who collected a vast amount of data about the distribution of elements in the earth's crust and interior, may be considered as the founder of geochemistry. In 1910, Bowen began laboratory studies in experimental petrology, examining the behavior of melts of silicates under various conditions. Geomorphological studies were advanced by the work of Agassiz, who in the 1840s recognized the effects of Pleistocene glaciation in Europe and the USA. The strongest influence up to 1900 was the work of W.H. Davis, an American who worked both in USA and Europe and who first defined the cycle of erosion. Taylor in a lecture in 1908, has given the first detailed theory of continental drift was put forth by German meteorologist and geophysicist Alfred Wegener in 1912. Harry Hess was a geologist and Navy submarine commander during World War II. Part of his mission had been to study the deepest parts of the ocean floor. In 1946 he had discovered that hundreds of flat-topped mountains, perhaps sunken islands, shape the Pacific floor. After much thought, he proposed in 1960 that the movement of the continents was a result of sea-floor spreading. In 1962, he added a geologic mechanism to account for Wegener's moving continents.

The fascination of geology attracts many to careers in this science. Tens of thousands of geologists work for oil, mining, water, engineering, and environmental companies, while a smaller number work in universities, government geological surveys, and research laboratories. Recent developments in geology have further broadened its expanses into medical and health sciences with a new emerging field of medical geology growing very fast. There are countless fields where geological knowledge is a prerequisite to achieve a technologically sound society.

Career in Geology

If you are interested with studies of spread over the earth as whole, then the branch of natural science is waiting for you.  A “Geologist” is one kinds of Scientist who is interested to understand the history of the earth that includes solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth. Geologist studies, earth processes such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, and volcanic eruptions. A Geologist may have career in other associated branches as Geophysicist, Hydrologist, Engineering Geologist and Earth Scientist etc. There are some other area where a geologist can work like mineralogy, volcanology, hydrology, oceanography and environmental geology.

Geologist Job

In simple, we can say that:  Geologist is a Scientist who studies about the Earth's structure, how it's origin and formation and historical developments. Geologists are also involved in exploration and developments in for mining industries related to metals, oils, and other Earth resources.

Courses in Geology

In India, various universities & Institution offers undergraduate, postgraduate & doctorate programs in Geology. Students can pursue these afore mentioned courses to have their career as a Geologist.

Undergraduate Courses: The duration of these courses is three to four years.

·         Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Geology, Earth science, Environmental science, Marine Geology

·         Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Geology.

·         Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Geology, Earth science, Environmental science

Postgraduate Courses: It is two year duration courses.

·         Master of Science (M.Sc) in Geology, Applied Geology

·         Master of Science (Hons.) in Geology

·         Master of Technology in Geology, Applied Geology

Doctoral Courses:

Ph.D in Geology

Areas of specialization

·         Economic geology

·         Geochemistry

·         Marine geology

·         Engineering geology

·         Structural geology

·         Volcanology

·         Mineralogy

·         Geomorphology

Admission

To get admission in undergraduate degree program in Geology in universities and higher education institutes, the student must have completed their 10+2 examination from any science stream.

After passing the bachelor degree, students can pursue the master degree.  Some institutes such as H. S. Gaur University/BHU conduct entrance exam for M.Tech courses in Applied Geology. If you want to get admission in High Ranking Universities/Colleges, you have to appear for the national level exam like GATE 2020. Some universities conduct their own entrance test. National Eligibility Test (NET) is necessary qualification now to get admission in PhD program in Indian universities. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts Geologist exam for Central Government Agencies.

College’s in India that offers UG & PG courses of Geology are:

·         Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

·         Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay

·         Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

·         Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar

·         University of Delhi

·         Banaras Hindu University

·         Aligarh Muslim University

·         Allahabad University

·         Burkatullah University

Career & Jobs

The job opportunities for geologists are increasing day by day because mining sectors contributes a good percentage of GDP of the Countries. After getting the degree from reputed institutes or universities, candidates can apply and get jobs in both in domestic as well as international mining companies. Geologists can work in the industries related to mining, oil and gas, minerals and water resources. They can also get employed in the college and universities as Lecturers and professors.

Some of the geologists are self-employed as geological consultant or work with environmental consulting firms. The U.S. Geological Survey or Department of Energy employs geologists for research and solving problems assignments. Professional geologists work in a wide range of private firms and government organizations. They can get employment on an agreement basis or hold permanent positions within private firms or official organizations. Many geologists get hired by state and central governments to work on geological projects. In upcoming years, the scope and job prospects in geology field will increase according to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.

Skills Required:

To become geologist student have to be the bachelor’s degree as required qualification. The other skills required for geologist is collecting data and mapping in the field. The data collected by a geologist need to be analyzed correctly and accurately by themselves. A geologist also needs to have good communication and team work skills. A proper and accurate knowledge of instruments is also essential for quality works in the field of exploration and mining.

Top Job Profiles:

•           Volcanologists

•           Petroleum Geologists

•           Environmental Geologists

•           Earth Science Teachers

•           Glacial or Quaternary Geologists

•           Structural Geologists

•           Hydrogeologists

•           Engineering Geologists

•           Paleontologist

Top Recruiters:

•           Geological Survey of India (GSI)

•           Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)

•           Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC)

•           Hindustan Zinc Ltd

•           Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC)

•           Coal India Limited

•           Mineral Exploration Ltd.

•           Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)

•           Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

•           Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)

Salary & Pay Scale

In India, the starting salary of the Geologist arises between Rs. 2.5 Lakh to Rs. 3.5 Lacs per annum in both private and public sector. The salary package may increase for the candidates based on their proficiency & experience in the particular field. In Government area, Geologist can earn handsome salary package of approx. Rs.7.5 lakh per year. In abroad, the a Geologist salary may start from $3000/Month