Brief descriptions of the many careers available in earth sciences are accompanied by information about educational requirements, job duties, job outlook, and interviews with workers in the field. Includes soil scientist, oceanographer, hydrologist, meteorologist, mining engineer, and various types of geologists.Includes sources of further information and a list of colleges and universities with earth science programs.
GEOLOGY IS THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE EARTH, its composition, its processes, and the forces that act upon it. It is a broad subject that covers very specific aspects from glaciers and volcanoes, to gem stones and energy resources, to changing land formations and mass extinctions. It includes every area - the earth's core, ocean floor, deep canyons, mountaintops, and even the atmosphere. Geologists spend most of their time outdoors, often in remote areas. They dig up fossils, take soil samples, create maps, and gather lots of photographic evidence. They study the weather and investigate potential geological activity in order to predict natural disasters and potentially save people from the ravages of tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions. There are dozens of different jobs that a geologist can hold. Each utilizes the knowledge and skills acquired from the same basic training and education. What any one geologist does depends on the job title or area of specialization. For example, environmental geologists are concerned with the safe use of natural resources. They test soil and water for signs of toxins after accidents, help create plans for cleanup, and make sure areas are safe for residents. Hydrogeologists work primarily with water. They study how water moves, how and where it becomes available to communities, ways to increase water supplies, and how to minimize possible pollution. Petroleum geologists search for sources of oil and gas, and develop methods for safe extraction. The minimum educational requirement to become a geologist is a bachelor's degree in geology, though many employers prefer a master's degree. In either case, those entering the field can expect to find jobs waiting for them. In fact, industry leaders predict that some areas will experience shortages of trained professionals as the demand for renewable and safe energy, more accurate hazard weather plans, global environmental safety, and answers to the threat of climate change grows in importance.
For many students with no science background, environmental geology may be one of the only science courses they ever take. Living With Earth: An Introduction to Environmental Geology is ideal for those students, fostering a better understanding of how they interact with Earth and how their actions can affect Earth's environmental health. The informal, reader-friendly presentation is organized around a few unifying perspectives: how the various Earth systems interact with one another; how Earth affects people (creating hazards but also providing essential resources); and how people affect Earth. Greater emphasis is placed on environment and sustainability than on geology, unlike other texts on the subject. Essential scientific foundations are presented - but the ultimate goal is to connect students proactively to their role as stakeholders in Earth's future.
