A man studying the depths of the earth. The main directions of geological research

Geology is a science that studies the composition, structure and regularities of the development of the Earth's interior. This science includes a lot of directions. A geologist is a person who studies the depths of the earth.

The origin of the term "geology"

From Greek, the word "geology" is translated as "earth" and "teaching." Initially, the word "geology" - the science of laws and rules of the earth - was contrasted with the word "theology" - the science of spiritual life.

When this word appeared, there is no exact date. Some believe that this term appeared in 1603, and was used by his Italian scholar Ulysses Aldrovandi. Others believe that the word was introduced in 1657 by a Norwegian scientist and a man studying the bowels of the earth, Mikkel Pederson Esholt, then in 1778 he was used by Jean Andre Delux. Finally, the word came into use in 1779 thanks to Oras Benedict de Saussure.

Historically, the term "geognosy" was used, it was proposed by German geologists G. Fuksel and A.G. Werner. At the end of the XIX century, the term was out of use.

Geology sections

Geology is a historical science. One of its main tasks is to determine the sequence of geological events. Geological research is divided into three main areas:

1. Descriptive geology - studies the location, composition, shape and size of the geological body, rocks and minerals, as well as the sequence of occurrence of rocks.
2. Dynamic geology - is engaged in the evolution of geological processes - the destruction of rocks, transport, accumulation of sediments, the movement of the earth's crust, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes.
3. Historical geology studies the sequence of processes of the geological past.

Each of the directions adheres to its principles and methods of research. With the advent of new knowledge, the geology sections are expanding, the main areas of research today are the following sciences:

1. Sciences about the Earth's crust.
2. The sciences of modern geological processes.
3. The science of the historical sequence of geological processes.
4. Applied disciplines.
5. Regional geology.

Profession geologist

Often this profession is associated with the romance of travel, bonfires and bearded musicians, but this is only one of its many facets. A person who studies the bowels of the earth has knowledge according to the section in which he works. The place of work depends on the geology section and the tasks assigned. These can be expeditions - studying a subject in the field. It can be the creation of projects or research works - an analysis of the information received within the cabinet. At the geologist-oil worker work is connected with search of oil or gas deposits. A volcanologist is a specialist who studies volcanic activity. What is a geologist looking for? He is mainly interested in minerals and minerals. In construction, knowledge of engineering geology is needed.

Geology in Russia

Since ancient times in the territory of the Urals and Altai worked "rudoznattsy" and "rudosytschiki." They engaged in the search and extraction of iron and copper ores, gems and other minerals.

Lomonosov was a man studying the depths of the earth, he laid the foundations for the development of the geology of Russia, thereby not allowing the errors of Western European scholars.

In the XIX century, the development of the mining business began, and material was required for processing. For this purpose, exploration work began in the Urals, in Eastern Siberia and the Transcaucasus. In the course of geological work in the Transcaucasus, oil, iron, copper, lead, silver, and mineral water springs were identified.

The development of the fuel industry facilitated detailed exploration in the Donetsk basin.

Russian geologists, unlike the West European ones, independently came to the idea of forming gold placers. Their place of formation is associated with the destruction of gold-bearing veins.

Exploratory work in the European part of the country gave a lot of information and material for a new understanding in the structure of the Russian Plain.

On the basis of topographic maps began to create the first geological maps. At the end of the 18th century, the first petrographic map was created.

In 1882, the Geological Committee was established. A detailed study of the Russian plain began. In the course of this work, a new direction in geology - paleogeography - a science that studies the physico-climatic conditions of the geological past has appeared.

There was work on the study of deserts, Siberia and Central Asia.

Geology in the Soviet Union

During the Soviet period, the geology of the USSR was dynamically developed and greatly enriched. After the October Revolution, geological survey covered more than 35% of the country's territory. By 1945, it covered already 66% of the territory of the state.

Expeditions to the Kola Peninsula, the Taimyr peninsula , the Polar Urals, the Pechora basin, the Altai Mountains and other areas were organized.

The deposit of potassium salts of Solikamsk and Bereznyak was discovered - one of the largest deposits in the world.

The search and exploration of oil fields in the territory between the Volga and the Urals began. Deep drilling gave fountains of oil.

Along with mining engineers , geologists of various specialties appear who are studying the earth's crust.

What is a geologist looking for today? Practical all large deposits are open and explored. The processes going on in the bowels of the earth continue to be studied and enriched by knowledge of geology. Many questions are answered, there are no other answers so far. For a long period of time, a person who studies the bowels of the earth draws information, but new answers only generate new questions.