What is geology and what does it study?

Earth exploration is geology and geophysics. These sciences are interconnected. Geophysics studies the mantle, bark, external liquid and internal solid core. Within the discipline, the oceans, surface and groundwater are explored. This science also studies the physics of the atmosphere. In particular, aeronomy, climatology, meteorology. What is geology? In the framework of this discipline, several other studies are being carried out. Further we will find out what geology is studying.

General information

General geology is a discipline in which the structure and laws of the development of the Earth, as well as other planets related to the solar system, are studied. In addition, this applies to their natural satellites. General geology is a complex of sciences. The study of the structure of the Earth is carried out using physical methods.

Main directions

There are only three of them: historical, dynamic and descriptive geology. Each direction is different for its basic principles, as well as for research methods. Let us consider them in detail.

Descriptive Direction

It studies the placement and composition of the corresponding bodies. In particular, this refers to their forms, size, relationship and sequence of occurrence. In addition, this area deals with the description of rocks and various minerals.

Investigation of the evolution of processes

This is the dynamic direction. In particular, the processes of destruction of rocks, their movement by wind, underground or ground waves, glaciers are investigated. This science also considers internal eruptions of volcanoes, earthquakes, movement of the earth's crust and accumulation of precipitation.

Chronological order

Speaking about what geology is studying, it should be said that the research is not only spreading on the phenomena that take place on the Earth. One of the directions of the discipline analyzes and describes the chronological order of the processes on Earth. These studies are carried out within the framework of historical geology. Chronological order is organized in a special table. It is more known as a geochronological scale. It, in turn, is divided into four intervals. This was done in accordance with stratigraphic analysis. The first interval covers the following period: the formation of the Earth is the present time. The subsequent scales reflect the last segments of the previous ones. They are marked with asterisks on an enlarged scale.

Features of absolute and relative age

The study of the geology of the Earth is of the greatest importance for mankind. Thanks to research, the age of the Earth became known , for example. Geological events are assigned an exact date, referring to a specific time point. In this case we are talking about absolute age. Also events can be assigned to certain intervals of the scale. This is the relative age. Speaking about what geology is, it should be said that first of all this is a whole complex of scientific research. Within the discipline, various methods are used to determine the periods to which specific events are tied.

Method of radioisotope dating

It was opened at the beginning of the XX century. This method provides an opportunity to determine the absolute age. Prior to its discovery, geologists were severely restricted. In particular, only relative dating methods were used to determine the age of the relevant events. Such a system is capable of establishing only a sequential order of the latest changes, and not the date of their completion. Nevertheless, this method is still very effective. This applies to the case where materials that are devoid of radioactive isotopes are available.

Comprehensive research

Comparison of a particular stratigraphic unit with another occurs at the expense of strata. They consist of sedimentary and mountain rocks, fossils and surface sediments. In most cases, the relative age is determined by the paleontological method. At the same time, the absolute is mainly based on the chemical and physical properties of rocks. As a rule, this age is determined by radioisotope dating. This refers to the accumulation of the decomposition products of the corresponding elements that make up the material. Based on the received data, an approximate date of occurrence of each event is established. They are located at certain points of the general geological scale. To build an exact sequence, this factor is very important.

Main sections

Briefly answer the question of what geology is, it is rather difficult. Here it should be noted that science includes not only the above directions, but also various groups of disciplines. At the same time, the development of geology continues today: new branches of the scientific system are emerging. The existing and emerging new groups of disciplines are associated with all three areas of science. Thus, there are no precise boundaries between them. What geology studies is to some extent explored by other sciences. As a result, the system comes into contact with other areas of knowledge. There is a classification of the following groups of sciences:

1. Applied disciplines.
2. About the earth's crust.
3. About modern geological processes.
4. On the historical sequence of relevant events.
5. Regional geology.

Mineralogy

What does geology study in this section? Studies concern minerals, questions of their genesis, and also classification. Lithology deals with the study of rocks that were formed in processes associated with the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the atmosphere of the Earth. It is worth noting that they are still inaccurately called sedimentary. Geocryology deals with the study of a number of characteristic features and properties that acquire perennial frozen rocks. Crystallography was originally one of the directions of mineralogy. At the present time, it can be more quickly attributed to physical discipline.

Petrography

This section of geology studies metamorphic and igneous rocks mainly from the descriptive side. In this case, we are talking about their genesis, composition, textural features and classification.

The earliest section of geotectonics

There is a direction that deals with the study of violations of the earth's crust and the forms of occurrence of the corresponding bodies. Its name is structural geology. I must say that as a science of geotectonics appeared in the beginning of the XIX century. Structural geology investigated tectonic dislocations of medium and small scale. The size is tens or hundreds of kilometers. This science was finally formed only towards the end of the century. Thus, there was a transition to the allocation of tectonic units of global and continental scale. Later, the teaching gradually developed into geotectonics.

Tectonics

This section of geology studies the movement of the earth's crust. It also includes the following areas:

1. Experimental tectonics.
2. Neotectonics.
3. Geotectonics.

Narrow sections

• Volcanology. Quite a narrow section of geology. He is studying volcanism.
• Seismology. This section of geology deals with the study of geological processes that occur during earthquakes. This also includes seismic zoning.
• Geocryology. This section of geology is focused on the study of permafrost.
• Petrology. This section of geology studies the genesis, as well as the conditions for the origin of metamorphic and magmatic rocks.

Sequence of processes

All that geology studies, contributes to a better understanding of certain processes on earth. For example, the chronology of events is the most important subject. After all, every geological science has a historical character to one degree or another. They consider existing education from this point of view. First of all, these sciences determine the sequence of the formation of modern structures.

Classification of periods

The whole history of the Earth is divided into two major stages, which are called eons. Classification occurs in accordance with the appearance of organisms with solid parts, which leave traces in sedimentary rocks. According to the data of paleontology, they allow us to determine the relative geological age.

Research subjects

Phanerozoic began with the appearance of fossils on the planet. Thus, an open life developed. This period was preceded by Precambrian and cryptosis. At this time there was a hidden life. The geology of the Precambrian is considered a special discipline. The fact is that she studies specific, mostly repeatedly and strongly metamorphosed complexes. In addition, it is characterized by special methods of conducting research. Paleontology focuses on the study of ancient life forms. It describes the fossil remains and traces of life of organisms. Stratigraphy determines the relative geological age of sedimentary rocks and the dismemberment of their strata. She also deals with the correlation of different entities. Paleontological definitions are a source of data for stratigraphy.

What is applied geology?

Some areas of science somehow interact with others. However, there are disciplines that are on the border with other offshoots. For example, the geology of minerals. This discipline deals with methods of prospecting and exploration of rocks. It is divided into the following types: geology of coal, gas, oil. There is also metallogeny. Hydrogeology is focused on the study of groundwater. Disciplines are quite a lot. All of them are of practical importance. For example, what is engineering geology? This section deals with the study of the interaction of structures and the environment. The geology of soils is closely related to it, since the choice of material for the construction of buildings depends on the composition of the soil.

Other subtypes

• Geochemistry. This section of geology is focused on the study of the physical properties of the Earth. Also included here is a set of exploration methods, among them electrical exploration of various modifications, magnetic, seismic and gravity prospecting.
• Geobarothermometry. This science is engaged in studying a set of methods for determining the temperatures and pressures of formation of rocks and minerals.
• Microstructural geology. This section deals with the study of deformation of rocks at the micro level. The scale of aggregates and grains of minerals is implied.
• Geodynamics. This science focuses on the study of processes in planetary scales, which occur as a result of the evolution of the planet. The connection of mechanisms in the earth's crust, mantle and nucleus is studied.
• Geochronology. This section is concerned with determining the age of minerals and rocks.
• Lithology. It is also called petrography of sedimentary rocks. Engaged in the study of relevant materials.
• History of geology. This section is focused on the aggregate of information received and ore business.
• Agrogeology. This section is responsible for the search, extraction and use of agrofor for agricultural purposes. In addition, he studies the mineralogical composition of soils.

The following geological sections are concentrated on the study of the solar system:

1. Cosmology
2. Planetology.
3. Space Geology.
4. Cosmochemistry.

Mountain Geology

It is differentiated by types of mineral raw materials. There is a subdivision into the geology of nonmetallic and ore useful rocks. This section deals with the study of the regularity of the location of the corresponding deposits. Also, their relationship with the following processes is established: metamorphism, magmatism, tectonics, sedimentation. Thus, an independent branch of knowledge appeared, which is called metallogeny. The geology of nonmetallic minerals is also subdivided into the science of combustible substances and caustobioliths. This includes shales, coal, gas, oil. The geology of incombustible rocks includes building materials, salts and much more. Also in this section is hydrogeology. It is dedicated to the underground waters.

Economic direction

It is a rather specific discipline. It appeared at the junction of the economy and the geology of minerals. This discipline is focused on valuation of subsoil plots and deposits. The term "mineral", considering this, can be attributed to the economic sphere rather than to the geological one.

Features of Intelligence

The geology of the deposit is an extensive scientific complex, within the framework of which activities are carried out that allow determining the industrial significance of the sites of occurrence of rocks that have been positively evaluated by the results of search and evaluation activities. During the exploration, installation of geological and industrial parameters takes place. They, in turn, are necessary for an appropriate assessment of sites. This also applies to the processing of recoverable minerals, maintenance of operational activities, and the design of the construction of mining enterprises. Thus, the morphology of the bodies of the corresponding materials is determined. This is very important for selecting a system for subsequent processing of minerals. There is a setting of the contours of their bodies. At the same time, geological boundaries are taken into account. In particular, this refers to the surface of faults and contacts of lithologically different rocks. Also takes into account the nature of distribution of minerals, the presence of harmful impurities, the content of associated and major components.

The upper horizons of the crust

Their study deals with engineering geology. The information obtained during the study of soils provides an opportunity to determine the suitability of the relevant materials for the construction of specific facilities. The upper horizons of the earth's crust are often called the geological environment. The subject of this section is information on its regional features, dynamics and morphology. The interaction with engineering facilities is also being studied. The latter are often referred to as elements of the technosphere. This takes into account the planned, current or carried out economic activities of a person. Engineering-geological assessment of the territory involves the allocation of a special element, which is characterized by homogeneous properties.

A few basic principles

The above information allows us to understand clearly what geology is. It must be said that science is considered historical. It has many important tasks. First of all, it concerns the definition of the sequence of geological events. For the qualitative implementation of these tasks, a number of intuitively regular and simple features related to the time relationship of rocks have long been developed. Intrusive relationships are the contacts of the corresponding rocks and their strata. All conclusions are made on the basis of the discovered signs. The relative age makes it possible to determine the secant relationships. For example, if the rocks are ruptured, this allows us to conclude that the fault was formed later than them. The principle of continuity is that the building material from which the layers are formed can be stretched over the surface of the planet in the event that it is not restricted by some other mass.

Historical background

First observations are attributed to dynamic geology. In this case, we mean information about the movement of coastlines, erosion of mountains, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Attempts to classify geological bodies and describe minerals were in Avicenna and Al-Burini. At present, some scientists suggest that modern geology originated in the medieval Islamic world. Similar studies in the Renaissance were carried out by Girolamo Fracastoro and Leonardo da Vinci. They were the first to suggest that fossil shells are the remains of extinct organisms. They also believed that the history of the Earth itself is much longer than the biblical notions of it. At the end of the XVII century a general theory about the planet arose, which became known as diluvianism. Scientists of the time believed that the fossils and the sedimentary rocks themselves were formed because of a worldwide flood.

The needs for minerals very quickly increased already towards the end of the XVIII century. Thus, the subsoil began to be studied. Basically, the accumulation of factual materials, descriptions of properties and features of rocks, as well as studies of the conditions of their occurrence. In addition, observation techniques were developed. Almost the entire 19th century, geology was fully concerned with the question of the exact age of the Earth. The estimated estimates varied quite a lot: from a hundred thousand years to billions. However, the age of the planet was originally defined as early as the beginning of the 20th century. In many respects this was facilitated by radiometric dating. The estimate then obtained is about 2 billion years. At present, the true age of the Earth is established. It is approximately 4.5 billion years old.