GCE AS Geology

What is Geology?

'Geo' comes from the Greek word meaning earth. Geology means the study of the earth. Since it is concerned with a whole planet, it is a very broad and interesting subject, which involves such questions as:

• How was the earth formed?
• What is the earth made of?
• How has the earth changed since its formation?
• How has life on earth evolved?
• Where can important metals and fuels be found in the earth?
• How is the earth affected by people using its natural resources?

Many of these questions are difficult to answer because they are about things that happened millions of years ago or at a very slow rate. To answer them, Geologists need to be Scientists and Detectives. They must study clues left by events from the past and compare them with earth processes today. They must also test their theories by setting up suitable experiments. Only by linking together many clues and separate pieces of information can we begin to explain what has occurred during the vast history of the earth.

Geology provides you with the opportunity to enter a wide range of careers such as Surveying, Civil Engineering, the Water Industry, Mining and Waste Management.

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