Earth has many wonders, like our National Parks, the Grand Canyon, different mountain ranges like the Rocky Mountains and valleys. All of these beautiful features of the world can be studied in-depth to determine how they were created. To understand Earth and how these natural formations came to be, amongst other things, we need to look at Earth through the lens of a geoscientist.
What is Geoscience? Geoscience is the study of Earth. Some people also know Geoscience as Earth Science. Geoscience involves the studies of the processes that form and shape Earth’s surface, the natural resources we use, and how water and ecosystems are interconnected.
Geoscientists work to understand the history of the planet. When they study the past, they can foresee how these events and processes might influence the future. To gather a good understanding of our world, geoscientists focus on studying a variety of subjects. There is a plethora of information online and through resourceful websites such as on sites like https://mountsopris.com/wellcad/core-logging-software/. Here you can find a lot of useful information.
Fieldwork
To understand the different subjects geoscientists study, we need to examine how they gather their research. For any geoscientist, fieldwork is one of the many ways for them to investigate a particular location. When geoscientists put themselves in the field, they experience the interactions between what they observe and the recorded observations-also known as inscriptions-that different scientists brought back from the field on other occasions. Eventually, they will begin to interpret the data from multiple generations of inscriptions.
Fieldwork requires a lot of planning and preparation. This kind of in-depth study can also be expensive. To cut down on costs, they can gather data and research before they head out into the field. When they need to research a representation of the surface and sub-surface of Earth, they can use aerial, Landsat, or DEM imagery. Geoscientists can also use a variety of maps, including topographer and geologic maps, to research the area they want to study.
The Study of Earth Processes
Some of the most impactful events that happen to different communities are natural events. The study of landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods is extremely important because of the devastating impact these events have on communities. geoscientists work to study the patterns of these different natural events to understand where they are more likely to occur.
To understand the natural disasters that take place on Earth, geoscientists need to look at Earth closely. Plate tectonics fit together like puzzle pieces and make up the outer layer of the Earth. When these plates shift together, they can result in natural disasters that affect different parts of the world. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunamis, and other geological hazards are caused by these shifts.
Geoscientists can work with builders to find places to build new communities where the communities will be safe. If a community is built in an area known for floods, they can help advise where flood protection and flood insurance are needed.
The Study of Earth’s Materials
Earth is made up of different rocks and minerals that we can use to create a variety of materials. Building materials, cars, roads, appliances, and even cosmetics are just a few things that need rocks and minerals. By studying where we can find the rocks and minerals required to create these different materials, geoscientists help find an abundance of materials for different businesses and developers.
Geoscientists also help find where we can locate oil, metals, and water. Oils are produced from wells, metals are produced from mines, and water can be found in different streams or underground reservoirs. By determining where there is an abundant supply of these wells, mines, and streams, geoscientists help find the materials that we need to function as a society.
Geoscientists are responsible for the gas in our cars, the cities we live in, and the water we drink. Without their insight and knowledge about where to find these materials, we would have to change the way our society functions.
The Study of Earth History
When we think about the future, it’s important that we first look at the past. The past can help inform us about what the future holds. This thought process is vital, especially when we’re thinking about climate change.
Geoscientists look at the climates of past years and see how Earth has been affected by previous changes in climate. This information helps geologists inform our governments about the proper steps to take to reduce the waste we put into our environment. Their study and research of climate change can help us make informed decisions involving our atmosphere.
The Study of Geologic Time
When geoscientists think about time, they don’t look in the history books to see when landscapes were created. geoscientists look at the Earth itself to determine time. Geoscientists start with younger surficial deposits and descend into the older rocks, which translates to “deeper” time.
Through this method of examining the Earth itself to study time, geologists have discovered that the oldest Earth materials date back more than 4 billion years. geoscientists focus on different methods of dating to determine the age of different types of rocks and formations.
Relative age dating is the process of placing different geologic events in sequential order. The ocean’s existence, volcanic eruptions, or even the duration of a dune field can all be placed in sequential order with relative age dating. geoscientists look at their position in the rock record. Older events and rocks usually occur in the lower layers of Earth, while later events are higher in the rock sequence.
Absolute age dating involves finding the specific age of different rock patterns. The most common method for achieving this is to use radiometric dating. Radiometric dating is the process of studying the radioactive elements that naturally occur. As different radioactive atoms become unstable they begin to decay into stable “daughter atoms.” This method of dating analyzes the rate of decay in different rock formations to determine how old they are.
Conclusion
The Earth has so many beautiful landscapes, formations, and features that we can experience. When you stop and look at Earth through a geoscientist’s lens, you can uncover so much rich history about our past. Through this knowledge, we can look at the future and determine how we can make positive impacts.
