Geology Rocks!!

07/02/2012 - When I tell people that I study geology, I quite often get an interesting look and a slightly awkward “ah….ok….cool...” response, or something to that affect. For those brave enough to continue the conversation, the question “why geology?” generally pops up. My response? “Because geology ROCKS!”

Rock Formation Near the Grand Canyon

That, and as I am about as smart as a rock, I figure I can get a degree, right?

That still begs the question, why geology? Shoot, what the heck is geology? It’s not your everyday, run-of-the-mill subject, and you would be surprised how many people don’t get “geology rocks” pun. What a shame.

Just as we humans have written records dating back thousands of years, the earth has left a record of her dealings. Geologists have learned, and are continuing to learn to read the rock record, which gives us a rich 4.56 billion year history of the earth. While not as plain as words on a piece of paper, the history is there; we just need to learn to read through a new set of eyes.

Mendenhall Glacier in Southeast Alaska

The word geology is derived from the Greek term earth (γῆ, gê,) and study (λόγος, logos.) The Japanese accurately have identified the word, which is 地質学 (Chishitsugaku), meaning Ground/Earth (地,) Substance (質,) Study/Science (学.) And while there are certainly plenty of rocks here on this world, the study of the earth encompasses a wide range of subjects. Mining, glaciers, paleontology, volcanoes, earthquakes, hydrology, stratigraphy, mineralogy, plate tectonics; all are a part of this wide, encompassing subject that we call geology. And the way technology is progressing these days, interplanetary geology is just over the horizon.

In other words, in order to have any interest in geology, all you have to do is have an inquisitive mind. Have you never wondered, “What kind of rock is that?” or “How do glaciers form?” My favorite is “Where can I find a dinosaur bone?” Even simply wondering at how the Grand Canyon came into being is enough. Questions like these are what lead those of us whose child-like curiosity hasn’t died yet to search for clues as to how to see things as they really are.

So we’ll take a look together at several different aspects of geology, and not only the rocks. We’ll take a look at how to see things through the eyes of a scientist. Learning how to “see” is one of the most important aspects of being a geologist. Things are not always as they seem to be. So be inquisitive! Take a second look at things! The boring rock you pick up randomly likely has quite a history and is more interesting that you can imagine. 

Volcano in Southern Guatemala