• Geology is the study of the Earth and in particular its history, structure, and the processes that have molded our planet and its biosphere. Geology involves the origin of continents and ocean basins, earthquakes and volcanoes, variations in global climate, and how these physical changes impact the evolution of life. All of these planetary processes are viewed through the prism of 'deep time', a perspective unique to geoscientists and one that distinguishes geology from most of the other physical sciences.
  • Applied aspects of the geosciences involve interactions between humans and the environment and include mineral resources such as oil and water, geologic hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions, river restoration, and understanding climate change.