Civilization exists by geologic consent, subject to change without notice.
Our energy resources, construction and manufacturing materials, food and agricultural products, and building sites all depend on the geologic environment. Dramatic geological processes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or floods impact many areas of the world. Less dramatic but ongoing processes such as rivers, wind, soil erosion, and glacial movement sculpt the landscape and change how humans use the Earth's surface. Geology brings long-term perspectives to these issues, as we study how processes such as continental drift and climate change influence the earth and our lives. The Geosciences are distinct from other natural sciences.