Geological oceanographers study sediment transport, ocean sediments and other rocks on the ocean floor and continental shelf. Most geologists who work for petroleum companies explore for gas and oil. The majority are in the United States, but many work in other oil-producing areas, such as Canada, Australia, the Middle east, Africa, the North Sea, and Indonesia. They also conduct basic research in fields such as paleontology, geochemistry, and geophysics. Mining companies use geologists to determine the location and extent of ore reserves in established mining areas, as well as to locate new deposits.
Geologists help determine the economic feasibility of developing the fields.
Mining employs high-tech machinery, skilled workers, and is one of the best paying industries in the United States. Hydrogeologists locate and characterize groundwater resevoirs and participate in the management and protection of this resource. More recently, they have played a major role in characterization and remediation of the areas where groundwater resevoirs have been contaminated. Some other industries employing geologists and geological engineers are railroads, and gravel companies, chemical, cement, ceramic, and utility companies, and real-estate developers. Banks and investment firms employ environmental engineering geologists as consultants to help evaluate properties.