Geology is the study of the Earth. As a professional science, it encompasses interests ranging from the study of minerals and rocks to the study of ancient life and life history. Geological topics include earthquakes, volcanoes, the bones of dinosaurs, the sands of long-vanished sea shores, the structures of ancient mountain belts, and the drifting of continents. Geologists are, in fact, among the primary workers engaged in studying and protecting the Earth's environment.
Geologists work in business, government, private practice, and in teaching and research.
In governmental work, geologists are generally employed in federal and state geological surveys, environmental protection agencies, mining bureaus, and water resource divisions. Geologists employed in business or private practice do many of the same things as do government employees, but in addition they may explore for minerals, oil and other valuable Earth resources, and they may consult for engineering firms. Academic geologists generally do the widest variety of geological studies and provide most of the basic information commercial geologists use in their enterprises. Geologists in colleges and universities, of course, also train most geoscience professionals. Individuals who may not wish to pursue geology as a profession may still profit from a geology major.