Geologists are curious about the Earth.
The Earth is an outdoor laboratory filled with opportunities to observe Earth processes in action. Rocks, minerals, fossils, mountains, earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, water and landforms are keys to the Earth's past, present and future. Geology is the science that provides the key to finding new sources of useful Earth materials and to understanding Earth processes that affect our lives. Geologists provide basic information to society for solving problems and establishing policy for resource management, environmental protection, public health, safety and welfare. By applying knowledge of forces that shape the Earth, geologists seek to reconstruct the past and anticipate the future.