A Geological Engineer is qualified to practice in areas of engineering that require an understanding of earth materials and natural processes in the earth including design with earth materials or design of projects within earth materials. Waste management -Hazardous wastes generated by many industries must be stored and isolated from the environment. Such waste materials are often stored within the earth and natural earth materials such as clays are used as barriers to prevent waste migration and dispersal. A geological engineer is qualified to choose waste isolation sites and design the natural barriers. Ground water -As population continues to grow, the need for water also continues to grow.
Ground water is an important source particularly in arid regions of the west.
A geological engineer is qualified to design exploration and drilling programs for ground water resources and to design systems to protect these resources from pollution. Foundation engineering and soil stability -Geological engineers are trained in soil and rock mechanics, geological processes, and mapping surficial deposits. Site selection -Geological engineers may undertake site selection and site investigations for large structures in mining, petroleum, and construction industries. They are trained in exploration for petroleum and mineral deposits and in selection of sites for the facilities necessary for exploitation of these deposits. Geological Engineers are trained to recognize earthquake, landslide and slope stability, ground subsidence, and other natural hazards involving geological processes and earth materials.