The earth sciences are fascinating in their own right. In addition, they provide a familiar, tangible context for other scientific disciplines such as chemistry, physics, and biology. Certainly the most important role of geology will be played out in the future. As the earth's population increases, so will the demand on the earth's resources. Society will move into a global era of scarcity of resources.
Water is already in critically short supply in much of the world.
Energy resources and the environmental consequences of their use are bound to become even more urgent problems in the next few decades. Much of the world's population lives in regions where earthquake or volcanic risks are h igh. Sound public policy decisions about these issues require an adequate understanding of the earth, acquired through instruction in geology and geography. The reasons for studying geology are as diverse as the discipline itself. A geology major opens many geoscience career opportunities in academia, government, and industry.