There are many reasons why geology is important to life and civilization. Think about earthquakes, landslides, floods, drought, volcanic activity, ocean currents, soil types, minerals (gold, silver, uranium), etc. – geologists study all of these concepts. Thus, the study of geology plays an important role in modern life and civilization.
Geology is defined as “the scientific study of the origin, history, and structure of the earth. Almost everything we use in our lives has something to do with the Earth. Homes, streets, computers, toys, tools, etc. are made from natural resources. Although the sun is the Earth’s ultimate source of energy, we need the additional energy that is produced by burning natural gas, wood, etc. Geological science is of paramount importance in locating these sources of Earth’s energy, as well as explaining how to extract them more efficiently from the bowels of the planet, at the lowest economic cost and with the least impact on the environment. Water resources are extremely important to mankind, but in many parts of the world there is a shortage of fresh water. The study of geology helps find water sources to reduce the impact of water scarcity on people.
The study of geology also covers Earth processes that can affect civilization. An earthquake can destroy thousands of lives in a few minutes. In addition, tsunamis, floods, landslides, droughts, and volcanic activity can have a huge impact on civilization. Geologists study these processes and recommend certain measures to minimize damage if such events occur. For example, by studying patterns of river flooding, geologists can recommend avoiding certain areas when building new cities to prevent potential damage. Seismology, a branch of geology, although a very complex area of study, can help save many lives by assessing where there is the greatest likelihood of an earthquake (usually in geologic fault lines) and recommending the type of technology to be used in building in these vulnerable areas.
Many businesses rely on information from geologists for their operations. Gold, diamonds, silver, oil, iron, aluminum, and coal are natural resources that are widely used in industry. Geologists and the science of geology help find these and other resources. Even a simple building material such as sand needs to be found and mined and then already used in the construction of homes, businesses, schools, etc.
