The Stone Age

What is Geology?
Geology is an Earth Science which comprises of the study of the Earth, the materials it is made up of, the structure of the materials and the processes by which they change. Geology also refers to the study of the solid features of any celestial body.

What does a Geologist do?
A Geologist’s work is to understand the history of the planet. The better the Earth’s history is understood, the easier it becomes to see how events and processes of the past might influence the future.
* They are actively involved in the study of the earth’s crust, examining its structure, layers, matter and history so as to gain a complete understanding of the various processes happening.
* They help in the exploration of minerals, metals and oil, natural gas and underground water deposits at various places.
* Exploration of ocean, study of tectonic plates and other processes happening in the bottom of the ocean to depict the proximity of natural calamities like earthquakes, storms and tsunamis.
* They apply the knowledge of geotechnology to solve the complexities in various construction projects like buildings, roads, dams, tunnels, etc.
* They apply the knowledge of biology to study fossils of plants, animals and various rocks to put light on the evolutionary history.
* Conduct assessment of the research data in form of proper research papers to predict the proximity of natural calamities and further use or study.
* Geologists specializing in ecology may be required to study the various factors of environment and create reports.
* Depending on the gathered data and research, they predict promising sites for various earthly resources like minerals, metals and crude oil.
* They also advise factors that would help in the development of such resources in the earth’s crust and also the techniques for better extraction.

What are the key skills required?
* The individual should have thorough knowledge of subjects like physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics along with the subjects required for specialization in one of the sub-fields.
* They should be able to work with an array of scientists from multiple disciplines and areas of specialization.
* Good analytical and decision making capabilities are very important. A geologist holds huge responsibility to assure the accuracy of the forecasts made by him/her or the team.
* He/she should have a sound knowledge of computer software’s to plot the data in machine form, so that it could be studied or understood by normal human beings.

What are the employment opportunities?
* There is huge scope for geologists in various industries related to research and exploration of the earth’s crust, its matter, rocks, oceans and its applied fields like construction, mining, weather forecast and many more. Mostly, geologists work in the natural gas and petroleum industry.
* Geologists also find work opportunities in private industries, universities, colleges and museums.
* There are huge career opportunities for a Geologist in the research and core-field work. For the ones who love to explore things and live in unusual learning and working environments, this field offers many chances of progress.
* The other fields you can work in with a Geology degree are Engineering geologist, Geochemist, Geophysicist/field seismologist, Geoscientist, Hydro geologist, Seismic interpreter, Mud logger and Well site geologist.

Where you can study Geology?
* St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
* Somaiya Vidyavihar, Mumbai
* Fergusson College, Pune
* Goa University
* Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
* Bangalore University
* Imperial College, London
* University of Leicester, England
* Pennsylvania State University
* University of Oxford

 

We talk to Dr. Hrishikesh Samant, Associate Professor & Head of the Department of Geology at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai about what it’s like to be a geologist in today’s day and age

What are the required skill sets that one needs to have in order to take up a career in this field?
Those passionate about travelling extensively, living in tents and being up close and personal with nature will feel right at home pursing Geology as a career. With the routine nine to five job within the confines of a cubicle eliminated, the world becomes your personal workstation desk. Excellent physical fitness is an essential perquisite for becoming a successful geologist. Being naturally adventurous is an added bonus. One also needs the right temperament and ability to survive in harsh working conditions. Willingness to relocate or spend a considerable amount of time away from home is a must.

What is the scope for Geology students in today’s time?
Numerous career opportunities are present for students studying Geology. Oil and Gas exploration is the most lucrative sector. However a plethora of other sectors are present as well which are both challenging and rewarding in their own way. A few of these are energy, mining, geoscience, seismology, geodesy, environmental science, remediation of contaminated land, agriculture, forestry, ecology, plant science, meteorology, atmospheric science, oceanography, marine geology, hydrogeology, soil science, remote sensing, GIS, geotechnical / civil engineering, surveying, renewable energy, EIA, waste management, sustainable development, watershed management, etc to name a few.

What does the work of a Geologist comprise of?
The points enlisted below gives a brief idea of the scope of work a Geologist undertakes:
* Predicting the behaviour and evolution of Earth systems.
* Finding adequate supplies of natural resources, such as ground water, petroleum, and metals. Conserving soils and maintaining agricultural productivity.
* Developing natural resources in ways that safeguard the environment.
* Maintaining quality of water supplies.
* Reducing human suffering and property loss from natural hazards, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, landslides, hurricanes, and tsunamis.
* Determining geological controls on natural environments and habitats and predicting the impact of human activities on them.
* Defining the balance between society’s demand for natural resources and the need to sustain healthy ecosystems.
* Understanding global climate patterns.

What are some of the perks of being a Geologist?
The ability to travel and explore the earth extensively is perhaps the biggest perk of being a Geologist. From the depths of the oceans to the heights of the tallest mountains, from underground mines to dense jungles, the sheer variety of locations and environments makes a Geologist’s job seem like a dream. The excellent pay packages Geologists receive are rivalled only by a few other careers and can be thought as an added bonus. Not to forget a Geologist never suffers from the Monday Blues!

What are some of the best institutions in India as well as worldwide where one can take up this course?
Most of the universities in US which are ranked, have excellent earth science departments. Added to it is the fast developing arena of planetary geology in which UC Berkley, University of California San Diego along with Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Lab and Goddard Space Flight Center are taking in a lot of geologists for their planetary geology program. In India; Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) and the upcoming IIT’s are also establishing earthscience departments as the departments in IIT Bombay and Kharagpur are unable to manage the demand for the subject. IIT Bhubaneshwar has recently bagged DST funding for setting up a undersea laboratory facility too. St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai offers an undergraduate course in Geology and takes pride in offering the best course structure in the country.

If the Earth and all it contains fascinates you and you would like to know and do more about it, then a career in Geology might just be the right one for you

 

Volume 5 Issue 11