Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 1.1
Interactions Among Earth's Principal Subsystems
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Lithosphere
Atmosphere
Interaction among various
Surface currents driven
Gases for respiration;
Weathering by wind erosion;
air masses
by wind; evaporation
dispersal of spores,
transport of water vapor for
pollen, and seeds by wind
precipitation of rain and snow
Hydrosphere
Input of water vapor and
Hydrologic cycle
Water for life
Precipitation; weathering
stored solar heat
and erosion
Biosphere
Gases from respiration
Removal of dissolved
Global ecosystems;
Modifi cation of weathering
materials by organisms
food cycles
and erosion processes;
formation of soil
Lithosphere
Input of stored solar heat;
Source of solid and
Source of mineral nutrients;
Plate tectonics
landscapes affect air
dissolved materials
modifi cation of ecosystems
movements
by plate movements
exploration for mineral and energy resources, using their
specialized knowledge to locate the natural resources on
which our industrialized society is based. As the demand
for these nonrenewable resources increases, geologists apply
the basic principles of geology in increasingly sophisticated
ways to focus their attention on areas that have a high poten-
tial for economic success.
Whereas some geologists work on locating mineral and
energy resources, other geologists use their expertise to help
solve environmental problems. Finding adequate sources of
groundwater for the ever-burgeoning needs of communi-
ties and industries is becoming increasingly important, as is
the monitoring of surface and underground water pollution
and its cleanup. Geologic engineers help fi nd safe locations
for dams, waste-disposal sites, and power plants, as well as
designing earthquake-resistant buildings.
Geologists are also engaged in making short- and long-
range predictions about earthquakes and volcanic eruptions,
and the potential destruction that may result. Following the
tragic events in Indonesia in 2004, geologists are now more
involved than ever in working with various governmental
agencies and civil defense planners to ensure that timely
warnings are given to potentially affected regions when nat-
ural disasters such as tsunami occur, and that contingency
plans are in place.
OF THEORIES
The term
theory
has various meanings. In colloquial usage,
it means a speculative or conjectural view of something—
hence, the widespread belief that scientific theories are
little more than unsubstantiated wild guesses. In scientifi c
usage, however, a theory is a coherent explanation for one
or several related natural phenomena supported by a large
body of objective evidence. From a theory, scientists derive
predictive statements that can be tested by observations
and/or experiments so that their validity can be assessed.
The law of universal gravitation is an example of a theory
that describes the attraction between masses (an apple
and Earth in the popularized account of Newton and his
discovery).
TABLE 1.2
Specialties of Geology and Their Broad Relationship to the Other Sciences
Specialty
Area of Study
Related Science
Geochronology
Time and history of Earth
Astronomy
Planetary geology
Geology of the planets
Paleontology
Fossils
Biology
Economic geology
Mineral and energy resources
Environmental geology
Environment
Geochemistry
Chemistry of Earth
Chemistry
Hydrogeology
Water resources
Mineralogy
Minerals
Petrology
Rocks
Geophysics
Earth's interior
Physics
Structural geology
Rock deformation
Seismology
Earthquakes
Geomorphology
Landforms
Oceanography
Oceans
Paleogeography
Ancient geographic features and locations
Stratigraphy/sedimentology
Layered rocks and sediments
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