Geology is the scientific study of the Earth, including its structure, composition, physical features, history, and the processes that shape it both in the past and present. It encompasses the study of rocks, minerals, mountains, volcanoes, fossils, and natural phenomena like earthquakes and erosion. Geologists investigate how the Earth formed, how it has evolved over its approximately 4.5 billion-year history, and how various processes continue to shape its surface and interior. This field integrates knowledge from other sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics to understand Earth's systems and resources
. In summary, geology covers:
- The Earth's materials (rocks, minerals)
- Earth's physical structures and surface features (mountains, volcanoes, rivers)
- Processes acting on Earth (plate tectonics, erosion, volcanic activity)
- The history of the Earth and life through geological time (fossils, stratigraphy)
- Natural resources and environmental issues related to Earth
Thus, geology is essentially the study of the Earth and its dynamic systems.
