What is geology in a nutshell?
Geology is the study of the Earth. Geologists look at features on the surface of the Earth such as continents, oceans, mountains and coastlines and study the forces of nature that form them. Geologists might employ techniques to look deep within the Earth to understand why earthquakes occur or how volcanoes erupt; or on the surface at rivers and ocean waves to appreciate how mountains are sculpted or coastlines erode; or up in the atmosphere to appreciate how the Earth's climate is changing. They might examine rocks up close to unravel Earth history or to explore for mineral deposits. Because Earth materials and processes are so varied, geology encompasses very diverse fields:
The form of features on the Earth's surface
(geomorphology)
Earth materials (mineralogy and petrology)
Processes that lead to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes
and mountain building (volcanology, tectonics and
structural geology)
Natural and human activities that affect society
(environmental geology)
The history of Earth systems, including the marine and
terrestrial biosphere, climate, oceans, atmosphere, and
ice sheets (paleoclimatology, glaciology, and
paleontology)
The origin and use of Earth resources such as
petroleum, minerals and water (economic geology and
hydrogeology)

The Earth is literally a geologist's laboratory. Geologists study rocks, fossils, minerals, and the processes by which they were formed over the Earth's 4.6-billion-year history. They learn to recognize signs of valuable ores, minerals, and fuels, but they are also concerned with human impact on the environment. Building on unstable slopes, constructing dams on rivers and jetties on coastlines, as well as the contamination of water supplies are important problems studied by geologists.

Geology investigates and answers many practical questions of daily importance, as well as those that have more long-term consequences. For example, geologic concepts and data help explain how often earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the Pacific Northwest and provide people with ways to prepare for them. The study of how Earth's climate changes naturally over thousands and even millions of years help us appreciate how human activity is impacting climate today.

Government and businesses depend on geologic information and ideas to develop infrastructure and live in harmony with the natural environment. Geology offers students, professionals, and the public the tools for understanding relationships between the Earth and people.

Geology at Oregon State University is an ideal component in the Education Double Degree for students planning to teach, and in the International Double Degree for students interested in studying abroad.

Where else can I find out about Geology?
* Geological Society of America Online Publications
* American Geological Institute Geotimes Magazine
* American Geophysical Union Recent Publications
* Geology.com
* Geology on About.com
* USGS Geology page
* Geology in the News (Houghton Mifflin)