Geologist - Tasks and specialisations
Kaitai Aro Whenua
Tasks & duties
Geologists may do some or all of the following:
- investigate the internal structure of the Earth
- study earth processes such as the formation of soils, rocks and faults
- use geological research to locate oil, natural gas, water and minerals
- organise drilling and exploration programmes on mine sites
- collect, examine and analyse rocks, minerals and fossils
- survey land and seabeds to help prepare geological maps
- monitor the geotechnical conditions of mine sites
- draw maps using specialist computer software
- give advice on land use and resource management
- advise on risks from landslides, volcanoes, earthquakes and other natural hazards
- write research papers and reports on the results of their studies
- write reports on mineral extraction, land use or resource management
- present papers at conferences
- review other scientists' work
- teach at universities.
Geologists in the field conducting research
Specialisations
Because geology covers a vast range of subjects, many geologists go on to specialise in the following fields:
- engineering
- mining
- volcanology
- marine geology.
Updated
September 2009
