Earth exploration deals with geology and geophysics.These sciences are interconnected with each other.Geophysics studies the mantle, crust, outer liquid and inner solid core.Within the discipline studied oceans, surface water and groundwater.Also this science studies the physics of the atmosphere.In particular, Aeronomiya, climatology, meteorology.What is geology?As part of this discipline made several other studies.Next, find out what studying geology.
General
General Geology - a discipline in which we investigate the structure and patterns of development of the Earth and other planets belonging to the solar system.Moreover, this also applies to their natural satellites.General Geology is a complex science.The study of the Earth by means of physical methods.
Main directions
total of three: historical, dynamic and descriptive geology.Each area has its own basic principles and methods of research.Next, we consider them in detail.
descriptive direction
It examines the distribution and composition of the respective bodies.In particular, it refers to their shape, size, relationships and sequence of occurrence.In addition, this trend has been the description of rocks and various minerals.
evolutionary studies
This deals with the dynamic direction.In particular, the processes of destruction of rocks, their displacement by wind, groundwater or surface waves, glaciers.Also, this science considers internal volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, crustal movement and accumulation of precipitation.
chronological order
Speaking of that studying geology, it should be noted that the studies are not confined to the phenomena that occur on Earth.One of the areas of discipline analyzes and describes the chronological order of the processes in the world.These studies are carried out within the framework of historical geology.The chronological order is organized in a special table.It is more commonly known as geochronological scale.It, in turn, is divided into four intervals.This was done in accordance with a stratigraphic analysis.The first interval covers the following periods: the formation of the Earth - the moment.Follow-scale segments reflect the latest previous.They are marked with the help of stars on a larger scale.
features absolute and relative age
Studying Earth's geology is essential for mankind.Through research it became known age of the Earth, for example.Geological events is assigned a precise date, relating to a specific point in time.In this case we are talking about the absolute age.Also, the event can be attributed to a certain interval scale.This is the relative age.Talking about what geology, it must be said that in the first place is a complex scientific research.Within the discipline there are different ways to determine the periods to which are attached a specific event.
radioisotope dating method
It was opened at the beginning of the XX century.This method allows to determine the absolute age.Prior to its discovery, geologists were severely limited.In particular, we used only relative dating methods to determine the age of the relevant events.Such a system can only install the sequential order of the latest changes, rather than the date of their commission.However, this method is still very effective.This applies to the case when materials devoid of radioactive isotopes are available.
Complex research
comparison of specific stratigraphic units on the other hand is due to the recovery.They consist of sedimentary and rocks, fossils and superficial deposits.In most cases, the relative age is determined by the paleontological method.At the same time the absolute is mainly based on the chemical and physical properties of rocks.As a rule, the age is determined by radioisotope dating.It refers to the accumulation of decomposition products relevant elements that are included in the material.Based on the data set the approximate date of occurrence of each event.They are placed at specific points in general geological scale.To construct the exact sequence of this factor is very important.
Main sections
short answer to the question of what the geology is quite difficult.It is worth noting that science includes not only the above areas, but also different groups of disciplines.At the same time, and today continues the development of geology: there are new branches of science.Pre-existing and emerging new groups of disciplines associated with all three branches of science.Thus, the precise boundaries between them.What is studying geology, in varying degrees, and studied other sciences.As a result, contact with other spheres of knowledge.There is a classification of the following groups of sciences:
- applied disciplines.
- about the earth's crust.About
- modern geological processes.
- of the historical sequence of relevant events.
- Regional Geology.
Mineralogy
What is studying geology in this section?Research relating to minerals issues of their genesis and classification.Lithology been studying the rocks, which were formed in the processes associated with the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the Earth's atmosphere.It is worth noting that they have inaccurately called sedimentary.Geocryology is studying a number of characteristics and properties that become permafrost rocks.Crystallography originally was one of the areas of mineralogy.Currently, it can be rather attributed to physical discipline.
petrography
This section examines the geology of metamorphic and igneous rocks mainly descriptive side.In this case, we are talking about its genesis, composition, texture features and classification.
The earliest section Geotectonics
There is the direction that has been studying the Earth's crust violations and forms of occurrence of the relevant bodies.Its name - structural geology.I must say that as science Geotectonics appeared in the beginning of the XIX century.Structural Geology studied tectonic dislocation of medium and small scale.Size - tens to hundreds of kilometers.This science is finally formed only by the end of the century.Thus, there was a transition to the separation tectonic units of global and continental scale.In the future, the teaching gradually developed into geotectonics.
Tectonics Geology This section examines the movement of the earth's crust.It also includes the following areas:
- Experimental tectonics.
- Neotectonics.
- Geotectonics.
narrow sections
- Volcanology. rather narrow section of geology.It deals with the study of volcanism.
- Seismology. This section deals with the study of geology geological processes that occur during earthquakes.It also includes seismic zoning.
- Geocryology. This section focuses on the study of the geology of permafrost.
- Petrology. This section examines the genesis of the geology, and the conditions of origin of metamorphic and igneous rocks.
sequence of processes
All that studying geology, contributes to a better understanding of the various processes on the ground.For example, the chronology of events is an important subject.After all, every geological science is historical in varying degrees.They consider the existing education from this point of view.First of all, these sciences find out the sequence of formation of modern structures.
classification periods
entire history of the Earth is divided into two major stages, which are called eons.Classification takes place in accordance with the appearance of organisms with hard parts, which leave traces in sedimentary rocks.According to paleontology, they allow us to determine the relative geological age.
Objects Research
Phanerozoic began with the advent of minerals on the planet.Thus, it is developing an open life.This period was preceded by Precambrian and kriptozoy.At this time, there was a hidden life.Geology is considered to be a special discipline.The fact that it examines specific, mostly multiply and strongly metamorfoznye complexes.In addition, it is characterized by special methods of research.Paleontology is focused on the study of ancient life forms.She spends description fossils and trace fossils of organisms.Stratigraphy determines the relative geological age of the sedimentary rocks and the dismemberment of their sequences.It also deals with the correlation of different formations.Paleontological determination are the data source for the stratigraphy.
What is Applied Geology
Some areas of science somehow interact with others.However, there are subjects that are on the border with other branches.For example, mining geology.This discipline deals with the methods of prospecting and exploration of rocks.It is divided into the following types: the geology of coal, gas and oil.There is also a metallogeny.Hydrogeology is focused on the study of groundwater.Disciplines enough.All of them have practical significance.For example, what is the engineering geology?This is the section dealing with the study of the interaction of plants and the environment.In close contact with him geology soils because of the composition of the soil depends, for example, the choice of material for the construction of buildings.
Other subtypes
- Geochemistry. This section focuses on the geology of the study of the physical properties of the Earth.Also, this includes complex exploration methods, including electromagnetics various modifications, magnetic, seismic and gravimetric.
- Geobarotermometriya. This science is the study of complex methods for determining the temperature and pressure of the formation of rocks and minerals.
- Microstructural geology. This section deals with the study of deformation of rocks at the micro level.It is understood the scale of aggregates and mineral grains.
- Geodynamics. This science focuses on the study of processes on a planetary scale, which occur as a result of the evolution of the planet.The connection mechanisms in the Earth's crust, mantle and core.
- Geochronology. This section deals with the definition of the age of minerals and rocks.
- Lithology. She also called petrology of sedimentary rocks.It deals with the study of relevant materials.
- history of geology. This section focuses on the totality of the information received and the ore business.
- agrogeology. This section is responsible for the exploration, production and use of agroores for agricultural purposes.In addition, it examines the mineralogical composition of the soil.
on the study of the solar system are concentrated geological following sections:
- Cosmology
- Planetology.
- space geology.
- Cosmochemistry.
Mining Geology
It is differentiated by type of mineral raw materials.There is a division in the geology and ore non-metallic mineral rocks.This section deals with the study of patterns of distribution of the relevant fields.It also establishes their relationship with the following processes: metamorphism, magmatism, tectonics, sedimentation.Thus, there was an independent branch of knowledge, which is called metallogeny.Geology of Industrial Minerals is also subdivided into the science of combustible substances and caustobiolites.These include shale, coal, gas and oil.Geology noncombustible rock includes building materials, salt and more.Also in this section include hydrogeology.It is dedicated to groundwater.
economic orientation is a rather specific discipline.She appeared at the intersection of economics and geology minerals.This discipline focuses on the valuation of subsoil plots and fields.The term "minerals", considering it soon attributed to the economic sphere, rather than to the geological.
Features
exploration geology field is a vast scientific complex in which measures are being taken to help you determine the value of the industrial sites of occurrence of species that have received a positive assessment of the results of the survey and assessment of actions.During the exploration is being installed geological and industrial settings.They, in turn, are necessary for the appropriate evaluation of sites.This also applies to the processing of extracted minerals, ensuring operational measures, design the construction of mining enterprises.Thus, a determination of appropriate materials morphology bodies.It is very important to select a treatment system of minerals.Installs the contours of their bodies.This takes into account geological boundaries.In particular, this applies to the surface faults and lithological contacts of various breeds.Also takes account of the nature of the distribution of mineral resources, the presence of harmful impurities, maintenance free, and the main components.
upper horizons crust
Their study involved engineering geology.The information that is obtained in the study of soils, provide an opportunity to determine the suitability of the relevant materials for the construction of specific facilities.The upper horizons of the Earth's crust are often called the geological environment.The object of study in this section is information on its regional peculiarities, dynamics and morphology.Learn and interact with engineering structures.The latter is often referred to as elements of the technosphere.This takes into account a planned, ongoing, or carrying out economic activities of man.Engineering geological assessment of the territory involves the allocation of a special item, which is characterized by uniform properties.
few basic principles
This information allows one to clearly understand what the geology.It is necessary to say that science is considered to be historical.It has many important tasks.First of all, it concerns the determination of the sequence of geological events.For high quality of these problems it has long been intuitively developed a number of ordinary and simple signs, related to the timing relationships of rocks.Intrusive relationships are contacts corresponding rocks and strata.All conclusions are based on the detected signs.To determine the relative age and intersecting relationships.For example, if the rock breaks, it can be concluded that the fracture was later are formed.The principle of continuity is that the construction material of the formed layers can be stretched over the surface of a planet, if it does not limit any other mass.
Historical information
first observations are usually attributed to the dynamic geology.In this case, it refers to the information on the movement of coastlines, erosion of mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes.Attempts to classify and describe the geological bodies were minerals from Avicenna and Al-Burini.Currently, some scientists suggest that modern geology began in the medieval Islamic world.Similar studies in the Renaissance were engaged Girolamo Fracastoro and Leonardo da Vinci.They are the first to put forward the assumption that fossil shells - the remains of extinct organisms.They also believed that the history of the Earth is much longer than the biblical understanding of this.At the end of the XVII century there was a general theory about the planet, which was called dilyuvianizma.
