Geology is a science that studies the composition, structure and patterns of development of the planet's interior. This science includes a lot of directions. A geologist is a person who studies the interior of the earth.
Origin of the term "geology"
From the Greek word "geology" is translated as "earth" and "study". Initially, the word "geology" - the science of the laws and rules of the earth - was opposed to the word "theology" - the science of spiritual life.
When this word appeared, there is no exact date. Some believe that this term appeared in 1603, and was used by the Italian scientist Ulisse Aldrovandi. Others believe that the word was introduced in 1657 by the Norwegian scientist and person studying the bowels of the earth, Mikkel Pederson Esholt, then in 1778 it was used by Jean André Deluc. The word finally came into use in 1779 thanks to Horace Benedict de Saussure.
Historically, the term "gegnosy" was also used, it was proposed by the German geologists G. Fueksel and A. G. Werner. The term fell into disuse at the end of the 19th century.
Sections of geology
Geology is a historical science. One of its main tasks isto determine the sequence of geological events. Geological research is divided into three main areas:
- Descriptive geology - studies the placement, composition, shape and size of a geological body, rocks and minerals, and the succession of rocks.
- Dynamic geology - deals with the evolution of geological processes - destruction of rocks, transport, accumulation of sediments, movement of the earth's crust, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes.
- Historical geology - studies the sequence of processes in the geological past.
Each of the directions adheres to its principles and methods of research. With the advent of new knowledge, the sections of geology are expanding, the main areas of research today are the following sciences:
- Crustal sciences.
- Science of modern geological processes.
- Science of the historical sequence of geological processes.
- Applied disciplines.
- Regional geology.
Profession geologist
Often this profession is associated with the romance of travel, bonfires and bearded musicians, but this is only one of its many facets. A person who studies the bowels of the earth has knowledge according to the section in which he works. The place of work depends on the section of geology and tasks. These can be expeditions - the study of the subject in the field. This may be the creation of projects or research works - analysis of the receivedinformation within the office. A petroleum geologist's job is related to the search for oil or gas fields. A volcanologist is a specialist who studies the activity of volcanoes. What is a prospecting geologist looking for? He is mainly interested in minerals and minerals. In construction, knowledge of engineering geology is needed.
Geology in Russia
From ancient times, "miners" and "miners" worked on the territory of the Urals and Altai. They were engaged in the search and extraction of iron and copper ores, gems and other minerals.
Lomonosov was a man who studied the bowels of the earth, he laid the foundations for the development of Russian geology, thereby avoiding the mistakes of Western European scientists.
In the 19th century, the development of mining business began, material for processing was required. To this end, exploration work began in the Urals, Eastern Siberia and Transcaucasia. In the course of geological work in Transcaucasia, deposits of oil, iron, copper, lead, silver, and mineral water sources were discovered.
The development of the fuel industry contributed to detailed exploration in the Donets Basin.
Russian geologists, unlike Western European ones, independently came up with the idea of the formation of gold placers. Their place of formation is associated with the destruction of gold veins.
Prospecting and exploration work in the European part of the country gave a lot of information and material for a new understanding of the structure of the Russian Plain.
On the basis of topographic maps, the first geological maps began to be created. At the end of the 18th century there wasthe first petrographic map was created.
In 1882 the Geological Committee was established. A detailed study of the Russian Plain began. In the course of this work, a new direction in geology appeared - paleogeography - a science that studies the physical and climatic conditions of the geological past.
Work was underway to study the deserts, Siberia and Central Asia.
Geology in the Soviet Union
In the era of the Soviet period, the geology of the USSR received a dynamic development and was significantly enriched. After the October Revolution, geological survey covered more than 35% of the country's territory. By 1945, it already covered 66% of the territory of the state.
Expeditions were organized to the Kola Peninsula, the Taimyr Peninsula, the Polar Urals, the Pechora Basin, Gorny Altai and other areas.
The potash s alt deposit of Solikamsk and Bereznyakov was discovered - one of the largest deposits in the world.
The search and exploration of oil fields began in the territory between the Volga and the Urals. Deep drilling yielded fountains of oil.
Along with mining engineers, geologists of various speci alties are emerging who study the earth's crust.
What is a geologist looking for today? Almost all large deposits are discovered and explored. The processes taking place in the bowels of the earth continue to be studied and enrich knowledge of geology. Many questions have been answered, while others have yet to be answered. For a long period of time, a person studying the bowels of the earth drawsinformation, but new answers only generate new questions.
