Types of Geoscientists
Specialties in Geosciences
The field of geoscience has many subspecialties, which results in a diverse range of careers. Learn more about the different types of geoscientists and what they study!
Check out the Geology Department's Directory to learn more about each faculty's specialty and their research projects!
Atmospheric scientists...
study weather processes, the global dynamics of climate, solar radiation and its effects, and the role of atmospheric chemistry in ozone depletion, climate change, and pollution
Economic geologists...
explore and develop metallic and nonmetallic resources. They study mineral deposits and find environmentally safe ways to dispose of waste materials from mining activities.
Engineering geologists...
apply geological data, techniques, and principles to the study of rock and soil surficial materials and ground water. They investigate geologic factors that affect structures such as bridges, buildings, airports, and dams.
Environmental geologists...
study the interaction between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and human activities. They work to solve problems associated with pollution, waste management, urbanization, and natural hazards, such as flooding and erosion.
Geochemists...
use physical and inorganic chemistry to investigate the nature and distribution of major and trace elements in ground water and Earth materials. They use organic chemistry to study the composition of fossil fuel (coal, oil, and gas) deposits.
Geochronologists...
use the rates of decay of certain radioactive elements in rocks to determine their age and the time sequence of events in the history of the Earth.
Geologists...
study the materials, processes, products, physical nature, and history of the Earth.
Geomorphologists...
study the Earth’s landforms and landscapes in relation to the geologic and climatic processes and human activities which form them.
Geophysicists...
apply the principles of physics to studies of the Earth’s interior and investigate Earth’s magnetic, electric, and gravitational fields.
Glacial geologists...
study the physical properties and movement of glaciers and ice sheets.
Hydrogeologists...
study the occurrence, movement, abundance distribution, and quality of subsurface waters and related geologic aspects of surface waters.
Hydrologists...
are concerned with water from the moment of precipitation until it evaporates into the atmosphere or is discharged into the ocean; for example, they study river systems to predict the impacts of flooding.
Marine geologists...
investigate the ocean-floor and ocean-continent boundaries. They study ocean basins, continental shelves, and the coastal environments on continental borders.
Meteorologists...
study the atmosphere and atmospheric phenomena, including the weather.
Mineralogists...
study mineral formation, composition, and properties.
Oceanographers...
investigate the physical, chemical, biological, and geologic dynamics of oceans.
Paleoecologists...
study the function and distribution of ancient organisms and their relationships to their environment.
Paleontologists...
study fossils to understand past life forms and their changes through time and to reconstruct past environments.
Petroleum geologists...
are involved in exploration for and production of oil and natural gas resources.
Petrologists...
determine the origin and natural history of rocks by analyzing mineral composition and grain
relationships.
Planetary geologists...
study planets and their moons in order to understand the evolution of the solar system.
Sedimentologists...
study the nature, origin, distribution, and alteration of sediments, such as sand, silt, and mud. Oil, gas, coal and many mineral deposits occur in such sediments.
Seismologists...
study earthquakes and analyze the behavior of seismic waves to interpret the structure of the Earth.
Soil Scientists...
study soils and their properties to determine how to sustain agricultural productivity and to detect and remediate contaminated soils.
Structural geologists...
analyze Earth’s forces by studying deformation, fracturing, and folding of the Earth’s crust.
Stratigraphers...
investigate the time and space relationships of rocks, on a local, regional, and global scale throughout geologic time, especially the fossil and mineral content of layered rocks.
Volcanologists...
investigate volcanoes and volcanic phenomena to understand these natural hazards and predict eruptions.