From The Student Room

TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Subject Guides > Geology

---

Courses

GCSE

A Level

International Baccalaureate

Scottish Standard Grade

Scottish Higher

University

The Course

Applying

Personal Statements

Study Help

Revision notes

Other Info

Discussions

Also See

Geology is the study of every physical aspect of the earth. The subject is heavily rooted in the Physical Sciences, requiring knowledge of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology as well as the more qualitative techniques which are often related to studying Geography.

As well as Geology being the study of the solid earth, at degree level it will also incorporate the study and understanding of the earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere, although these are often studied as subjects in their own right when the level of detail increases beyond undergraduate level.

The History

Geology as a science has evolved extremely rapidly over the last two hundred years, and has regularly been completely turned on its head by the discovery of revolutionary theories that lead to the understanding of such as those of Charles Darwin (Evolution), Alfred Wegener (Plate Tectonics) Walter Alvarez (End-Cretaceous Meteor Impact) Arthur Holmes (Age of the Earth) and Milutin Milankovitch (Ice Ages). The testament to the forward-thinking research undertaken by geologists at this time is shown by the fact that many of the major discoveries are frequently ridiculed, often not being widely accepted until after the scientists death.

During the late 18th Century, Britain and France were a hotbed of geological evolution. The early major division of thought was between the processes of Plutonism and Neptunism, debating whether the earths origin had been via it cooling from a molten mass (Plutonism), as seen with the product of volcanic eruptions or precipitation from a liquid brine of water, comparable to the formation of modern calcareous rocks (Neptunism). The first of these theories has stood the test of time and is now widely accepted as the method of planetary accretion that occurs within the universe.

The first geological map ever published was an independent effort by a canal engineer named William Smith, but despite the enormous amount of work he put in to produce his amazingly accurate map he remained unknown in the field for a long period after its publication in 1799 due to his map being stolen and reproduced by the nobles of the time. But, he was finally recognised for his work by the Geological Society of London in 1831.

The defining principle of geology is Uniformitarianism. This states that by viewing modern processes we can determine what happened in the past. James Hutton was the first geologist to publish this postulation with his paper "The Theory of the Earth", published in 1785 and has resulted in him being viewed as the first modern geologist.

Another major exponent of Plutonism was Sir Charles Lyell, whose book "Principles of Geology" was said to be the main inspiration to Darwin whilst on his voyage on The Beagle. He was also one of the major supporters of the occurrence of ice ages.

The main areas of research in this area were related to calculating the age of the earth, fossil taxonomy, especially relating to dinosaurs and the proposed theory of Ice Ages. These pitted the results of scientific research against the religious beliefs still accepted as gospel truth throughout Britain. The conflict between these factual evidence and that presented by the bible created a significant personal strife for many geologists of the time, for example Professor Reverend William Buckland of Oxford University who was so torn by this that it turned him mad.

Studying Geology

Geology degrees are offered at a high level at all red brick universities across the country, and a typical offer would be a mix of Bs and Cs for a Bachelor of Science course. This is also offered at Oxbridge, as a single subject (under the heading "Earth Sciences") at Oxford, and as part of the Natural Sciences course at Cambridge, where the expected offer would be all As.

Geology has a much friendlier environment than the majority of university subjects, and produces a great passion within those who study it. This is usually due to the bonding nature of field work that all undergraduate students are required to undertake, including an independent mapping project undertaken between the second and third years of the degree. As a result, they are also renowned for consuming remarkably large volumes of alcohol.

The main outlet of geological thinking on TSR is the TSR Geology Society so if you have any questions feel free to come along and ask!