Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth’s origin, structure and change.

Understanding how rocks occur in nature is an important part of understanding the larger picture, together with laboratory or computer work. Mapping geology in the field at different scales is therefore fundamental to understanding the various geological processes.

The subject involves learning how to read the signs in the ground, mountain and bedrock that can tell us about the development and structure of the Earth, and relate events with the processes responsible for them. Time is thus of paramount importance, and we have recourse to a great many methods for determining the age of rocks and the processes they reflect.

In geology, knowledge about the composition of the Earth’s crust and its construction by the internal forces (earthquakes, vulcanism) which build up, and the external forces (flood, erosion) which wear down, are important areas of study.

The term geology comes from the Greek words geo, which means earth, and logo which means study.

The exploitation of minerals and raw materials for tools and building materials has been important for people throughout human history, and in more recent times the exploitation of our energy resources like coal, oil and gas, has been critical for the development of modern society. An understanding of the origin and structure of the Earth is thus fundamental for the exploitation of these natural resources.

Our research

Geology is a comprehensive subject and, amongst other themes, our research is in

  • Environmental geology og hydrogeology
  • Geochemistry
  • Magmatisk petrology
  • Metamorf petrology
  • Mineralogy
  • Paleontology
  • Petroleum geology
  • Sedimentology
  • Structural geology
  • Tectonics

For more information about our research, see also the research groups

 

Published Mar. 7, 2011 10:53 AM - Last modified Oct. 25, 2019 2:59 PM

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