2.1: How Do Geoscientists View the Earth
How Do Geoscientists View the Earth?
There are many ways to image or view Earth. The most obvious way is to go outside and hike around in person, but that may not always be an option. Field work Links to an external site. is one of many ways in which a geologist can investigate a particular location (Figure 2.1). Field work focuses on specific questions, requires extensive planning and preparation, and is often expensive. Therefore, any research that can be done in a laboratory or office in advance, such as, collecting imagery, is helpful in shortening the time in the field and reducing the cost. When representing the surface and sub-surface of Earth, geologists use aerial, landsat, or DEM imagery, or a variety of maps, including topographic and geologic maps.
Figure 2.1: Field work examples. Clockwise, from left: Michael in Antarctica; Jen examining petrified wood in Petrified Forest National Park; Angelica sampling water; Tari examining core trays; Carina examining in the lab; Meghomita making measurements at an outcrop (CC-BY 4.0; Chloe Branciforte, own work).
⚒️Can You Dig It?
Field work Links to an external site. has evolved significantly during the centuries. Initially geologists were only able to rely on themselves to get to an area, usually by hiking, horseback, pack mule or boats. With the introduction of motorized transport, including trains, cars, and planes areas farther away became much easier to study. Technology has continued to be an important driving factor of field work evolution. The phrase “I’m going to do field work” has expanded to include both work outdoors AND in the laboratory, whether with test tubes and beakers or coding and KMZ files. For many geology undergraduates, field work, in its many forms, is a fundamental component of their curriculum. For us, Google Earth Links to an external site. ensures everyone is able to participate and is afforded the same opportunity.
All geoscientists use imagery, from paper maps to those generated via computer -- regardless of their discipline. Many are employed by universities, where they teach and/or do research, and state and federal agencies, including geological surveys like the California Geological Survey Links to an external site. or United State Geological Survey (USGS) Links to an external site.. Additional career pathways include environmental policy and legislation and consulting, or science communication via the private sector or state and federal agencies. Many of these career options require a college degree and postgraduate work. If you are interested in geoscience talk to your geology instructor for advice. We recommend completing as many math and science courses as possible. Also, visit National Parks Links to an external site., CA State Parks Links to an external site., museums, gem & mineral shows, or join a local rock and mineral club. Typically, natural history museums will have wonderful displays of rocks, including those from your local region. Here in California, there are a number of large collections, including the San Diego Natural History Museum Links to an external site., Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Links to an external site., Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Links to an external site., and Kimball Natural History Museum Links to an external site.. Many colleges and universities also have their own collections/museums.