Explore Geology
By Andrew Alden, About.com Guide to Geology
Go beyond the basics of geology and relate it to your life.
Geology of Your Area
Learn more about the place where you live, or a place you might want to visit.
- Geology of the 50 U.S. States
- How to Read a Geologic Map
- Geologic Maps of the 50 U.S. States
- Geologic Maps of the USA
- Geologic Maps of Canada
- Geologic Maps of Other Countries
- Seismic Hazard Maps Around the World
- Earthquakes in Your Region
- Mountain Pictures Around the World
Careers & Jobs
What geologists do for a living, and where you can get work doing that.
- About Geologic Jobs
- Find a Geologic Job
- Careers in Geologic Journalism
- Top 25 PhD-Granting U.S. Colleges
Geology and the Arts
Artists of all kinds respond to the Earth in their own valid ways. Some pay attention to geology, some don't.
- The Earth Art Movement
- Earth Art Picture Gallery
- Great Stone Faces (Mimetoliths)
- Suiseki, the Art of Stone Collecting
History of Geology
Geology has had a deep influence on intellectual history as well as today's politics. And geology has always been a battleground of ideas, some of them ongoing.
- Geologists' Biographies
- History of Ocean Drilling Programs
- The Gold Rushes
- History of Earthquake Prediction
- Theories of Earth Heat
- Theory of Land Bridges
- The Mountain Problem
- 1755: The Great Lisbon Earthquake
- 1906: The San Francisco Earthquake
- More Resources in History of Geology
References for Advanced Students
A compendium of handy lists, tools and photo galleries. Even the experts don't keep it all in their heads.
- The Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
- Identify the Rock-Forming Minerals
- Formulas of Rock-Forming Minerals
- Quick Rock Identification
- Phaneritic Igneous Rocks (QAP Diagram)
- Aphanitic Igneous Rocks (Alkali/Silica Graph)
- Extrusive Igneous Rock Pictures
- Sedimentary Rock Pictures
- Metamorphic Rock Pictures
- Pictures of Geologic Features & Processes
- Landform Pictures
- Landslide Types
- Unconformity Types
- Fault Types and Parameters
- Earthquake Focal Mechanism Diagrams
- Earthquake Intensity Scales
- Precambrian Time Divisions
- Paleozoic Ages
- Mesozoic Ages
- Periodic Table of the Elements
Fieldwork
Advice and information for amateur geologists, rock and mineral collectors or fossil hunters.
- Fitness
- Good Field Manners
- About Handheld Magnifiers
- Pick the Right Rock Hammer
- How to Read Geologic Maps
- Hazardous Plants
- The Acid Test for Carbonates
- Storing and Displaying Rocks
- Fieldwork in Southeastern Alaska
- A Field Trip Traversing California
- More Geologic Photo Tours
- Some Books Featuring Fieldwork
Geologic Travel
How to include geologic highlights in your next trip. For other relevant resources, see the "Geology of Your Area" section above.
- Types of Geotourism
- 5 Ways to a Deep Experience
- The Geoheritage Movement
- Geologic World Heritage Sites
- More Possibilities
Fun
The lighter side of geology and some unusual ways that daily life takes on geologic aspects.
