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
- Careers & Jobs
- Geology and the Arts
- History of Geology
- References for Advanced Students
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 of the World's Countries
- Earthquakes in Your Region
- Mountain Pictures from 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
- Picture Gallery of Earth Art
- 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 Great 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 the 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
Paleontology
The study of life in the geologic past from its fossil remains.
- About Fossils
- About Lagerstätten (Exceptional Sites)
- Categories of Prehistoric Life
- About Type Specimens
- More Resources
Fieldwork
Advice and information for amateur geologists, rock and mineral collectors or fossil hunters.
- Fitness
- Good Field Manners
- About Handheld Magnifiers
- Rock Hammers
- How to Read Geologic Maps
- Hazardous Plants
- The Acid Test for Carbonates
- Storing and Displaying Specimens
- Fieldwork in Southeastern Alaska
- A Field Trip Traversing California
- More Geologic Photo Tours
- Some Books Featuring Fieldwork
Geologic Travel
Ideas and topics on having your next trip include geologic highlights. For more relevant resources, see "Geology of Your Area."
- Types of Geotourism
- Five 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.
