Geoloist/Geology majors: What has inspired you to study rocks and stuff?

Question

=)

I asked because I am studying for a Geomorphology test and am so lost! Hehe


But then again, I suppose one could ask what possessed me to wanna study Psychology, eh?

Answer 1

I don't know how to explain why we go in different directions in life, but rocks and minerals were always an interest to me. I love the outdoors, and prospecting. Knowledge of both and enjoying what you do makes it nice in life.

Answer 2

If you don't grow it, it comes from the ground. You cannot escape geology, its all around you.

30 years ago I started out in Chemical Engineering - lasted a year. I was always facinated with road cuts, outcrops, formations, and fossils. Took some geology and really liked it.

Geology takes an active imagination. You have to see the "big picture" to understand what is going on around you. Although we map in 2-D, we have to think in 3-D.

Geologists still use simple tools; hammer, hand lens, scratch plate, 10% HCl, maps, notebook, and most importantly, an open and curious mind. Do you remember the first time you cracked open a rock and found the most fantastic fossil you had ever seen? And you are the first one to ever see it? The first time you drew a geologic map and said this will be over there - then you went to that outcrop and you were right?

I spent many years in the oil and gas industry, and doing coal exploration. Nothing like watching money come out of the ground where you said it would, (and sometimes it doesn't, bosses aren't very thrilled aout that).

I now do geologic research, GIS, and occasionally mapping. The industry has its ups and downs, but I would not trade my experiences for anything.

See if you can get a summer internship with the USGS or your local state geological survey. Volunteer at a Natural History Meusium, maybe working with their resident paleontologist.

Study hard and don't get behind. Just remember, glacial deposits are just dust on the furnature.

Answer 3

I have always had a passion for rocks and the understanding of how. Why are there hills and valleys shaped as they are and why did the river that once flowed north now flows in a different direction. I live in an area that was once heavy glaciated. It's amazing to discover the world around us. I, unfortunately, do not work in the field of geology, I work instead as an analytical chemist and the people that I work work with always ask why geology, I always tell them the same thing.... the whole world to a geologist is our lab. Nothing beats it... it's the fun science

Answer 4

Life is a rock and roll, so ...