WHAT IS GEOLOGY?

Hells Canyon and Snake River.

The Earth is a fascinating planet, with many incredible features. There are deserts and rainforests, mountains and canyons, and volcanoes and grasslands. How can all these very different features exist on one planet? The study of geology helps us answer this question and more.

Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica.

Geologist studying rocks at a dig site.

Geology is the study of the solid matter that makes up the Earth. It includes studying the types of rocks the Earth is made of. Geologists, the scientists who specialize in geology, study many things. They look at how the Earth was formed. They examine how the Earth continues to change over time. Geologists even study rocks to find out what the Earth was like millions of years ago.