I.

Introduction
1.1 Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth which is coined after the Greek words geo means Earth and
logy means study of. Geology studies about the materials and composition of the Earth, its features and
structures, as well as the processes that act upon them. Geology also tackles about the history of all
lifeforms that lived on and living on Earth now. Studying geology is important to trace how life on Earth
had changed from the beginning until now (Schulte, n.d.).

1.2 Branches of Geology

Geology is divided in two several branches but they can be group into two major divisions: Physical
Geology and Historical Geology.

Physical geology deals with the Earths rocks, minerals and soils. It studies the change of these
materials over time including internal processes such as moving of tectonic plates, mountain-building and
released of internal heat and energy which causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. External processes
such as glaciation, running water, weather and erosion has also formed the landscapes we see today
(www.cliffsnotes.com, n.d.). Physical geology includes the following:

1. Mineralogy study of chemical composition and structures of minerals

2. Petrology study of composition and origin of rocks
3. Geomorphology study of origin lifeforms and their modification by dynamic processes
4. Geochemistry the study of the chemical composition of the earth materials and its chemical
changes that occur within the Earth and its surface.
5. Geophysics the study of the behavior of rock materials in responses to stresses and according
to the principles of physics.
6. Sedimentology science of erosion and deposition of rock particles by wind, water or ice
7. Structural geology study of the forces that deform the Earths rocks and the description of the
mapping of deformed rock bodies
8. Economic geology study the exploration and recovery of natural resources such as petroleum
and ores
9. Engineering geology study of the interactions of the Earths crust with human-made structures
such as tunnels, mines, dams, bridges and building foundations.

Historical geology deals with the historical changes of the Earth and its lifeforms over time based
on its rocks. They are analyzed to determine the changes in its structure, formation, composition and
interrelationships with other materials to determine the remains of past life. It also gives an important
information about the Earths ancient climates, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that can be used to
predict the sizes and frequencies of these events in the future. Historical geology have sub-disciplines such
as:

1. Paleontology study of past lifeforms.

2. Stratigraphy study of layered rocks and their interrelationships
3. Paleogeography locations of ancient land masses and their boundaries
4. Geologic mapping superimposing of geologic information upon existing topographic maps
1.3 Uniformitarianism and Catastrophism

Geology has been an interest in humans as far as 400 B.C. when Aristotle made an observation
about the Earth. He formulated a theory that the Earth has been changing at a slow rate that a persons
lifetime is not enough to observe it. This was the first geological concept regarding the rate of Earths
physical change. However, his successor, Theospratus, made the greatest progress in his time by noting
the difference between rocks and minerals.