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It is the natural science that studies both the internal and superficial composition and structure of
planet Earth, and the processes by which it has evolved throughout geological time.
It offers essential testimonies to understand plate tectonics, the history of life through paleontology,
and how it evolved, in addition to past climates. At present, geology is of fundamental importance
in the exploration of mineral deposits (mining) and hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas), and the
the prevention and understanding of natural phenomena such as mass removal in general,
It provides key knowledge in solving environmental pollution problems, and provides information
on past climate changes. It also plays an important role in geotechnics and civil engineering.
Geology includes branches such as geophysics, tectonics, structural geology, stratigraphy, historical
As a science of the Earth, it shares a common trunk with many disciplines that have been managed
from it, or shared field, such as paleontology, volcanology, seismology or geomorphology and
therefore, part of its history is common with those and some branches more of science
transformations that the Earth has undergone since its formation, some
4570 million years ago, to the present. This number of changes has been
part of the natural sciences, it has its own body of doctrine and
shares fundamentals and methods with the geology and biology with
Physical Geology: Study the materials that make up the earth and seek to
understand the different processes that act below and above the earth's
surface logically precedes the study of the history of the Earth, because,
before trying to reveal its past, we must first understand how the Earth
works.
1. NUCLEO: It is the central part of the earth formed by metals, mainly iron and
kilometers. It constitutes most of the volume of the Earth (more than 80%) and
slightly less than 70% of its total mass. It is mainly composed of magnesium
made up of viscous material, susceptible to deformation much more easily and that
4. THE LITHOSPHERE: it is the outer layer of the Earth and is formed by solid
materials, it includes the continental crust, between 20 and 70 km. thick, and the
ranges.
6. THE LAND BARK: It is divided into irregular portions called plates that move
on the surface of the mantle. Their movements give rise to migration or drift from
the continents.
compounds and numerous materials, adopt crystalline structures when favorable conditions
have occurred. Crystallography includes the study of the growth and geometry of these
crystals, the structure of the constituent particles of the crystal, and their chemical
composition. Structure studies rely heavily on the analysis of diffraction patterns that arise
THE SEDIMENTOGEOLOGY: Study the deposits that are formed on the surface of
the earth and at the bottom of the sea since parts of them depend on the physical and
chemical actions present in the transition of the rock - atmosphere, or rock - water these
Objectives of sedimentology:
The economic interest, especially salt, coal, gravels, sand and countless metal deposits with
sedimentary origin
Geotechnics - especially soil stability is today an extremely important field in the face of
Geological risks are frequently associated with sedimentary processes. Floods and erosion
Groundwater: The behavior of groundwater layers coincides mainly with some sediment
logical parameters. Today, not only does abundance matter, but also the quality of that
natural resource.
Geomorphology: It focuses on the study of the shapes of the relief, but
topography)
natural risks.
glaciology.
related to geology.
Geophysics: study the Earth from the point of view of physics. Its object
etc.) and in others they are induced by man (electric fields and seismic
phenomena)
earth's crust, which the rocks acquire after they have formed, as well as
1. Original structures: They are the structures that are formed at the same time as the rock,
by the same petrogenetic processes that form the rocks. For example, in sedimentary rocks
forces (forces) on pre-existing rock formations. The corresponding deformations alter the
previous arrangement of the materials, which could in turn be an original type structure or
Mineralogy: studies the physical and chemical properties of the minerals found on the
origin, which has a defined chemical composition. Minerals provide the human being with
Mineralogenesis: studies the conditions of mineral formation, how the deposits in nature
describing the species present and also the cultural and historical events associated with
fumaroles, volcanic eruptions, magmas, lavas, tephras, etc. A major research path is the
forecasting volcanic eruptions, as well as predicting earthquakes, can save many lives.
The main objective of this science is to understand the origin and functioning of volcanoes
and assimilated phenomena to establish a diagnosis (for a defined period) on the risks and
dangers incurred by populations and human activities. The studies and investigations are
initially carried out in the field to collect information in the form of observations,
measurements and samples and, for the second time, in the laboratory to analyze and
stones or gems, the central task of this branch is to make available rigorous methods and
procedures that allow to distinguish natural gems from their imitations and synthetic
versions.
There are different instruments and devices whose physical properties are:
*beauty
*Durability
* Classic Gemology
Seismology: It is responsible for the study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic
(seismic) waves that are generated in the interior and the surface of the Earth, as well as
tectonic plates. Studying the propagation of seismic waves includes the determination of
the hypocenter (or focus), the location of the earthquake and how long it lasted. A
phenomenon that is also of interest is the process of breaking rocks, since this is the cause
The study of the propagation of seismic waves through the interior of the Earth in
The P and L waves: They are the producers of Tsunamis) propagate across the globe,
The S waves: Transverse to the direction in which they propagate, are only
within the natural sciences, has its own body of doctrine and shares fundamentals and
methods with the geology and biology with which it integrates closely. It allows us to
understand the current composition (biodiversity) and distribution of living beings on Earth
the solution of two of the greatest scientific controversies of the last century, the evolution
of living beings and the drift of the continents, and, in the face of our future, it offers tools
for the analysis of how climatic changes can affect the entire biosphere.
Paleontological principles:
Biological actualism: beings from the past were governed by the same physical and
biological laws, and had the same needs as the current ones. It allows this principle,
for example, to affirm that the Silurian fish had gills, because the current fish have
them (although they are not the same); and that dinosaurs laid eggs, such as
crocodiles, which has subsequently been corroborated by finding egg fossils, and
Compared anatomy: It allows placing extinct organisms in their proper place in the
general picture of living beings, thus obtaining the point of necessary reference to be
able to apply the principle of organic correlation. Although fossils only provide us
with a small anatomical part of an extinct taxon, the comparative anatomy allows us
them.
set whose parts complement each other, determining all others and therefore can be
necessary. You will undoubtedly learn more geology in the field and in practice than what you can
teach in classrooms or in a school's laboratory. But this learning will be easier and faster and its
application more effective, if the basic principles of geology have been included in its engineering
courses. Some specific advantages that some of them will develop with more pause through work
This science is of great importance in civil engineering since it is responsible for the study of rocks,
soils and other materials of nature and that are used for the construction of any magnitude and this
is resistant.
Soil mechanics: In engineering, soil mechanics is the application of the laws of physics
and natural sciences to the problems that involve the charges imposed on the surface layer
It is responsible for studying the forces or loads that are established on the earth's surface
and their behavior to determine the material applied and the soil used in the landfill.
Soil mechanics studies the behavior and physical properties of the soil when external
The importance of Soil Mechanics studies lies in the fact that if the limits of the resistant
capacity of the soil are exceeded or if, even without reaching them, the deformations are
considerable, secondary stresses can occur in the structural members , perhaps not taken
into consideration in the design, producing in turn important deformations, cracks, cracks,
warping or collapses that can produce, in extreme cases, the collapse of the work or its
Types of soils:
* Sandy soils: They do not retain water, have very little organic matter and are
* Limestone soils: They have an abundance of calcareous salts, are white, dry
* Silty soils: retain water for longer, as well as nutrients. Its color is dark brown,
decomposition, dark in color, retain water well and are excellent for cultivation.
* Clay soils: They are formed by fine grains of yellowish color and retain water
forming puddles. If they are mixed with humus, which is the substance composed
* Stony soils: Formed by rocks of all sizes, they do not retain water and are not
* Saline soils: accumulate soluble salts in the root zone. They are usually
recognized by the cultivation of weak and stunted plants and by the presence of
Rock mechanics:
Rock mechanics is responsible for the theoretical and practical study of the properties
and mechanical behavior or rock materials, and their response to the action of forces
materials the performance of internal and external forces that are exerted on them.
Rock Mechanics is responsible for the theoretical and practical study of the properties
and mechanical behavior of rock materials, and their response to the action of forces
The purpose of Rock Mechanics is to know and predict the behavior of rock materials
1) When the rocky material constitutes the structure (excavations of tunnels, slopes, etc.).
2) When the rock is the support of other structures (building foundations, dams, etc.).
3) When rocks are used as building material (embankments, gabions, fillings, etc.).
observation of the natural vibrations of the terrain and of the seismic signals generated
seismology has made essential contributions to the understanding of plate tectonics, the
structure of the Earth's interior, earthquake prediction and is a valuable technique in the
1) The investigation of the causes and modalities of the seismic phenomena oriented
towards their possible forecast and control in order to limit the serious damages and the
HYDROLOGY: Hydrology is the science that studies water and its manifestations in the
atmosphere, above and below the earth's surface, also studies its properties and its natural
interrelations
The use of Hydrology in Civil Engineering is essential for the planning, design and
It is accepted that hydraulic engineering is the branch of civil engineering that deals with
the planning, design and construction of hydraulic works, with the understanding that it is
these that will fulfill the function of capturing, regulating and protecting us from water.
HYDROLOGY- IN HYDRAULIC WORKS:
• Wells of uptake: They are made to extract groundwater. The wells are
large diameters (more than one meter) and shallow (rarely reach 10 and
12 meters). The wells are covered with hollow brick or concrete rings
energy.
• Dam foundation: In engineering, a barrier made of stone, concrete or
rivers, either for the adaptation to the system of use of water resources,
accessible to make a study of the soil of the land that will be used for these
works. Now we will see some examples where geology is applied in civil
engineering
excavations is the drilling of ports for the access of tunnel works, the
of mines.
bridge and the loads it supports must rest on the support ground.
• The airfields: they are modern they have to be very large areas and quite