Geophysics
- Studies the physical properties of the Earth, such as its composition, structure, and dynamics.
- Includes fields such as seismology, geodesy, and magnetotellurics.
Geochemistry
- Studies the chemical composition of the Earth, including its atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
- Includes fields such as igneous and metamorphic petrology, geochemistry of water, and geomicrobiology.
Paleontology
- Studies the history of life on Earth through the fossil record.
- Includes fields such as invertebrate paleontology, vertebrate paleontology, and micropaleontology.
Structural Geology
- Studies the deformation of the Earth's crust and mantle.
- Includes fields such as tectonics, fault analysis, and strain analysis.
Stratigraphy
- Studies the layering of Earth's rocks and their fossil content.
- Includes fields such as lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and sequence stratigraphy.
Hydrogeology
- Studies the occurrence, distribution, and movement of groundwater.
- Includes fields such as groundwater flow modeling, contaminant hydrology, and aquifer remediation.
Engineering Geology
- Applies geological knowledge to solve engineering problems, such as the design of dams, tunnels, and highways.
- Includes fields such as geotechnical engineering, rock mechanics, and environmental geology.
Planetary Geology
- Studies the geology of other planets and moons in our solar system.
- Includes fields such as volcanology, tectonics, and astrobiology.
Other Branches
- Environmental Geology: Focuses on the interactions between geology and environmental issues, such as climate change and pollution.
- Geomorphology: Studies the landforms of the Earth and the processes that shape them.
- Mineralogy: Studies the chemical composition, crystal structure, and properties of minerals.
- Petrology: Studies the origin, occurrence, and composition of rocks.