Geology and Paleontology: Fun Facts and Resources

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What is geology?

Geology is the study of Earth’s physical history and the dynamics which shape it. It includes the minerals, rocks and land formations that Earth is comprised of, the life forms that have inhabited the planet and the changes that have occurred or are occurring to Earth.

Geology Resources

UC Davis Department of Geology
Journal of Geology

What is Paleontology?

Paleontology is the study of earlier life forms through fossil records. The fossils are studied to gather information about earlier ecosystems, how organisms originated and how some died out.

Paleontology Resources

More information about Paleontology
FLMNH Vertebrate Fossil Collections

How are Geology and Paleontology Similar?

Both geology and paleontology incorporate other sciences into their study. They use information from biology, ecology, chemistry and genetics, as well as the social sciences of anthropology and archaeology. The purpose of both geology and paleontology is to understand the history of Earth’s natural events and processes in order to better understand the planet. Scientists can use their findings to help people avoid building in hazardous areas, find valuable raw materials, understand climate change and unravel genetic mysteries.

There is overlap in the areas that geology and paleontology study so they share many similarities. What do geologists study? Geologists study processes of Earth such as earthquakes, volcanoes and floods. What do paleontologists study? Paleontologists also study these processes as they relate to fossils. For example a paleontologist studying dinosaur fossils will study how earthquakes affected them, how volcanoes altered their environment, and the impact floods had on their food supply. Paleontologists and geologists can use data and materials from each other to gain information. In order to find fossils, paleontologists can look through layers of rocks provided by a geologist. To identify change in fossils over time, paleontologists can study the history of fossils in geological records. Geologists can use information gathered about fossils to identify events in Earth’s history such as fossils encased in lava indicating a major volcanic occurrence or traits in fossils indicating a drought.

The Tools of Geologists and Peleontologists

Paleontologists and geologists use many of the same tools in their research. In 1896 the discovery of radioactivity led to radiometric dating techniques. Using these methods today, scientists are able to assign accurate dates to rock layers and fossils. Geologists and paleontologists both use electron microscopes, X-rays and CAT scanners to study objects in detail. Both fields require background knowledge in earth sciences such as geography and meteorology.

What is the History of Geology and Paleontology

The history of geology and paleontology show how the two sciences are intertwined. Discoveries in one were often marked with similar discoveries in the other. In 1664, the Danish scientist Nicolaus Steno came up with the idea of superposition. His concept was that the lowest layer of rock in a particular location was deposited first, making it the oldest. During this time naturalists, such as John Ray, started recognizing that fossils were the remains of once living organisms and started to actually study them.

It was not until the 1700s that the study of Earth and of fossils would gain a wider audience. In the “Age of Enlightenment”, Georges Cuvier, known as the father of paleontology, and William Smith, an expert of geology, mapped rock layers and showed how they correlated to layers in different regions based on the fossils inside of them. The geologist James Hutton generated the idea that rock layers were created gradually over time by erosion and matter being shifted.

Understanding fossils led scientists to believe that the Earth was older and had a more complicated history than had previously been thought. This influenced Charles Darwin and was the basis for his book “On the Origin of Species,” published in 1859. Darwin’s book challenged the idea of creationism and started the shift in the scientific community towards evolution. By the late 1800s, the fields of geology and paleontology existed as they are presently known. Fossils were being discovered and documented in a correct and consistent manner. A timeline was established with the major geological periods.

Geology and Paleontology Resources

University of California Museum of Paleontology
UCMP Glossary of Geology Terms

Resource by B.Matthews

I am a fun outgoing girl who loves to go to concerts and sit on the grass and read. My favorite books are those that make me think about life, love and how the world spins around no matter the troubles that you're going through.

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