StratigraphyStratigraphy is a branch of geology concerned with the study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification). It is primarily used in the study of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks. Stratigraphy has three related subfields: lithostratigraphy (lithologic stratigraphy), biostratigraphy (biologic stratigraphy), and chronostratigraphy (stratigraphy by age).
TectonicsTectonics (from Ancient Greektektonikós'pertaining to building' via Latin) are the processes that result in the structure and properties of Earth's crust and its evolution through time. The field of planetary tectonics extends the concept to other planets and moons.PaleomagnetismPaleomagnetism (occasionally palaeomagnetism) is the study of prehistoric Earth's magnetic fields recorded in rocks, sediment, or archeological materials. Geophysicists who specialize in paleomagnetism are called paleomagnetists.Certain magnetic minerals in rocks can record the direction and intensity of Earth's magnetic field at the time they formed. This record provides information on the past behavior of the geomagnetic field and the past location of tectonic plates.
EarthThird planet from the SunSurface equivalent doserate0.274 μSv/hAbsolute magnitude (H)−3.99AtmosphereSurface pressure101.325 kPa (at sea level)Composition by volume78.08% nitrogen (dry air)20.95% oxygen (dry air)≤1% water vapor (variable)0.9340% argon0.0430% carbon dioxide0.00182% neon0.00052% helium0.00017% methane0.00011% krypton0.00006% hydrogen Source:Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life.
LandscapeA landscape is the visible features of an area of land, its landforms, and how they integrate with natural or human-made features, often considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal.
Historical geographyCartographyComputer cartographyWeb mappingGeochronologyGeographic information systemDistributed GISInternet GISWeb GISGeologic modellingGeomathematicsGeostatisticsGeovisualizationGlobal Positioning SystemHydrographyMap algebraParticipant observationPhotogrammetryRemote SensingStatistical surveySurveyingLand change modelingEthnographyGeopoeticsInterview (research)Survey (human research)
LandformA landform is a land feature on the solid surface of the Earth or other planetary body. They may be natural or may be anthropogenic (caused or influenced by human activity). Landforms together make up a given terrain, and their arrangement in the landscape is known as topography.Petroleum geologyPetroleum geology is the study of the origins, occurrence, movement, accumulation, and exploration of hydrocarbon fuels. It refers to the specific set of geological disciplines that are applied to the search for hydrocarbons (oil exploration).
BiogeographyStudy of distribution of speciesFrontispiece to Alfred Russel Wallace's book The Geographical Distribution of AnimalsBiogeography is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and throughout geological time. Organisms and biological communities often vary in a regular fashion along geographic gradients of latitude, elevation, isolation and habitat area.
Sedimentary basinSedimentary basins are region-scale depressions of the Earth's crust where subsidence has occurred and a thick sequence of sediments have accumulated to form a large three-dimensional body of sedimentary rock. They form when long-term subsidence creates a regional depression that provides accommodation space for accumulation of sediments.
Depositional environmentIn geology, depositional environment or sedimentary environment describes the combination of physical, chemical, and biological processes associated with the deposition of a particular type of sediment and, therefore, the rock types that will be formed after lithification, if the sediment is preserved in the rock record. In most cases, the environments associated with particular rock types or associations of rock types can be matched to existing analogues.
GeomorphologyBadlands incised into shale at the foot of the North Caineville Plateau, Utah, within the pass carved by the Fremont River and known as the Blue Gate.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.