Engineering Geology
Introduction to Geology
Geology (from the Ancient Greek γῆ, gē ("earth") and -λoγία, -logia, ("study of", "discourse") is an earth science concerned with the solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Geology can also include the study of the solid features of any terrestrial planet or natural satellite such as Mars or the Moon. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other earth sciences, including hydrology and the atmospheric sciences, and so is treated as one major aspect of integrated earth system science and planetary science.
Geology describes the structure of the Earth on and beneath its surface, and the processes that have shaped that structure. It also provides tools to determine the relative and absolute ages of rocks found in a given location, and also to describe the histories of those rocks.[3] By combining these tools, geologists are able to chronicle the geological history of the Earth as a whole, and also to demonstrate the age of the Earth. Geology provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and the Earth's past climates.
Geologists use a wide variety of methods to understand the Earth's structure and evolution, including field work, rock description, geophysical techniques, chemical analysis, physical experiments, and numerical modelling. In practical terms, geology is important for mineral and hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, evaluating water resources, understanding of natural hazards, the remediation of environmental problems, and providing insights into past climate change. Geology is a major academic discipline, and it plays an important role in geotechnical engineering.
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| An 1875 geological map of Europe, compiled by the Belgian geologist André Dumont (colors indicate the distribution of rocks of different ages and types across the continent, as they were known then) |
Geology and Engineering
As a matter of fact, the progress in a certain branch of science enriches the other branches of the bordering sciences. Similarly, with the passage of time, the concepts of Geology, aided by other branches of physical sciences, started contributing and proved beneficial to Engineering regarding the problems arising from the conditions near the earth's surface.
Today the knowledge of Geology has become an essential feature for a Civil Engineer, and in this connection certain aspects of Geology have become of much importance to an engineer. Compilation of all such aspects has given birth to Engineering Geology. Thus Engineering Geology, as the name indicates, is that branch of earth science or Geology which is of a particular interest for an engineer. It may be noted that its complete knowledge is essential in planning and carrying out various engineering projects safely and successfully.