A person who specializes in the physical structure and processes of Earth is called a geologist. Geologists study rocks, minerals, landforms, fossils, and the forces that have shaped the planet over time.
The field of geology combines methods from chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and geography. A geologist might examine how tectonic plates move, how mountains form, why volcanoes erupt, or how sediment becomes rock. Many also investigate groundwater, mineral deposits, fossil fuels, soil, and natural hazards such as earthquakes and landslides.
Geology includes several specialties. Structural geologists study how rocks are folded, faulted, and deformed; mineralogists focus on minerals; paleontologists study ancient life preserved in fossils; and geophysicists use physical measurements to investigate Earth's interior. A common mix-up is calling every Earth scientist a geologist: meteorologists, oceanographers, and atmospheric scientists are related specialists, but their primary subjects differ.