| Geology is a field of science that examines the | | | | manufacturing cutting blades and other products. |
| physical components of the earth’s surface and | | | | #4 – Impacts Our Safety |
| how they change and evolve over time. While most | | | | Geological concepts greatly impact our safety on a |
| people do not think much about geology, it is a subject | | | | daily basis. Many hazards that humans face are |
| that impacts everyday life in major ways. Geology not | | | | caused by geological forces and processes. |
| only produces the fuels that we used everyday, but it | | | | Earthquakes, for example, are produced by shifts in |
| also creates the foundation on which we live our lives. | | | | the earth’s tectonic plates. Other hazards that are |
| #1 – Solid Ground | | | | influenced by geology include landslides, floods and |
| Geology impacts how solid the earth beneath our feet | | | | volcanic eruptions. An understanding of these principles |
| is. While the ground that we walk on, build on and | | | | is necessary to mitigate dangers and to keep |
| travel over seems solid, it is actually floating on top of | | | | communities safe. |
| a core of molten iron and magma. The stability of the | | | | #5 – Building Sites |
| earth under our feet impacts the ability of humans to | | | | The type of rocks and soils that are present impact |
| build structures and infrastructures. | | | | how the land can be used. In order to build a large |
| #2 – Produces Fuels | | | | development the developers need to find a location |
| Geological processes produce fuels that we use | | | | that will be stable enough to support such a structure. |
| everyday to drive and operate our homes and | | | | If the conditions are not naturally available, then the |
| businesses. Fossil fuels, for example, are produced by | | | | developer will need to design artificial stabilizers which |
| applying extreme pressure and heat to organic | | | | add to the cost of the product. |
| materials that have been buried by sediments. These | | | | #6 – Basis of the World’s Economy |
| conditions are maintained over millions of years before | | | | Gold is the basis of the world’s economy. It is |
| the fuels are ready to be used by humans. | | | | mined, smelted, molded and traded around the globe. It |
| #3 – Produces Gems | | | | is customary for governments to hold enough gold in |
| Gemstones are also produced by geological | | | | their treasuries to match the amount of paper money |
| processes. Gemstones are used primarily for | | | | and coinage that they produce. When these ratios are |
| decoration, but they also play a role in our economy. | | | | out of balance then the value of the paper money and |
| Gemstones are very valuable and used as | | | | coinage is decreased in the global market. |
| investments and as a raw material for many trades | | | | Conclusion |
| including jewelry manufacturing industries. | | | | Geology is a critical part of everyday life. It impacts the |
| Diamonds in particular are extremely valuable because | | | | materials that we have available to work with, the |
| of their strength and their beauty. Natural diamonds | | | | amount of energy we can use and the safety of our |
| tend to be used as decorative objects that have a | | | | communities. It is because of all of these factors that it |
| high wholesale and retail value. Manmade diamonds | | | | is important to learn about geology. |
| are much smaller and are generally used for | | | | |