Geologists will explore specific areas of the earth to determine its structure and the types of rocks or minerals that are present and study rock cores, cuttings and samples. They will study geostatistics and sampling theory and fossilised life forms and date rock strata and also the nature and effects of natural events such as erosion, sedimentation, glaciation, earthquakes and volcanic hazards. They will locate and manage groundwater resources, investigate groundwater contamination and land salinity. They will undertake geochemical sampling of stream sediment and soils and also undertake ground or airborne magnetic, gravity and other geophysical surveys. They will be in charge to examine geological specimens in laboratories using optical and electron microscopes, X-ray diffraction and other electronic, chemical and mechanical techniques and will advise on determining the economic viability of extracting earth resources and also on the geological suitability of sites for structures such as tunnels, roads, coastal installations, bridges and water supply schemes. They will contribute information about land use, planning and rehabilitation, and the effects of pollution on seabeds to environmental assessments and will use computers to integrate and interpret data sets of geological information and will prepare geological models to describe processes and predict future situations.
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Avg Salary
Australia  $93,682 AUD
United Kingdom  £68,000 GBP
United States of America  $64,842 USD
New Zealand  $64,562 NZD
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