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Geology Isn’t Rocks

Explore the modern science of geology, beyond rocks, revealing how it integrates various sciences to understand Earth and solve problems.

USGS geologist measuring the temperature of a fissure prior to the 2018 eruption at Kīlauea in Hawaii.Credit: USGS/HVO

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So, first off, I apologize for the clickbait headline, but don’t worry, there actually is a payoff here. What I’m going to say is 100% true. Geology isn’t just a pile of rocks, no matter what you might think. Sure, there are rocks involved … but “geo” doesn’t mean rocks. It means Earth, so when we talk about geology, we’re talking about the our planet — and our planet is more than rocks.

Don’t get me wrong. I love rocks. They’re tiny (and really huge) packets of history. They are time capsules left by our home planet for us to figure out. They are a greatest hits and deep dive into the discography of the solar system. Incomplete, sure, but captivating, intriguing, born long before us and existing well after we will.

What do I mean that geology isn’t rocks? I think we need to change how we all think ...

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