Do geologists study soil or the earth’s crust? The two are closely related and the answers to this question depend on what type of geologist you ask.
Earth scientists spend their lives studying the earth’s crust and soil. While they don’t directly analyze the soil, they do know the composition of the soil. They also know about the history of the earth and the soil. They know how the earthworks, including its chemical composition and structure. Read this article about how to start studying Geology.
The best way to describe the types of geologists is to say that some specialize in the soil while others specialize in the earth. One who specializes in the earth is one who researches farmers and urban planners. Their research may be focused on soil erosion, groundwater quality, erosion of rocks, soil erosion due to soil compaction, soil erosion caused by saltwater, soil erosion due to acid rain, and soil erosion due to heavy precipitation. Some people do not do any research but are primarily concerned with a specific problem.
Some geologists have a Ph.D. or masters in earth science. Their education may focus on soil erosion or soil compaction. They may even do soil testing to see where a certain type of plant needs to be planted. Some other types of geologists may study the topography of a certain area. They may look at where the soil meets the earth, which can be a major determining factor in how good the soil is for plants or not. If a scientist wants to study the topography of a certain area, they will take soil samples and make a report on them.
Some of the types of geologists who study soil include farmers who want to know where their food is coming from, urban planners who want to know where they can put their parks and playgrounds, and urban geologists who want to know how to build water treatment plants near an aquifer. A farmer who needs to know where their food is coming from will use a farm geologist who is trained in soil, water, and climate to tell them about the soil in their area. This scientist will analyze the soil and find out whether the land is suitable for growing crops.
Some people who study the soil are concerned with the quality of the soil. They may need to dig up some soil and look at it and then tell the public where the soil is good and where the soil is poor. Other types of geologists study how to improve the soil by making sure that the soil has enough nutrients in it and the soil is healthy and rich in nutrients. A person who does soil testing will look at the soil and determine what the nutrients are.