Dr Mansoor Ahmad Qazi
qazi.geologist@gmail.com
Geology is a science that studies the materials, natural features, and processes found on earth. It also studies the history of all life that’s ever lived – from the time of the dinosaurs till date. Geology is a branch of natural science concerned with the Earth and other astronomical bodies, the rocks of which they are composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Geology is the science that deals with the earth’s physical structure and substance, its history, and the processes that act on it. The word geology means ‘Study of the Earth’, also known as geoscience or earth science. It is the primary Earth science that looks at how the earth was formed, its structure and composition, and the types of processes acting on it. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Earth sciences, including hydrology. It is integrated with Earth system science and planetary science.
Geology describes the structure of the Earth on and beneath its surface and the processes that have shaped that structure. Geologists study the mineralogical composition of rocks in order to get insight into their history of formation. Geology determines the relative ages of rocks found at a given location; geochemistry (a branch of geology) determines their absolute ages. By combining various petrological, crystallographic, and paleontological tools, geologists are able to chronicle the geological history of the Earth as a whole. One aspect is to demonstrate the age of the Earth. Geology provides evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and the Earth’s past climates.
Geologists broadly study the properties and processes of Earth and other terrestrial planets. Geologists use a wide variety of methods to understand the Earth’s structure and evolution, including fieldwork, rock description, geophysical techniques, chemical analysis, physical experiments, and numerical modelling. In practical terms, geology is important for mineral and hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, evaluating water resources, understanding natural hazards, remediating environmental problems, and providing insights into past climate change. Geology is a major academic discipline, and it is central to geological engineering and plays an important role in geotechnical engineering.
Geologists use a number of fields, laboratory, and numerical modelling methods to decipher Earth history and to understand the processes that occur on and inside the Earth. In typical geological investigations, geologists use primary information related to petrology (the study of rocks), stratigraphy (the study of sedimentary layers), and structural geology (the study of positions of rock units and their deformation). There are different branches in Applied Geology like Economic Geology, Mining Geology, Petroleum Geology, Mining Geology, Engineering Geology, Paleoclimatology. Geologists and geophysicists study natural hazards in order to enact safe building codes and warning systems that are used to prevent loss of property and life. Examples of important natural hazards that are pertinent to geology are: Avalanches, Earthquakes, Floods, Landslides and debris flows, Mudflows, River channel migration and avulsion, Rockfalls, Sinkholes, Soil liquefaction, Subsidence, Tsunamis and Volcanoes. In many cases, geologists study modern soils, rivers, landscapes, and glaciers; investigate past and current life and biogeochemical pathways, and use geophysical methods to investigate the subsurface. Sub-specialities of geology may distinguish endogenous and exogenous geology.
Geologist Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday of April to honour contributions of geologists, geophysicists, and geochemists to our understanding of Earth’s history, structure, and resources. . Established in 1966 by Soviet geologists, the date marks the beginning of spring field season preparations. It celebrates the study of Earth’s materials, mineral exploration, and the essential work of understanding Earth’s processes. The holiday was established in 1966 by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet to commemorate the discovery of petroleum in West Siberia. The timing marks the end of winter and the transition into the summer season, when geologists typically ramp up for field work and expeditions. While it started in the former Soviet Union, the tradition has spread globally and is now recognized by geological organizations and professionals worldwide.
In District Kishtwar, several hydroelectric power projects are in the construction stage and few of them are likely to be commissioned in the coming years. In these power projects several well qualified and experienced Geologists/ Geoscientists/ Geophysicists are working in different Power Projects like: Pakkal Dul H E Project (1000MW), Kiru H E Project (624MW), Kwar H E Project (540MW), Rattle H E Project (850MW) and on 5th of April, 2026 all jointly celebrated the Geologists Day with enthusiasm and spirit. In the field the geologists are well equipped with their tools to tackle/monitor the day to day activities in different components like Dam, Powerhouse, Head Race Tunnels (HRT), Tail Race Tunnels (TRT), and Slope Protection Works.
The geology and of course GEOLOGISTS plays an important role in our everyday lives in many fields like:
Energy: Different types of energy are impacted by Geology. Fossil fuels have been created over the course of hundreds and thousands or even millions of years as the product of geological forces. Decomposing organic matter trapped beneath sediment and rock is transformed into carbon-rich oil and gas over many millennia. Geologists also play an important role in the advancement of alternative energies by studying and searching for minerals to be used in batteries and solar panels, finding and harnessing geothermal, tidal and hydroelectric power, and more.
Food and Drink: Everything you consume originates from the soil. Even meat products derived from animals have to be fed from plants and other organisms that are in turn fed by minerals that come from the Earth. Therefore, the geological studies of soil erosion and soil health, plus identifying, predicting and accessing sources of water for irrigation are all integral to our ability to feed ourselves now and into the future. Geologists also help find sources of minerals that are used to fertilize our agricultural products and increase outputs.
Potable Water: Nothing is more imperative to our ability to survive than the availability of drinkable water. Our water comes from lakes, rivers and underground aquifers that can easily become contaminated if not monitored and protected. Geologists perform essential work mapping out the configuration of bodies of water both above and underground and identifying potential sources of pollution and contamination that would affect our ability to drink it, swim in it and bathe with it.
Public Safety: Our ability to survive natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, floods and volcanic eruptions is enormously influenced by our ability to predict their occurrence as much as possible, as well as plan and engineer structures to mitigate their impact. Geologists play an integral role in studying seismic activity, weather patterns and tectonic movements to assist in preparing for potential adverse events. They also assist in engineering structures to withstand flooding, earthquakes and more. Any time you drive anywhere, you can also thank a geologist for ensuring that the bridges and roads have been safely designed with the stability of the underlying sediments and rock in mind. The next time you are in a skyscraper, you can also marvel at the geologic engineering that ensured such a structure had a properly stable foundation to support itself.
Using Your Phone: These days, precious minerals like gold, silver and platinum are used for so much more than jewellery and coins. Our modern world has an insatiable appetite for cell phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, music players and other electronics. All these tools require a variety of metals and minerals like lithium, copper, silicon, zinc, aluminum and many more to perform the amazing functions we take for granted. These applications are really just the tip of the iceberg. The study of geology truly touches our lives every single day whether we are aware of it or not. So be sure to thank a geologist today!
(The author is a Senior Geologist/Geoscientist in Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited and presently posted at Kishtwar)
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