Hi All. I got to thinking the other day about the various Earth sciences and what their jobs must be like. I chose the three basis ones. Geology, Volcanology and Seismology.

A geologist is a contributor to the science of geology. Geologists study the physical structure and processes of the Earth. Their undergraduate training typically includes significant coursework in chemistry, physics, mathematics and possibly biology, in addition to classes offered through the geology department; volcanology, hydrology, and rock and mineral formation are among the many areas of study. Most geologists also need skills in GIS and other mapping techniques. Geology students may spend summers living and working under field conditions with faculty members. Geology courses are also highly valuable to students of geography, engineering, chemistry, urban planning, archaeology, environmental studies, and other fields.

Volcanology (also spelled vulcanology) is the study of volcanoes, lava, magma and related geological phenomena. A volcanologist (also spelled vulcanologist) is a person who studies in this field.

Volcanologists frequently visit volcanoes, especially active ones, to observe volcanic eruptions, collect rock and lava samples. One major focus of enquiry is the prediction of eruptions; there is currently no accurate way to do this, but predicting eruptions, like predicting earthquakes, could save a lot of lives.

Being a volcanologist is one of the most dangerous scientific professions there is, because sudden eruptions can occur during the study of active volcanoes.

Seismology (from the Greek seismos = earthquake and logos = word) is the scientific study of earthquakes and the movement of waves through the Earth. The field also includes studies of variants such as seaquakes, causes such as volcanoes and plate tectonics in general, and consequential phenomena such as tsunami.

Earthquakes (and other earth movements) produce different types of seismic waves. These waves travel through rock, and provide an effective way to "see" events and structures deep in the Earth.

One of the earliest important discoveries was that the outer core of the Earth is liquid. Pressure waves pass through the core. Transverse or shear waves that shake side-to-side require rigid material so they do not pass through the core.

The process of mapping subsurface features is a specialty called seismography. Seismic waves produced by explosions have been used to map salt domes and other oil-bearing rocks, faults (cracks in deep rock), rock types, and long-buried giant meteor craters. For example, the Chicxulub impactor, which is believed to have killed the dinosaurs, was localized to Central America by analyzing ejecta in the cretaceous boundary, and then physically proven to exist using seismic maps from oil exploration.

Using seismic tomography with earthquake waves, the interior of the Earth has been completely mapped to a resolution of several hundred kilometers. This process has enabled scientists to identify convection cells, magma plumes and other large features of the inner Earth.

Looking at the profession of these people of science never ceases to amaze me, but it seem to me that the most frustrating of those professions has to be seismology. The geologist can go out and collect his rocks to study.

A volcanologist can go a volcano that is showing signs that it may be about ready to erupt.

A seismologist has nothing he can point to that says a major quake is going to occur on such and such day at such and such location. He is almost never there when the big one happens. All he ever learns about the earthquake is after it occurs.

The next major quake in the San Francisco Bay Area started the instance the last one ended. Each day further from the last one brings us one day closer to the next one. The next major quake anywhere started the instance the last one occurred. Each second, each minute, each hour, each day that passes brings us that much closer to the next one.

Are we prepared? No! Not only that but Hell no. Being prepared for the next major quake may not save your life, but it will sure give you a better chance. Don in creepy town