University of Calgary
GEOSCIENCE
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Submitted by support on Tue, 04/06/2010 - 08:49.
What is Geoscience?
Geoscience encompasses all aspects of the solid Earth and its interactions with the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Geologists are interested in processes on and within the earth, interpreting the history of the Earth and the distribution of mineral and energy resources. Geophysicists study the physics of processes within the Earth and the development and use of physical methods to solve geoscientific problems. Hydrogeologists focus on the flow of fluids and chemical compounds, such as contaminants, beneath the ground surface, and their interactions with surrounding rock and soil.
The expertise of geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists is required by government and private agencies concerned with agriculture and forestry, water supply and hydro-electric power, civil engineering, waste disposal and contaminated site remediation, and conservation of natural resources.
Hot off the Press...
Earth's massive extinction: the story gets worse
Scientists have uncovered a lot about the Earth’s greatest extinction event that took place 250 million years ago when rapid climate change wiped out nearly all marine species and a majority of those on land. Now, they have discovered a new culprit likely involved in the annihilation: an influx of mercury into the eco-system.
“No one had ever looked to see if mercury was a potential culprit. This was a time of the greatest volcanic activity in Earth’s history and we know today that the largest source of mercury comes from volcanic eruptions,” says Steve Grasby, adjunct professor, research scientist at Natural Resources Canada and co-author of a paper published in the journal Geology. “We estimate that the mercury released then could have been up to 30 times greater than today’s volcanic activity, making the event truly catastrophic.” Read more.....
Mission Statement
"To be an internationally recognized top-tier research department in Energy Geoscience, with complementary strengths in solid Earth processes, subsurface imaging, environmental and arctic studies, while providing comprehensive student-centred programs recognized for excellence world-wide. "
