Geology

Geology is the scientific study of rocks, minerals, and the Earth itself. It’s a subject that has a lot of layers, and we’re not just talking about sedimentary rocks. Geology peels back the Earth’s surface to reveal a world that’s filled with intrigue, mystery, and lots of really old stuff.

History

Believe it or not, geology dates back to ancient times when people were convinced that the Earth was flat. But the science of geology really started to take shape in the 19th century when people finally got around to noticing that rocks aren’t actually growing out of the ground.

The Layers of the Earth

If you were to slice the Earth like a delicious cake, you’d see all sorts of colorful layers. There’s the crust at the very top, which is basically a thin layer of Earth. This is where we live, and it’s where trees grow, and birds fly around doing bird things.

Below the crust is the mantle, which is kind of like a giant lava lamp. It’s always moving and bubbling and generally being all sorts of weird. Next is the outer core, which is made of liquid metal and probably where all the good riffs for heavy metal songs come from. Finally, at the very center of the Earth is the inner core, which is solid and about as big as the moon. If you were to ever dig a hole to the center of the Earth, you’d probably burn up or get squished or something. So, maybe don’t try that.

Fun Facts

Did you know that the tallest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest, is actually getting taller? Every year, the mountain grows by about 4 millimeters. That might not sound like a lot, but in geologic terms that’s like a growth spurt.

Also, did you know that some rocks are actually alive? Kind of. There are certain types of rocks that are made up of bacteria and other microscopic critters. They might not be able to play video games or eat pizza, but we think they’re pretty cool anyway.

Conclusion

Geology might seem like a dry subject, but it’s actually pretty fascinating once you start digging into it (sorry not sorry for the pun). So go ahead, crack open a geology book, and prepare to have your mind blown.