Common Geology Interview Preparation Guide

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A solid mass such as a mineral, determined by its atomic structure. A single crystal growing without interference has flat faces and such crystals are highly valued. Others crystals growing with interference, such as crystals of quartz found in granite, will not have perfect form/flat faces.

For instance, if you are thinking - I have a strong interest in physics/chemistry - can I combine such disciplines with geology and still be able to find employment as a geologist?
Geology is a broad field and allows for combining different disciplines - such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology with geology. In fact one of the main reasons students are drawn to geology is because they can easily merge their interests in most scientific fields with geology - an approach that is well-suited for solving environmental problems as the study of the Earth also involves understanding its physics, chemistry and biology!

Mineral which may fill or comprise a crack in a rock, or masses of rock which occupy fissures in other rocks. Veins may have originated in many different ways and can present a great variety of forms and structures. They are often classified in three groups:
(i.) veins of igneous rock,
(ii.) of sedimentary, and
(iii.) of minerals deposited by water or by gases.

Engineering geologists apply geological data, techniques, and principles to the study of rock and soil surficial materials and groundwater; they investigate geologic factors that affect structures such as bridges, buildings, dams and airports.

Sustainable development is the development of industry and natural resources in such a way as not to damage the ability of future generations to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, products, etc.

Paleontologists study fossils to understand past life forms and their changes through time and to reconstruct past environments.

Environmental geologists study the interaction between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and human activities. They work to solve problems associated with pollution, waste management, urbanization, and natural hazards, such as flooding and erosion.

A group of minerals and rocks, largely non-metallic, that are of economic value (e.g., gravel, sand, clay, potash, building stone).

Petrologists determine the origin and natural history of rocks by analyzing mineral composition and grain relationships.

Marine geologists investigate the ocean-floor and ocean-continent boundaries; they study ocean basins, continental shelves and coastal environments.

Manitoba minerals and petroleum represent the province's 2nd largest primary resource industry and the sector is a key contributor to Manitoba's ongoing economic growth. In 2012, the combined value of mineral production for metals ($1.325 billion), industrial minerals ($187.5 million) and petroleum ($1.62 billion) totalled about $3.13 billion. The industries employ an average of 5,700 workers directly, with many more in indirect jobs and generating millions of dollars in spin-off business.

A mining term referring to the product of a smelter (metal with some contained sulphur) which must be further refined to obtain the pure metal.

Mineralogists study mineral formation, composition, uses and physical and chemical means for identifying them.

A complex mixture of chemicals, containing both oil and gas, made up of the elements hydrogen and carbon (combined as chemical compounds called hydrocarbons).

‘Hard’ rock geology focuses mainly on igneous and metamorphic rocks. Hard rock geologists work mostly with mineral deposits, mine development and bedrock mapping. Soft rock geology deals with sedimentary rocks where ‘sediment’ was formed through long exposure to the elements or glaciers. Soft rock geologists quite often work in the petroleum industry.

A stage in the formation of sedimentary rock that occurs when sediments are pressed together by the weight of overlaying layers.

Seismologists study earthquakes and analyze the behavior of earthquake waves to interpret the structure of the Earth.

The study of Earth and all of its materials both above and below the Earth’s surface.

Manitoba’s 650 000 km2 is underlain entirely by rocks of Precambrian age and sedimentary rocks deposited during the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras.

Hydrogeologists study the occurrence, movement, abundance, distribution, and quality of subsurface waters and related geologic aspects of surface waters.

Rock that has been altered by heat, pressure, or hot molten rock (such as magma) from the Earth's interior.

Rock formed during the compression and cementation staged of loose sediments (e.g. sandstone) or by deposition from a solution (e.g. salt).

In mining, the treatment of ore by heat and air, or oxygen-enriched air, in order to remove sulphur and arsenic.

Substances, typically metals and metallic minerals, which allow heat and electricity to pass through them easily.

Planetary geologists study planets and their moons in order to understand the evolution of the solar system.