Geology studies both ancient and modern environments. Based on research, geology plays a significant role in helping geologists identify and mitigate various natural hazards, including coastal erosion, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and flooding. Most geologists use past climate change to predict future scenarios. Components of the earth that incorporate processes acting upon it and its structure are essential elements of geology. Geologists have in-depth knowledge about the most problems in society, such as water, mineral resources, natural hazards, energy, climate change, and the environment. In a college, a research paper is an important part of your studies. Therefore, if you’re pursuing a degree or diploma in geology, you must be ready for a geology research paper. Below are the key examples of geology research paper topics for college by WriteMyEssays. Check and be a pro in paper researching!
1. Causes of Landslides
There are numerous factors that trigger the formation of landslides. Some of the key factors include earthquakes, heavy rainfall, deforestation, urbanization, mining, and shifting cultivation. Based on research, a landslide is the gravitational movement of a mass of rock, especially downwards on a sloppy area. In addition, there are different types of landslides: slides falls, topples, and spread. Landslides can damage natural habitats, buildings, houses, and roads. In some instances, landslides can cause the loss of human lives.
2. Causes and Effects of Earthquakes
There’s a wide range of factors that contribute to earthquakes. Some of these factors include geological faults, volcanic eruptions, heavy rains, groundwater, pore fluid water, building dams, seismic quiescence, and tectonic movements. There are various effects of earthquakes, such as ground failure, ground shaking, tsunamis, ground rupture, liquefaction, and surface faulting. Geologists study more about earthquakes to predict the magnitude and time that they’re likely to happen.
3. Types of Volcanic Eruptions
Based on research, there are six types of volcanic eruptions: Pelean eruption, Icelandic eruption, Vulcanian eruption, Plinian eruption, Hawaiian eruption, and Strombolian eruption. Based on geology, volcanoes are classified according to their shape and size as well as their eruptive habits. In addition, eruptions can be further classified as either explosive or effusive. Explosive eruptions involve magma with high gas content and are more viscous. On the other hand, effusive eruptions generally involve the outpouring of basaltic magma. Basaltic magma contains low gas content and viscosity.
4. Chemical Weathering of Rocks
There are different types of chemical weathering of rocks: hydration, oxidation, carbonation, hydrolysis, and acidification. All these processes change the molecular structure of soil and rocks. For example, carbon dioxide combines with water to form weak carbonic acid that dissolves rocks.
5. Types of Rocks
Basically, there are three types of rocks: metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks. Based on research, metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are changed by reactive fluids, pressure, heat, etc. Sedimentary rocks form as a result of the precipitation of minerals from water. Lastly, igneous rocks are formed when molten rock (lava or magma) cools and solidifies.
6. Long-term Effects of Deforestation
Deforestation is the decrease in forests across the globe. The land is purposely cleared for other uses, such as mining activities, urbanization, and agricultural croplands. Some of the key long-term effects of deforestation include a threat to biodiversity, soil erosion, food insecurity, and climate change. This research topic will help you gain more knowledge about other essential aspects of deforestation. For instance, you can determine if the key solutions might reduce the rate of deforestation in the world.
7. The Process of Rock Formation
As previously discussed, there are three types of rocks: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. There are various processes that change one type of rock into another. Some of these processes include:
– Sedimentation
– Crystallization
– Erosion
– Metamorphism
Understanding these processes will help a geologist differentiate various types of rocks.
8. Types of Minerals
Oxides, native elements, sulfates, silicates, halides, and carbonates are the major mineral groups. Native elements include mercury, silver, diamond, and gold. Oxides include hematite, spinel, and corundum. Carbonates incorporate minerals, such as magnesite, calcite, and dolomite. Sulfates include gypsum and barite. Hydroxides incorporate brucite and goethite. In addition, halides include halite and fluorite.
Conclusion There are other geology research paper topics, such as theories about the shape of the earth, plutonic bodies, the origin of transform faults, geological processes, crude oil extraction, characteristics of mineral groups, types of forests, and plate tectonics theory.