Michael Wall, Ph.D. Director of the Biodiversity Research Center
of the Californias Geology is the scientific study of Earth. The
natural world around us is dependent on and shaped by geologic
history. Core specialties within the geological sciences focus
on: - the chemical composition of Earth (e.g., mineralogy, the
study of minerals, and petrology, study of rocks); - the
structure of Earth (structural geology); - landforms and the
processes that produce them (geomorphology); - geologic history,
including the study of fossils (paleontology), and the
development of sedimentary strata (stratigraphy). Knowledge
generated by geologists is essential to our understanding of the
living systems in our environment. The Museum research focus is
on the flora, fauna and ecology of our region, both past and
present, incorporating the geologic knowledge produced by
researchers elsewhere. The articles and references provided here
are selected for their focus on our particular region, within
the broader geologic picture.