According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application. | 88% |
| Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software. | 88% |
| Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains. | 87% |
| Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos. | 86% |
| Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. | 83% |
| Assess ground or surface water movement to provide advice on issues, such as waste management, route and site selection, or the restoration of contaminated sites. | 83% |
| Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research. | 83% |
| Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities. | 81% |
| Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery. | 80% |
| Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management. | 78% |
| Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results. | 76% |
| Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management. | 76% |
| Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers. | 76% |
| Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports. | 76% |
| Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects. | 74% |
| Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews. | 73% |
| Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy. | 73% |
| Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination. | 73% |
| Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models. | 70% |
| Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments. | 70% |
| Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation. | 68% |
| Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications. | 67% |
| Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems. | 65% |
| Locate potential sources of geothermal energy. | 64% |
| Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities. | 64% |
| Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion. | 61% |
| Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes. | 61% |
| Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects. | 61% |
| Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes. | 60% |
| Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects. | 60% |
| Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data. | 56% |
| Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation. | 50% |
