[One Sip of a Book] The Earth Knows... What Happened on Our Planet

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Geology is the study of the entire Earth and its 4.6 billion-year history, encompassing everything formed on our planet over that immense period. It is a complex science that integrates many other sciences such as chemistry, physics, biology, geography, and oceanography. Professor Jan Zalasiewicz, a British geologist and writer, examines several key discoveries that have changed the paradigm of geology, from the ancient Greeks' conception of the Earth to Wegener's continental drift theory. Focusing on more specific topics such as structural geology, which studies how the current geological structures formed through various processes; hydrogeology, which deals with groundwater flow and its interaction with surrounding geology; and industrial mineralogy, which studies minerals used in industry, he sketches an immense and multifaceted outline of the field of geology.

Doing geology is like having free access to the largest and best time machine in the world. Naturally, it comes with a time-setting function. As the renowned geologist and paleontologist Richard Fortey said, our scope of investigation covers the entire Earth and its 4.54 billion-year history, and everything formed on our planet over that vast period. (p.10)

For many people, the word geology conjures up images of rock specimens lined up in museum display cases without much distinction. However, those who know geology, professional geologists, and even amateur enthusiasts all show great loyalty and affection for geology. Most professional geologists are also geology enthusiasts, often continuing their research simply for fun even after retirement. (p.20)

Wegener gained a small number of supporters, but the majority did not accept his ideas. Some in the geological community even mocked him. Most geologists explained identical fossils found far apart by proposing land bridges. In ancient times, dinosaurs and other life forms could move between continents via these land connections, which later submerged underwater. They thought the matching shapes of continents and crustal materials were mere coincidence. Above all, how could continents possibly push through the ocean floor? (pp.57-58)

Interpreting environments like the ocean floor, which is difficult for us humans who breathe air to reach, is even more challenging. Since most of Earth's ancient strata were formed in the sea, this poses a problem. Unlike familiar landscapes, the sea does not accumulate sediments well and erosion occurs less frequently. Therefore, geologists put great effort into understanding the processes currently occurring on the ocean floor. They sometimes visit these unfamiliar environments by submarine and try to replicate seabed conditions in laboratories. When research funds are limited but experiments are necessary, they even resort to makeshift solutions like using bathtubs. (pp.93-94)

Geology: A Time Machine Traveling Through 4.6 Billion Years of Earth's Time | Jan Zalasiewicz · Kim Jeong-eun | Gimmyoung Publishing | 216 pages | 15,800 KRW