Learn geology basics, identify rock formations, study mining processes, analyze geologic maps, and understand Earth's history to earn this merit badge

Requirements

  1. 1. Thinking Like a Geologist

    What Geology Explains

    Discuss how geologists learn about rock formations. In geology, explain why the study of the present is important to understanding the past.

  2. 2. Earth Materials in Daily Life

    Resources From the Ground

    Pick three resources that can be extracted or mined from Earth for commercial use. Discuss with your counselor how each product is discovered and processed.

  3. 3. Reading the Rocks

    Geologic Maps

    Review a geologic map of your area or an area approved by your counselor, and discuss the different rock types and estimated ages of rocks represented. Determine whether the rocks are sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous. Explain if the geologic map shows horizontal, folded, faulted, or intrusive rocks, and explain how you arrived at your conclusion.

  4. 4. Choose Your Geology Path

    Pick Your Option

    Choose 1
    Do ONE of the following options:

    1. Streams Shape the Land

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        Sediment Settling

        Conduct an experiment approved by your counselor that demonstrates how sediments settle from suspension in water. Explain to your counselor what the exercise shows and why it is important.
      2. 2.

        Stream Gradients

        Using topographical maps provided by your counselor, plot the stream gradients (different elevations divided by distance) for four different stream types (straight, meandering, dendritic, trellis). Explain which ones flow fastest and why, and which ones will carry larger grains of sediment and why.
      3. 3.

        Reading Stream Features

        On a stream diagram, show areas where you will find the following features: cut bank, fill bank, point bar, medial channel bars, lake delta. Describe the relative sediment grain size found in each feature.
      4. 4.

        Tiny Sediment, Big Clues

        Conduct an experiment approved by your counselor that shows how some sedimentary material carried by water may be too small for you to see without a magnifier.
      5. 5.

        Clues in a Dry Streambed

        Visit a nearby stream. Find clues that show the direction of water flow, even if the water is missing. Record your observations in a notebook, and sketch those clues you observe. Discuss your observations with your counselor.

    2. Energy Underground

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        Power Sources in the United States

        List the top five Earth resources used to generate electricity in the United States.
      2. 2.

        Source, Trap, and Reservoir

        Discuss source rock, trap, and reservoir rock—the three components necessary for the occurrence of oil and gas underground.
      3. 3.

        Tools for Finding Oil and Gas

        Explain how each of the following items is used in subsurface exploration to locate oil or gas: reflection seismic, electric well logs, stratigraphic correlation, offshore platform, geologic map, subsurface structure map, subsurface isopach map, and core samples and cutting samples.
      4. 4.

        Subsurface Structure Maps

        Using at least 20 data points provided by your counselor, create a subsurface structure map and use it to explain how subsurface geology maps are used to find oil, gas, or coal resources.
      5. 5.

        Show or Visit a Drilling Operation

        Choose 1
        Do ONE of the following:

        1. Present How Fuels Are Found

          Make a display or presentation showing how oil and gas or coal is found, extracted, and processed. You may use maps, books, articles from periodicals, and research found on the internet (with your parent or guardian’s permission). Share the display with your counselor or a small group (such as your class at school) in a five-minute presentation.

        2. Visit a Drilling Rig

          With your parent or guardian’s and counselor’s permission and assistance, arrange for a visit to an operating drilling rig. While there, talk with a geologist and ask to see what the geologist does onsite. Ask to see cutting samples taken at the site.

    3. Rocks, Minerals, and Society

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        The Three Rock Classes

        Discuss the three classes of rocks including their origin and characteristics.
      2. 2.

        What Makes a Mineral

        Discuss the origin of minerals and their chemical composition and identification properties, including hardness, specific gravity, color, streak, cleavage, luster, and crystal form.
      3. 3.

        Collect or Identify Specimens

        Choose 1
        Do ONE of the following:

        1. Build a 10-Specimen Collection

          Collect 10 different rocks or minerals. Record in a notebook where you obtained (found, bought, traded) each one. Label each specimen, identify its class and origin, determine its chemical composition, and list its physical properties. Share your collection with your counselor.

        2. Identify 15 Specimens

          With your counselor’s assistance, identify 15 different rocks and minerals. List the name of each specimen, tell whether it is a rock or mineral, and give the name of its class (if it is a rock) or list its identifying physical properties (if it is a mineral).
      4. 4.

        Road-Building Materials

        List three of the most common road building materials used in your area. Explain how each material is produced and how each is used in road building.
      5. 5.

        Visit or Investigate Resource Use

        Choose 1
        Do ONE of the following:

        1. Visit a Mine, Quarry, or Pit

          With your parent or guardian’s and counselor’s approval, visit an active mining site, quarry, or sand and gravel pit. Tell your counselor what you learned about the resources extracted from this location and how these resources are used by society.

        2. Two Rocks and Two Minerals

          With your counselor, choose two examples of rocks and two examples of minerals. Discuss the mining of these materials and describe how each is used by society.

        3. Geology in Construction

          With your parent or guardian’s and counselor’s approval, visit the office of a civil engineer and learn how geology is used in construction. Discuss what you learned with your counselor.

    4. Deep Time and Ancient Worlds

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        Geologic Time in Your Region

        Create a chart showing suggested geological eras and periods. Determine which period the rocks in your region might have been formed.
      2. 2.

        Plate Tectonics

        Explain the theory of plate tectonics. Make a chart explaining, or discuss with your counselor, how the processes of plate tectonics work. Discuss how plate tectonics determines the distribution of most of the Earth’s volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain belts.
      3. 3.

        Burial, Fossils, and Extinction

        Explain to your counselor the processes of burial and fossilization, and discuss the concept of extinction.
      4. 4.

        Fossils as Ancient Clues

        Explain to your counselor how fossils provide information about ancient life, environment, climate, and geography. Discuss the following terms and explain how animals from each habitat obtain food: benthonic, pelagic, littoral, lacustrine, open marine, brackish, fluvial, eolian, and protected reef.
      5. 5.

        Collect or Identify Fossils

        Collect 10 different fossil plants or animals OR (with your counselor’s assistance) identify 15 different fossil plants or animals. Record in a notebook where you obtained (found, bought, traded) each one. Classify each specimen to the best of your ability, and explain how each one might have survived and obtained food. Tell what else you can learn from these fossils.
      6. 6.

        Visit, Observe, or Present Fossils

        Choose 1
        Do ONE of the following:

        1. Museum Fossil Visit

          Visit a science museum or the geology department of a local university that has fossils on display. With your parent or guardian’s and counselor’s approval, before you go, make an appointment with a curator or guide who can show you how the fossils are preserved and prepared for display.

        2. Fossils in Building Stone

          Visit a structure in your area that was built using fossiliferous rocks. Determine what kind of rock was used and tell your counselor the kinds of fossil evidence you found there.

        3. Fossil Outcrop Visit

          Visit a rock outcrop that contains fossils. Determine what kind of rock contains the fossils, and tell your counselor the kinds of fossil evidence you found at the outcrop.

        4. State Fossil Presentation

          Prepare a display or presentation on your state fossil. Include an image of the fossil, the age of the fossil, and its classification. You may use maps, books, articles from periodicals, and research found on the internet (with your parent or guardian’s permission). Share the display with your counselor or a small group (such as your class at school). If your state does not have a state fossil, you may select a state fossil from a neighboring state.

  5. 5. Outdoor Ethics in Geology

    Leave No Trace and the Outdoor Code

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Discuss with your counselor the importance of the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code as they relate to the study of geology.

    2. b.

      Explain how you practiced the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code while traveling in natural areas and while collecting rock and fossil specimens for this merit badge.

  6. 6. Where Geology Can Take You

    Career or Hobby Path

    Choose 1
    Do ONE of the following:

    1. Geology Careers

      Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian’s permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.

    2. Geology as a Hobby or Lifestyle

      Explore how you could use knowledge and skills from this merit badge to pursue a hobby or healthy lifestyle. Research any training needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support it. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.