Definition of geology

The word "geology" originates from the Greek words "ge" meaning "earth" and "logos" meaning "study" or "science". The term was first coined in the 14th century to describe the study of the Earth's structure, composition, and processes. The Greek philosopher Aristotle is often credited with being one of the earliest geologists, as he studied and wrote about the Earth's natural history and the processes that shape it. However, it was not until the 17th and 18th centuries that the study of geology became more systematic and scientific, with the work of pioneers such as James Hutton and Charles Lyell. Today, geology is a multidisciplinary science that encompasses the study of the Earth's physical structure, composition, and processes, including plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and the formation of rocks and minerals.