An engineering geologist is a

geologist A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid, liquid, and gaseous matter that constitutes Earth and other terrestrial planets, as well as the processes that shape them. Geologists usually study geology, earth science, or geophysics, althou ...

trained in the discipline of

engineering geology Engineering geology is the application of geology to engineering study for the purpose of assuring that the geological factors regarding the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and acc ...

. Many organizations and governments have programs for the qualification, testing and certification of engineering geologists as a protection to the public. Engineering geologists commonly work with

civil engineer A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering – the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructure while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing ...

s, structural engineers,

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

s, developers and planners, to ensure that the geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and adequately accounted for. One of the earliest definitions of the "Engineering Geologist" or "Professional Engineering Geologist" was provided by the Executive Committee of the Division on Engineering Geology of the Geological Society of America in 1951, as follows:

A professional engineering geologist is a person who, by reason of his special knowledge of the geological sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design acquired by professional education or practical experience, is qualified to apply such special knowledge for the purpose of rendering professional services or accomplishing creative work such as consultation, investigation, planning, design or supervision of construction for the purpose of assuring that the geologic elements affecting the structures, works or projects are adequately treated by the responsible engineer.

One of the most important roles of the engineering geologist is the interpretation of

landforms A landform is a natural or anthropogenic land feature on the solid surface of the Earth or other planetary body. Landforms together make up a given terrain, and their arrangement in the landscape is known as topography. Landforms include hills, ...

and earth processes to identify potential geologic and related manmade hazards that may impact civil structures and human development. Nearly all engineering geologists are initially trained and educated in

geology Geology () is a branch of natural science concerned with Earth and other Astronomical object, astronomical objects, the features or rock (geology), rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology ...

, primarily during their undergraduate education. This background in geology provides the engineering geologist with an understanding of how the earth works, which is crucial in mitigating earth related hazards. Most engineering geologists also have graduate degrees where they have gained specialized education and training in

soil mechanics Soil mechanics is a branch of soil physics and applied mechanics that describes the behavior of soils. It differs from fluid mechanics and solid mechanics in the sense that soils consist of a heterogeneous mixture of fluids (usually air and wat ...

rock mechanics Rock mechanics is a theoretical and applied science of the mechanical behavior of rock and rock masses; compared to geology, it is that branch of mechanics concerned with the response of rock and rock masses to the force fields of their physical env ...

, geotechnics,

groundwater Groundwater is the water present beneath Earth's surface in rock and Pore space in soil, soil pore spaces and in the fractures of stratum, rock formations. About 30 percent of all readily available freshwater in the world is groundwater. A unit ...

hydrology Hydrology () is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth and other planets, including the water cycle, water resources, and environmental watershed sustainability. A practitioner of hydrology is call ...

, and civil design. These two aspects of the engineering geologists' education provides them with a unique ability to understand and mitigate hazards associated with earth-structure interactions. In the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, the title of Engineering Geologist is legally protected by state registration boards. In California and Oregon, the licensure title is Certified Engineering Geologist, and in Washington it is Licensed Engineering Geologist. These are higher-level licenses and you must first become a Professional Geologist or Registered Geologist. The 2007 California Building Code (=CCR Title 24) specifies the title of Certified Engineering Geologist for the practice of engineering geology. As of 2009, there are about 1,600 Certified Engineering Geologists in California, and as of 2013 there are about 270 Certified Engineering Geologists in Oregon and 640 Licensed Engineering Geologists in Washington.

References

* Bates and Jackson, 1980, Glossary of Geology: American Geological Institute. * The Heritage of Engineering Geology: the First Hundred Years: Geological Society of America, GSA Centennial Special Volume 3, 1991.

References

See also