UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS GEOLOGIST Why I want to be a
Sherri Buxton SA-10864
Colorado Mesa University Colorado Section
As a young child, I was fascinated by the earth sciences. I recall wondering and daydreaming about what exactly could be inside of this beautiful planet. Finding the perfect place for the newest addition to my extensive rock collection was a primary, and seemingly unique, childhood concern. The more I explored and learned about the earth sciences, the more I was drawn to know everything there was to know about them. As I grew older, the importance of geology became evident to me and I realized and how it truly affects the world beneath and around us. From our basic need for water and energy to the stable land that we build on, geology plays a key role in our society and survival.
In today’s world, the study of geology is especially relevant. Our society is facing an array of issues that are now in the limelight of geologic science as well as environmental science. We are facing real challenges regarding energy, water, and natural resources. We are aware of what the future may hold; and we are actively adapting by adjusting how we develop our lands and buildings. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we think on a planetary scale. It is up to us to use what we know about the past to determine how we prepare for the future. How we plan to live with this planet absolutely matters and our tomorrow depends on our knowledge of geology.
Even as a child, I was astonished by the news of natural disasters. It is important that we are aware of what physical dangers there are around us: volcanoes, earthquakes, land- slides, tsunamis, etc. Through science, we continue to study and understand these natural disasters. Today, there is a higher population in areas that are not traditionally inhabited, and more people are moving to coastal areas. All the while, we are seeing that geologic hazards are playing a main role in vital decisions; decisions regarding where we put our buildings
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Student Scholarship Essays
and how society can alleviate these natural hazards. Geology is teaching us how to deal with living in areas that are prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, or other natural disasters. Knowledge of these hazards has become very impor- tant. It is imperative that we understand where the hazards are, when they occur, how often they occur, and how they will affect people. This is only a small piece of the puzzle that has intrigued me to pursue a career in geology.
We are seeing a mineral resource stress on the planet right now. This mineral resource stress is due to more and more countries contending for less and less mineral products and commodities. Unfortunately, these products are being exploited at a very rapid rate. This includes commodities such as copper, iron, zinc, lead and nickel. It includes a variety of precious metals, semi-precious metals, and non-precious metals. It includes a vast number of other minerals that are particularly important for society. These are commodities that are running out and we need trained geoscientists to understand more about these resources. Trained geologists can discern where these deposits are, how we can find them, and ultimately how we can extract them in the most environ- mentally sensitive way.
As mentioned earlier, geology plays the lead role in harness- ing energy. Geologists are often tasked with finding more oil reserves or finding alternative sources of energy. Energy resources still include tradi- tional hydro- carbon, gas, and coal; how- ever, it now also includes new emerging
As mentioned earlier, geology plays the lead role in harness- energy. Geologists are often ked with finding more reserves or finding rnative sources
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