Are you curious about how the physical world works? Earth Science deals with the physical features of the planet itself. This includes Geologists, who study the ground under our feet, what it’s made of, how it was created and how it’s changing. Geologists search for fuels and minerals, study natural hazards, and work to protect Earth's environment. Meteorologists and climatologists study the atmosphere and oceanographers the oceans; their composition, movement, organisms and processes. 

Some Earth scientists use their knowledge of the Earth to locate and develop energy and mineral resources. Others study the impact of human activity on Earth's environment and design methods to protect the planet. Some use their knowledge about Earth processes such as volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes to plan communities that will not expose people to these dangerous events.

Earth Scientists play a central role in the race to understand how dynamic earth systems are changing and what we might be able to do about such change.

Some examples of the work that scientists are engaged with in this sector include; developing natural resources such as wind, wave and solar energy in ways that safeguard the environment, predicting the behaviour of Earth systems and the universe, finding adequate supplies of natural resources, such as ground water, petroleum, and metals, conserving soils, maintaining agricultural productivity and maintaining quality of water supplies.

Many earth scientists will work in public service roles, engaging in science communication or working to understand the risks from natural phenomena such as volcanos, tsunamis and earthquakes.