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Professional geologists work for a wide range of government agencies, private firms, and non-profit and academic institutions. Local, state, and national governments hire geologists to help plan and evaluate excavations, construction sites, environmental remediation projects, and natural disaster preparedness, as well as to investigate natural resources. An engineering geologistAn engineering geologist is a geologist trained and experienced in the discipline of engineering geology. Many states in the United States, foreign governments and professional organizations have programs for the qualification, testing and certification o (a geologist trained, experienced and certified in the field of engineering geologyEngineering Geology is the application of the science of geology to the understanding of geologic phenomena and the engineering solution of geologic hazards and other geologic problems for society. Engineering geologic studies may be performed during the) are called upon to investigate geologic hazardsA Geologic Hazard is one of several types of adverse geologic conditions capable of causing damage or loss of property and life. These hazards can consist of active fault (fault exhibiting recent movement or seismic activity), fault rupture (displacement and geologic constraints for the planning, design and construction of public and private engineering projects, forensic and post-mortem studies, environmental impact analysisEnvironmental impact analysis is conducted to determine the likely human environmental health impact, risk to ecological health, and changes to nature's services that a proposed or ongoing project may bring, or is bringing. The US Environmental Protection and other purposes. PetroleumNodding donkey pumping an oil well near Sarnia, Ontario, 2001 Petroleum (from Latin petrus rock and oleum oil), mineral oil or crude oil sometimes colloquially called black gold is a thick, dark brown or greenish flammable liquid, which exists in the uppe and mining companies and large-scale land developers use geologist's and engineering geologist's skills to help them locate oil and minerals, adapt to local features such as karst deposits or the risk of earthquakes, and comply with environmental regulations. Geologists in academia usually hold an advanced degree in a specialized area within the discipline.
See also: List of geologists
Science occupations