Earth files

Not many people get to peep into a volcanic cauldron. Geologist DM Banerjee did. In 1979, Banerjee was among a group of researchers staying at Hotel Volcano on the rim of Mauna Loa volcano’s crater, in Hawaii.

“When we reached the hotel, I saw some (dark) clouds there. When I pointed this to a colleague, he took me to the window and showed me the source — the crater of Mauna Loa, with red hot lava simmering in it,” recounts Banerjee, now professor emeritus, department of geology, Delhi University (DU). At a distance of about 1 km from the hotel — a US Geological Survey property — the lava’s temperature would be 800-1,000 degree Celsius.

Banerjee was part of a group of experts on phosphate rocks (the raw material for superphosphate fertiliser) who were in Honolulu to discuss a viable strategy for exploration of this fertiliser rock material in unknown terrains of the world, especially in food-scarce Third World countries. The visit was sponsored by East West Center of the University of Hawaii, Honolulu. The group made a one-day visit to Mauna Loa to “break the monotony of the high profile technical discussions”.

“Standing on the rim of the volcanic crater and feeling the moist steam emanating from it, I felt deeply excited. This sense of adventure and the desire to unravel the mysteries of nature makes a person successful as a geologist,” says Banerjee.

This drive can take you anywhere from a mountain to an ocean, from a thick jungle to a flood plain, etc.

Geologists, or rather earth scientists, study the earth — the solid and liquid matter it is made of, the structure of its constituents and the processes by which earth materials (e.g. oil, metals, rocks) are formed. They study the evolution of the planet and living beings, such as the dinosaurs, that have lived on it. Earth scientists undertake studies to find rocks with economically valuable minerals. They also try to provide solutions to landslides and flood prevention.

Earth scientists are crucial players mainly in areas such as oil and gas, mapping, mining and construction (dams, hydel projects, bridges, and other mega structures). The latest fields in earth sciences are environmental biology, ecology and geology and nanogeosciences where scientists study minerals or rocks at the nano scale, say the experts. According to Prof. VN Bajpai, head, department of geology, DU, “None of the sciences has this much scope.”

However, geology is a low-key discipline that not many students hanker after, though according to Banerjee, “people are becoming interested in it after the recent earthquake in Haiti and the 2004 Tsunami”.

Concedes Dr Sudhakar Manda, assistant general manager (business development), RMSI, a global geospatial information and software services provider, “Geology is definitely not as popular and demanding as IT-related study fields. Having said that there are many sectors which simply cannot function without a geologist on board. These fields (mentioned earlier) have existed in the past and have practically not been affected at all by the IT revolution and a low but consistent demand continues.”

Manda says the entry of the private sector is creating opportunities overseas as well. “A booming economy and the opening of mining operations to private parties are increasing the demand for such niche domain experts. Africa and South America especially are opening up for global mine operators and a year or two down the line, there will be a large requirement of people for assessment of resources and thus for geologists.”

Students can ready themselves by enhancing their skill sets. Manda suggests, “Apart from a basic degree, which happens to be a cake only, a person should add the icing over it with courses in ecology and environment, geotechnology, geographic information system (IT related), remote sensing etc. This opens up opportunities aligned with current market trends including options in participation in climate change studies and search and space technology.”

Author: Rahat  Bano

Date:4th Feb., 2010

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