THE LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING - CAREERS IN GEOSCIENCES TODAY

As in any scientific endeavor or study of the Earth, ideas and input factors change over time. And relative to careers in the geosciences, times are ‘a changing’. As we transition into new energy frontiers, subsurface characterization of Phanerozoic rocks is becoming a critical asset for employment opportunities in the geosciences. The reason for these changes amounts to two words: Energy Storage.

As industries, governments, and policy makers look for ways to reduce CO₂ emissions, develop ‘green’ technologies, shift to electric or fuel-cell vehicles, and further develop solar and wind applications across utilization vectors – the key component is the requirement for power. Energy Storage provides the necessary link to upscale resources such that intermittency challenges can be reduced. As the world transitions from coal and hydrocarbons, cleaner-burning methane becomes a practical way to bridge that transition. Methane gas storage fields are required to deliver both residential and commercial gas on a seasonal basis; subsurface expertise is critical. Hydrogen can be blended with methane for delivery to power plants and blended with biofuels for hybrid fuel cell transportation. Subsurface hydrogen storage is required as blended fuel percentages increase and demand for hydrogen-based aviation fuels, manufacturing, fertilizer production, and biofuels increase. Utilization of methane and carbon capture techniques requires CO₂ subsurface storage. Developing geothermal cells both on a residential and industrial scale is a type of energy storage. Compressed air storage is being scrutinized as an energy source. All these new technologies require subsurface characterization and engineering. Geoscience specialists are of critical importance in the new energy frontier.

Training in stratigraphic architecture, sequence stratigraphy, hydrogeology, seismic interpretation, near-surface geophysics, isotopic age-dating, mineralogy, environmental geology, bedrock geology, soil science, Python coding, remote sensing, AI applications, and geochemistry are just some of the ‘critical knowledge’ needs as we go forward into this century. Geoscience students can choose their career pathway and demand is noticeably increasing.