Geologic Time

The Geology Tier credential documents competencies needed to research and study the physical aspects of the Earth, such as its composition, structure, and processes to learn about the past, present, and future. Those in geology occupations use a wide variety of tools in the field, collect rock samples, and use sophisticated equipment that measures and penetrates the Earth. Those in the field of geology can work in the field and in the lab or even the classroom. Many workers in this field are also involved in the search for and development of natural resources, environmental protection and preservation, reduction of natural hazards, and use seismographs and other instruments to collect data on events such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Specifically, this badge demonstrates the earner's ability to describe the geologic time scale including creating a time scale, the four basic time units, the principles of numeric and relative dating, types of fossils, and radioactive decay.