Key Difference: Geology is more concerned with the processes that came into play to create the earth, as well as what it is composed of, mainly the various types of rocks. Geography deals with everything else. Technically, it refers to layout of the land, the rivers and the mountains and valleys. As well as the impact humans have on the earth.

It is easy to see why the confusion between the terms ‘geography’ and ‘geology’ occurs. Both the terms are used in relation to Earth; however, the truth of the matter is that they in fact deal with two different branches of study. Geography deals with the layout of the land, both natural and manmade, while geology deals with how the earth formed.            

The two fields are completely different yet have an overlapping aspect: the Earth. The two fields are related to studying different aspects of earth. Basically, geology is more concerned with the processes that came into play to create the earth, as well as what it is composed of, mainly the various types of rocks. Geography deals with everything else. Technically, it refers to layout of the land, the rivers and the mountains and valleys. As well as the impact humans have on the earth.

Many people think of maps and countries and capitals when they think of geography; however, maps and locations of places and countries is actually cartography, which is just a single aspect of geography. Geography is so much more than that. Officially, geography deals with the study of the spatial and the temporal distribution of phenomena, processes, and features as well as the interaction of humans and their environment.

Simply described, the study of geography is twofold. It studies the natural environment, and how organisms, climate, soil, water, and landforms produce and interact. This makes up aspects of physical geography. It also studies how humans create, view, manage, and influence space. This makes up human geography. The third field, environmental geography, combines the physical and the human geography, and studies how humans interact with and impact the environment.

Geography is often termed as interdisciplinary, which means that it impacts various other fields. In fact, aspects of geography have an impact on a variety of topics, such as economics, health, climate, plants and animals.

Geology, on the other hand, studies the history of the Earth, mainly the types of rocks that compose earth, as well as the process that created those rocks and are changing them. It is through geology that we know of plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates. By studying the past, we can also hope to predict and prepare for the future.

Today, geology helps impact numerous things, such as but not limited to, mineral and hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, evaluating and utilizing water resources, understanding what causes natural hazards, as well as effective ways of dealing with them. It also helps with understanding and mitigating environmental problems and helping with the crisis of climate change.

Hence, while the two topics are different and study different aspects of Earth, the truth of the matter is that they are both equally important, as they help us understand the workings of Earth and how we as a species are impacting it.

Comparison between Geography and Geology:

Image Courtesy: play.google.com, cottonexpressions.com