Seismology: Earthquakes, HPHT Drilling and Other Things You Didn’t Know

We always equate a career in seismology with predicting and monitoring earthquakes. However, a career in seismology can lead you into lots of other industries, such as engineering and HPHT drilling, for example, so let’s look at some interesting things you possibly didn’t know about a career in seismology:

 

  1. Seismology is defined at the geophysical science of earthquakes and the mechanical properties of the earth. This ‘mechanical properties’ can lead to careers and professional interests far beyond earthquakes, including volcanoes, engineering, construction and environmental work.

  2. Modern seismology has only existed as a science for approximately 100 years. Its scope broadened over the 20th century to include study of the earth’s interior whilst, as we have moved into the 21st century, all geo-sciences, including seismology, have started to have greater applications and relevance to global industries, including the study of climate change.

  3. The study of seismology includes plate tectonics: the movement of the plates that form the upper part of the earth’s crust. Industries which rely on information from seismologists in relation to plate tectonics include the construction and engineering industries, which of course also encompass oil, gas and mining industries.

  4. The study of earth sciences at degree level can include modules relating to geology, geophysics, tectonics and seismology. Attaining a degree in geo-sciences mostly qualifies the scientist to work at an observational and operational capacity, whilst the real experts in their relevant fields will certainly have studied to PhD level: the pre-requisite qualification for being involved in research in the academic, industry or private sectors.

  5. Aptitude in computer science is the obvious and relevant foundation-skill to working in geo-science, due to the high level of technological administration and interpretation required. This is an area in which a seismologist can specialise.

  6. The petroleum industry is one of the largest employers of geo-scientists. Before any drilling takes place, thorough analysis of any proposed site takes place, both to identify the capacity of any reservoir of resources (to check viability of extraction) as well as to check the stability (or otherwise) of the area.

  7. Geo-scientists will be involved in identifying whether a proposed drilling site will be a ‘normal’ well of a standard temperature and pressure, or whether the well will require HPHT drilling expertise. HPHT relates to a the well having a High Pressure, High Temperature status at its maximum proposed drilling depth.

  8. Don’t think that a job in seismology will necessarily be a job in the great outdoors! Whilst field-work is part of the role, a lot of tasks take place in labs or underground!

 

So, if you don’t mind the high pressure that comes with HPHT drilling, or with working in unpredictable regions of the earth, seismology could be the job for you on a (tectonic) plate!