Geology Study Logbook

Last updated: 2026 May 24

Disclaimer: just like with my other “study” projects (TBA), I prioritize my interests above all. No memorization, just roaming freely.

HowTheEarthWasMadeHistoryChannel

I have been studying geology on my own since the beginning of 2026 and this is the curriculum I have created for myself and have been following.

A remark: the list includes things that fall outside the strict definition of geology. Don’t be triggered, this is just the order I have been following to gain a better understanding of the history of our planet, Earth.

Documentaries

  • How the Earth Was Made (Pilot), History Channel
  • The Earliest Years Of Earth's 4.6 Billion Year History, Spark
  • David Attenborough Documentaries
    • First Life with David Attenborough
    • Rise of Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates
  • Walking with... Series
    • Walking with Monsters
    • Walking with Dinosaurs
    • Walking with Beasts
  • Ian Stewart Documentaries
    • Journeys from the Centre of the Earth
    • Journeys into the Ring of Fire
    • Earth: The Power of the Planet
    • How Earth Made Us
    • Men of Rock
    • How to Grow a Planet
    • Rise of the Continents
  • How the Earth Was Made S1-S2, History Channel

Books

  • Geology: A Complete Introduction, 5h Edition (Rothery)
  • Understanding Earth, 7th Edition (Grotzinger & Jordan) ← I’m here
  • Earth - Portrait of a Planet, 7th Edition (Marshak)
  • Structural Geology, 2nd Edition (Fossen)
  • Structural Geology, 2nd Edition (Twiss & Moores)

As you can see, with geology in particular, I spent over 50 hours watching documentaries before diving into any literature. The reason is simple: I think geology is best understood visually. Luckily, there are many high-quality documentaries. My personal favorites are pretty much all works by Iain Stewart, especially his earlier stuff from the 2000s.

Now, while watching all the documentaries, I did not develop an interest in a particular field. Looking at rocks is still my favorite thing to do but, at the same time, I do not have much interest in their inner structure or minerals. Living in countryside Japan, I’m spoiled with many cool rocks and rock formations anywhere I go. But I also feel like developing a deeper understanding of geology overall. After doing some research, I stumbled upon a sub-field called Structural Geology. We shall see if this is the one.

EarthThePowerOfThePlanetIainStewart

If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate contacting me at vackabox [at] icloud [dot] com.