Geology Dissertation Topics

Geology Dissertation Topics

Info: Geology Dissertation Topics
Published: 11th September 2025 in Geology Dissertation Topics

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Introduction

Geology is one area of study that incorporates the processes shaping the earth, resources, processes impacting society, and environmental issues. The processes include plate tectonics, volcanism, and erosion; the societal issues include natural hazards, resources development, climate change, and sustainable development. This dissertation will examine a variety of geological topics such as mineral exploration, environmental geoscience, natural hazards and climate change impacts on Earth’s systems. This includes applied geology in the context of environmental sustainability, natural hazard reduction, and resources extraction.

Background Context

Geosciences allow us to see how the Earth is a record of its history, understand how minerals form, how plate tectonics are in motion, and analyze the physical processes behind observed hazards (e.g. earthquakes, volcanism). Geology affects our lives in several ways from energy resources, building purposes, agriculture and environmental management as environmental problems grow and managing resources sustainably and mitigating geohazards is imperative. This field of study will explore the processes that build and change the Earth and how human beings can work with those Earth processes to create sustainable pathways and scientific understanding.

Future Research Topics

  • Plate Tectonics and Earthquake Risk: Analyze how tectonic plates influence the pattern of earthquakes and hazard assessments.
  • Mining and Environmental Impacts: Analyze the idea of aquifer pollution and sustainability of mining.
  • Groundwater Extraction and Subsidence: Evaluate the relationships between groundwater extraction and subsidence.
  • Hydrocarbon Basin Development: Survey various types of sedimentary basins in space, and their oil and gas accumulations.
  • Geohazard Forecasting: Evaluate diverse types of systems for forecasting earthquakes, volcanos and tsunami.

Dissertation Topic 1:

Plate Tectonics in Global Earthquake Risk Assessments

Background Context

Plate tectonics is the model to explain seismic activity and seismic risk zones at a global scale. This dissertation will consider the plate boundary tectonic plates and their relationship to earthquake hazards and assess how existing methods of seismic hazard mapping operate in different locations.
Research Questions
  • To what extent do tectonic settings determine the occurrence and magnitude of earthquakes?
  • What are the processes used globally to produce earthquake risk maps and how effective are they at reducing risk?
  • What differences exist in how developed and developing countries approach the formation of seismic hazard maps?
Potential Implications
  • To improve the understanding of methods for seismic hazard assessment world-wide.
  • To provide advice regarding improvements to early warning systems.
  • To strengthen policies related to earthquake preparedness in high-risk communities.
Suggested Reading
  • Stein, S., & Wysession, M. (2025). An Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes, and Earth Structure. Cambridge University Press.
  • Scholz, C. (2024). The Mechanics of Earthquakes and Faulting. Journal of Geophysical Research, 130(5), 456–478.

Dissertation Topic 2:

Assessing Mining's Environmental Risks to Groundwater Resources; A Mining

Background Context
There is compelling evidence that mining developments, in particular coal mining, are having immediate detrimental effects on groundwater quality and availability as a resource. Below is a conceptual project to assess groundwater pollution in hotspot sites surrounding coal mining intakes in India, while assessing the effectiveness of current environmental regulations.
Research Questions
  • What contaminants enter groundwater reservoirs due to the activities of coal mining?
  • Is existing regulation and mitigation sufficient to protect groundwater?
  • To what extent does geology contribute to the spread of contamination?
Potential Implications
  • Identify causes of contamination to groundwater.
  • Assess effectiveness of regulatory framework and provide recommendations for improvement.
  • Add to the sustainable mining practices in developing economies.

Suggested Reading

  • Younger, P. L., & Wolkersdorfer, C. (2025). Mining Impacts on the Freshwater Environment. Springer.
  • Bhattacharya, P., et al. (2024). Environmental Impacts of Coal Mining in India: Groundwater Contamination Issues. Environmental Earth Sciences, 82(3), 89–105.

Dissertation Topic 3:

Climate Change and Permafrost Degeneration: Consequences for Infrastructure in Arctic Regions

Background Context
Due to climate change, permafrost has been thawing at rates never experienced, threatening infrastructure in the Arctic region. This dissertation will examine the longer-term geological and environmental implications of the degradation of permafrost and propose pathways forward for sustainable developments.
Research Questions
  • What effect does permafrost degradation have on the stability of buildings, roadways, and pipelines in Arctic regions?
  • What geological factors contribute to accelerated thawing of permafrost?
  • What engineering options exist to address the effects of permafrost degradation?
Potential Implications
  • Increased awareness of permafrost related issues.
  • Geological normative elements to permafrost stability evaluation.
  • Innovative engineering and policy development.
Suggested Reading
  • Schuur, E. A. G., et al. (2025). Climate Change and the Permafrost Carbon Feedback. Nature Climate Change, 10(8), 715–721.
  • French, H. M. (2024). The Periglacial Environment. Wiley.

Dissertation Topic 4:

Mapping landslide susceptibility using GIS: Lessons Learned from the Himalayan Region

Background
Landslides are ubiquitous in the Himalayan region, which has a naturally high altitude and rocky terrain, geologically unstable, and experiences large amounts of monsoonal rainfall. This doctoral dissertation proposes mapping landslide susceptibility using GIS-based systems and will assess the risk factors that predispose to landslides, using a case study approach to better inform disaster management strategy at the local scale.
Research Questions
  • What geological and climatic factors correlate the most with landslides in the Himalayas?
  • How accurately are GIS-based susceptibility models being utilized currently?
  • Can GIS-based risk assessment contribute to improving early warning and risk reduction?
Potential Contributions
  • To provide detailed landslide risk maps for local authorities.
  • To improve knowledge of geological triggers of landslides.
  • Help guide and inform policymakers for improved disaster mitigation strategy.
Suggested Reading
  • Guzzetti, F., et al. (2025). Landslide Hazard Assessment: A Review of Current Practices. Earth-Science Reviews, 150(1), 345–367.
  • Carrara, A., et al. (2024). GIS Techniques in Geohazard Assessment. Springer.

Dissertation Topic 5:

The Geothermal Energy Potential of Volcanic Regions: A Comparison

Background
Volcanic regions are excellent geothermal energy resources due to their significant heat flow at depth. This dissertation will evaluate the geothermal potential of volcanic regions in Iceland and Indonesia, linking those evaluations to their role as constituents of sustainable energy development.
Research Questions
  • What are the geological determinants of geothermal energy potential?
  • How do countries exploit geothermal energy in volcanic areas?
  • What are the environmental impacts of geothermal energy extraction?
Potential Impacts
  • Provide a geological foundation for assessing geothermal energy potential.
  • Analyze and compare geothermal energy development strategies.
  • Recommend sustainable policies regarding geothermal energy use.
Suggested Reading
  • Lund, J. W., & Freeston, D. H. (2025). Geothermal Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment. CRC Press.
  • DiPippo, R. (2024). Geothermal Power Plants: Principles, Applications, Case Studies. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Conclusion

Geology is an exciting and interesting study that represents essential information about Earth processes, resources and resource management, and sustainable living and environmental practices. The dissertation topics indicated above highlight the broad range of geologically relevant topics—that they can relate to natural hazards, groundwater contamination, and sustainable energy solutions. Geological research will continue to be relevant because of the modern environmental and societal challenges that demand sustainable development and scientific understanding of Earth’s systems.

PhD Assistance can support geology students with their projects that include selecting a dissertation topic, research methods, analyses of data, and dissertation writing. Contact us today for individual custom one-on-one research support.

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