Everything a geologist needs to be successful in the field.
a geologist must have to make a successful field excursion. This list is not exhaustive, and some items might be more important than others depending on the season, or where you are going to collect. Now we'll look at some items that are useful, but not necessarily needed by the geologist.
A good map of the area being explored is always handy. Even if you are familiar with the area you will be visiting, a good map is always useful. There are two types of maps a geologists might want to carry into the field. The first is a topographic map of the area being explored. Topo maps, as they are commonly called, can be purchased at many specialty outdoor stores and some bookstores, especially if you live in an area with lots of outdoor activities. You can also find topo maps for free online at Topozone.com. This is the best site for finding topographic maps on the internet. Topo maps can also be acquired from the US Forest Service and the US Geological Survey. The other type of map is a good geologic map of the area. Geologic maps are useful for letting the geologist know where in the stratigraphic column he or she is exploring. Geologic maps are available for purchase from the USGS as well as state geological surveys.
Another useful tool is the aerial photograph. These are pictures taken from the air of a particular area. The photograph allows the geologist to see the land as it is, and to make notes on the photo of important outcrops and other geologic features. When making a map of an area, the aerial photograph is useful to match physical features, like buildings, to the topography and geology.
A good camera can be used to record on film (or digitally) what the geologist sees in the field. Even cheap, instamatic cameras can be useful. When taking photos of rocks, out crops or other geologic features, make sure you use some item as a scale for the item being photographed. A ruler, pocket knife, or coinage is useful for photographs of small features. For larger features or outcrops, use another person, or a vehicle or something similarly large to give the scale. Scale is important since later in the lab, you don't always remember how big or small a particular item may have been. It's also important to record what
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