"Geology (from the Ancient Greek γῆ, gē ("earth") and -λoγία, -logia, ("study of", "discourse")) is a branch of Earth science concerned with both the liquid and solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Geology can also include the study of the solid features of any terrestrial planet or natural satellite such as Mars or the Moon. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Earth sciences, including hydrology and the atmospheric sciences, and so is treated as one major aspect of integrated Earth system science and planetary science.
Geology describes the structure of the Earth on and beneath its surface, and the processes that have shaped that structure. It also provides tools to determine the relative and absolute ages of rocks found in a given location, and also to describe the histories of those rocks. By combining these tools, geologists are able to chronicle the geological history of the Earth as a whole, and also to demonstrate the age of the Earth. Geology provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and the Earth's past climates.
Geologists use a wide variety of methods to understand the Earth's structure and evolution, including field work, rock description, geophysical techniques, chemical analysis, physical experiments, and numerical modelling. In practical terms, geology is important for mineral and hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, evaluating water resources, understanding of natural hazards, the remediation of environmental problems, and providing insights into past climate change. Geology is a major academic discipline, and it is central to geological engineering and plays an important role in geotechnical engineering."
(from Wikipedia)
An Introduction to Geology (file size: about 22 MB)
"Mineralogy is a subject of geology specializing in the scientific study of the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical (including optical) properties of minerals and mineralized artifacts. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization."
(from Wikipedia)
Biography of the author of the book "Mineralogy":
"Dexter Perkins grew up, mostly, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was an undergraduate at the University of Rochester before returning to Ann Arbor to attend Law School at the University of Michigan. After one semester he dropped out of Law School to pursue a degree in Natural Resources Management, but that, too, only lasted one semester. Subsequently, he transferred to Michigan's Department of Geology and received two graduate degrees. After departing Ann Arbor, he was on the faculty at the University of Chicago for three years before joining the faculty at the University of North Dakota. He is presently (in 2018) in his 37th year at UND. He is married and has two sons and one granddaughter."
Mineralogy (file size: about 15 MB)
"Petrology (from Ancient Greek πέτρος (pétros) 'rock', and λόγος (lógos) 'account, explanation, narrative') is the branch of geology that studies rocks and the conditions under which they form. Petrology has three subdivisions: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology. Igneous and metamorphic petrology are commonly taught together because they both contain heavy use of chemistry, chemical methods, and phase diagrams. Sedimentary petrology is, on the other hand, commonly taught together with stratigraphy because it deals with the processes that form sedimentary rock."
(from Wikipedia)