Program overview
Structural geology is a core branch of geology. Simply put, it studies the structure, deformation, and evolution of Earth's lithosphere. You'll learn why the crust bends and breaks, how mountains rise, and the mechanical mechanisms behind earthquakes and volcanic activity. Core courses include Fundamentals of Structural Geology, Geotectonics, Rock Mechanics, Remote Sensing Geological Interpretation, and Geophysical Exploration. This major suits students who enjoy fieldwork, are curious about Earth's history, and have strong hands-on skills. Chinese universities have unique advantages in this field—for example, China University of Geosciences (Beijing/Wuhan), Peking University, and Nanjing University leverage world-class tectonic zones like the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tianshan Mountains, and Longmen Shan to provide excellent field training bases. You'll not only learn theory but also measure faults, draw geological cross-sections, and even participate in earthquake risk assessment projects.