Geological processes is a scientific term used to describe the internal and external forces that shape the physical makeup of a planet. Earthquakes, erosion, meteor impact, and resource depletion all are considered geological processes, as they can significantly alter the landscape and even chemical makeup of Earth. Geological processes are closely studied by geologists and earth scientists, as understanding the causes and effects of these tremendous forces can be beneficial to emergency preparedness and prediction techniques.

When looking at the Earth from space it gives an impression of total, immovable serenity. This is far from true, as the history of the Earth is filled with violent changes that have forever altered landmasses and even the position of the continents. Most scientists believe that the Earth once featured a single large landmass called Pangaea, long before humans evolved. Through geological processes, Pangaea splintered into several smaller land masses that slowly drifted away from one another, eventually forming the modern continents.

There are three major types of geological process, defined by where the events take places. Physical activity at the surface level tend to work slowly to build mountains or wear them down to plains. This can include changes to top soil and ecosystems, erosion, and tidal activity. Forces inside the earth can cause sudden drastic change, such as the work of volcanoes and earthquakes, or slow but immense change caused by incredible forces like continental drift. Geological processes can also be the result of extraterrestrial activity, such as collision with meteors.

It may be easy to comprehend how a landscape could quickly change due to an earthquake, tsunami, or volcanic eruption, but these violent forces typically cause far less change than the unstoppable, slower-moving geological processes. Erosion is an incredibly powerful force all the time, carving out canyons and gorges through the incredibly slow but unavoidable work of moving water and wind. The Grand Canyon, a famous mile-deep (1.83 km) gorge that scars the landscape of Arizona, was formed by erosion over about 17 million years.

Plate tectonics is a major area of study associated with geological processes. The theory of plate tectonics suggest that the lower-density material that makes up the upper mantle level of the Earth has the ability to float or move atop the high-density lower mantle. These “plates” or floating sections are able to move and push up against one another, causing earthquakes, mountain range rises, and deep-ocean trenches. Many modern scientists believe that plate tectonics is responsible for much of the Earth's morphological trends, as powerful forces cause the plates to shift and move over time.

By referencing geological findings, scientists can discover considerable information about the history of geological processes long before the time of humans. It is by analyzing rock and strata layers that information is gained regarding extinction, previous continental position, and trends in eruptions and other geological activity. The study of geological processes lead to both early and modern understanding of dinosaurs, Ice Ages, and the prehistoric world. Many scientists hope that careful study will also allow humans to develop advanced warning systems for geological events that would otherwise be disasters.