Earth scientists, sometimes known as geoscientists, are professionals who study the physical and chemical processes that shape the planet Earth. These skilled experts use their expertise to investigate a range of topics, including geology, mineralogy, oceanography, atmospheric science, and more. While earth scientists are the most widely used term, other synonyms can be used to describe these professionals. These include geologists, geophysicists, meteorologists, hydrologists, and many others. No matter what they are called, earth scientists are critical to understanding the planet we live on and helping us to map out its past, present, and future.