5 Best Geological Apps for Android in 2023

In today’s digital age, geology enthusiasts and professionals have a treasure trove of geological apps at their fingertips. Whether you’re a geoscientist conducting fieldwork or a curious rock lover exploring your surroundings, these apps are essential tools for your mobile device. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the five best geological apps for Android in 2023. Discover their exciting features, capabilities, and how they can enhance your geological journey.

Smart Geology – Mineral Guide

Smart Geology – Mineral Guide is your go-to app for everything related to minerals and geological information. With a plethora of features and a user-friendly interface, it’s a must-have for geology enthusiasts. Here’s what makes this app stand out:

Exciting Features

1. Handy MINERAL CHART (with images): Explore a comprehensive mineral chart complete with vivid images, making mineral identification a breeze.
2. Mineral CLASSIFICATION: Dive deep into mineral classification, organized into groups and sub-groups for easy reference.
3. Compact Geological TIME-SCALE: Access a geological time-scale in a condensed format, perfect for quick consultations.
4. Geology DICTIONARY: Expand your geological vocabulary with a built-in dictionary.
5. Basic detection of Hand Specimen: Identify minerals by examining hand specimens with the app’s basic detection feature.
6. Multilingual Support: The app offers language support for Italian, German, French, Spanish, Turkish, Portuguese, and Russian.
7. Cool and Trendy Themes: Customize your experience with stylish background themes.
8. Offline & Ad-Free: Use the app even when offline, without intrusive advertisements.

Smart Geology – Mineral Guide is your pocket companion for all things mineralogy, making it a valuable tool for geologists of all levels.

FREE download for Android

My Earthquake Alerts – Map

For those intrigued by seismic activities and earthquakes, My Earthquake Alerts – Map is the ideal app to keep you informed. This app offers a wealth of earthquake-related data and features:

Features

1. Live earthquake map: Track and monitor earthquakes from around the world in real-time with an interactive map.
2. Free earthquake alerts: Receive customized earthquake alerts with no restrictions, ensuring you’re always in the know.
3. Powerful search feature: Delve into earthquake history dating back to 1970, allowing for extensive research.
4. Beautiful & simple design: View earthquake data on a map or in a list with an intuitive and visually pleasing interface.
5. Location Details: Find precise information about earthquake locations, depths, and distances from your current position.
6. Multiple Data Sources: Utilizes information from various earthquake networks, including the USGS and EMSC.

Stay up-to-date with the latest earthquake activity worldwide by downloading My Earthquake Alerts – Map today. Please note that this version includes ads to support its free features.

FREE download for Android

Rockd

Rockd is the ultimate companion for geologists looking to explore, learn, and document their geological surroundings. Whether you’re a professional geoscientist or a curious rock enthusiast, Rockd offers a diverse range of features:

Features

1. Instant geologic and geographic summaries: Access comprehensive information about your current location through an interactive dashboard.
2. Global geologic maps: Explore over 140 geologic maps from around the world, with new additions regularly.
3. Past location tracking: Review your previous locations and explore paleogeographic maps by C.R. Scotese and GPlates.
4. Literature Exploration: Access published literature related to mapped geologic units when available via GeoDeepDive.
5. Elevation Data: Obtain elevation data for most Earth locations from various sources.
6. Field Observations: Add your own field observations, even when offline, and tag features from Macrostrat and the Paleobiology Database.
7. Private and Public Sharing: Track your geological journey privately or share it with others. You can also explore the activities of other users.

Rockd is developed by the Macrostrat lab at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Geoscience.

FREE download for Android

Flyover Country – Inflight GPS

Flyover Country – Inflight GPS is an app designed to make your in-flight or outdoor experience more engaging. It provides valuable geological insights along your journey, whether you’re flying, hiking, or on a road trip:

Features

1. In-Flight Entertainment: Track your flight using GPS and explore the geological features below you with offline maps and points of interest.
2. Geological Maps: Access interactive geologic maps from Macrostrat.org, fossil localities from Neotomadb.org and Paleobiodb.org, and Wikipedia articles.
3. Offline Capability: The app caches relevant map data and points of interest for your specific flight path, eliminating the need for in-flight Wi-Fi.

Flyover Country is not limited to airplane travel; it’s also perfect for road trips, hiking adventures, field trips, and geological fieldwork.

FREE download for Android

Handbook of Rocks

Handbook of Rocks is an invaluable resource for geologists, providing a comprehensive list of rock types and related information:

Main Features

1. Extensive Rock Database: Access a list of over 4000 rock types, including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
2. Search Functionality: Easily search for specific rock types using the app’s search feature.
3. Diagrams for Identification: Refer to 22 diagrams to aid in the identification of Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks.
4. Minimalist Design: Enjoy a user-friendly and minimalist design for efficient navigation.
5. Fast and Fully Searchable: Quickly find the information you need, thanks to the app’s speedy search capabilities.
6. Basic Details: Obtain essential details for each rock type, enhancing your geological knowledge.

Handbook of Rocks is a valuable resource made by geologists for geologists, continuously updated to provide the most up-to-date information.

FREE download for Android

Conclusion

In conclusion, these 5 Best Geological Apps for Android in 2023 cater to a wide range of geological interests and expertise levels. Whether you’re passionate about minerals, earthquakes, geologic mapping, or rock classification, these apps are indispensable tools for your geological endeavors. Download them today and embark on a journey of geological discovery like never before. Happy exploring!

Read more on blog:

• What Type of Granite Are Olympic Curling Stones Made From? 
• Discovering the Benefits of Free Geological Compass on Your Mobile Phone
•  How to Construct a Geologic Cross Section: A Step-by-Step Guide 

Guest author of the article: Mirza Djedović, B.Sc. geology