Unethical practice of geological sciences

Malpractice in geology
Misconduct of geological experts
Corruption of geologists
Underreporting of earthquake risks
Underreporting of groundwater pollution hazards
Negligence by geologists
Unregulated geological research
Dangerous geological programmes
Dangerous application of geophysics
Incompetent seismologists
Irresponsible geologists

Nature

The unethical practice of geological sciences refers to actions by professionals or organizations that violate ethical standards in geology. This includes data falsification, plagiarism, misrepresentation of findings, exploitation of natural resources without regard for environmental or social impacts, and conflicts of interest. Such practices undermine scientific integrity, public trust, and can lead to environmental harm, economic loss, and social injustice. Addressing these issues requires strict adherence to ethical guidelines, transparency, and accountability within the geological community to ensure responsible conduct and the sustainable use of Earth’s resources.

Background

The unethical practice of geological sciences emerged as a global concern in the late 20th century, following revelations of data falsification, environmental harm, and conflicts of interest in resource exploration and reporting. High-profile cases, such as manipulated mineral reserve estimates and concealed geohazard risks, prompted international scrutiny. Growing awareness of these practices’ impacts on public safety, environmental integrity, and economic stability has since led to increased calls for transparency and ethical standards within the geoscience community.

Incidence

Unethical practices in geological sciences have been reported across continents, affecting mineral exploration, environmental assessments, and resource management. Incidents include data falsification, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and manipulation of survey results, often leading to environmental harm, financial loss, and erosion of public trust. Such practices have been documented in both developed and developing countries, highlighting the global scale and persistent nature of the issue.
In 2022, a major scandal emerged in Western Australia when a geologist at a prominent mining company was found to have deliberately misreported core sample data to inflate resource estimates, resulting in significant investor losses and regulatory investigations.

Claim

Geologists, under pressure from their employers, have adopted practices which lead to the underreporting of earthquake hazards in relation to the siting of nuclear tests and installations, to the underreporting of groundwater pollution hazards in relation to the siting of toxic waste dumps, to the underreporting of geological hazards in relation to the construction of large dams, and to the failure to investigate adequately the nature of such hazards. Geologists are intimately involved in those corrupt practices associated with oil and mineral exploration, especially with the establishment of fraudulent claims.

Counter-claim

The so-called "unethical practice of geological sciences" is vastly overstated and hardly a pressing concern. The field is governed by rigorous standards, peer review, and transparency, making significant ethical breaches exceedingly rare. Focusing on this non-issue distracts from real challenges facing science and society. Instead of manufacturing problems, we should trust the integrity of geologists and direct our attention to genuinely important matters demanding urgent action.