地质科学的任务正从资源勘探扩展到环境预测,从面向过去变为也要面向未来。与此相应,除地球的固态圈层外,气圈和水圈的历史演变也成为其直接的研究对象。古海洋学、古湖泊学、古水文学、古大气化学和古气象学等新学科应运而生。新的研究领域要求改革研究方法,应用严格的数据采集和处理技术、经过模式的建立和检验过程的定量研究,其结果必将推动整个地质科学的现代化。最后对我国开展相应研究提出了若干建议。

Geological science is extending its research field from resources exploration to environment prediction, from tracing back to looking ahead. Accordingly, the history of evolutionary changes in atmosphere and hydrosphere has become its direct object of study, along with the solid sphere of the Earth. New branches of geological science have emerged as times require, such as paleoceanography, paleolimnology, paleohydrology, paleoatmospheric chemistry, paleometeorology, etc. To meet the demands arisen from the new research field, it is to renew the methods and techniques we used to apply, amd to introduce a quantitative approach with a well defined system of data collection and treatment, with modelling and testing. All this will promota modernization of the geological science as a whole. The paper concludes with several suggestions concerning relevant research activities in China.