Geology is the science that investigates the history of the crust of the earth, from the earliest times to the commencement of the historical period. Geology deals with the composition, arrangement, and origins of the rocks of the earth's crust, and with the processes involved in the evolution of its present structure.

South Africa has many sites of unique geological importance as diverse as the Drakensberg Mountain Range and the platinum ores of the Bushveld Complex. The formation of the various rocks can largely be ascribed to three processes:

Sedimentary rock is formed from material that has over many years, sometimes millions of years, been laid down by wind and water erosion. The rivers carry the soil to the ocean where it is deposited. Over millions of years the sediment compacts, and due to heat and other factors, form into rock. Sandstone, limestone and shale are examples of sedimentary rock.

Igneous rock is formed from lava or volcanic activity. The molten rock cools at different rates, causing a variety of rock types to form. Sometimes the rock cools extremely slowly and thus remains underground. Diamonds may form under such conditions. Granite, basalt and andesite are examples of igneous rock formations.

Metaphorphic rock forms when the rock that has already formed due to either lava activity or sedimentation is reformed under extreme heat and pressure. A good example of this in South Africa are the folded mountains of the Cape where the sandstone formations were turned on their side by pressure and heat, thus forming quartzite. Gneiss, quartzite and schist are examples of metamorphic rock formations.

All other rock formations are formed due to a combination of these three processes.

Apart from protecting important natural geological sites, rare valuable specimens such as fossils, minerals, and meteorites, must also be protected.

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