How to do Geology?

[FM Helldiver Radio]

I know how to find geological features on planets.

But what do i do with them?
Is there a way to make money?

[Agony_Aunt]

Geology? Not really. Basically they are decent for gathering materials.

Exobiology is where the money is at.

[Devilish Dave]

These structures such as volcanoes, geysers, etc.. you can scan using the composition scanner (Comp. Scanner) built into your ship or SRV.

If you are going down this route, I'd use the SRV, this way you can scan the geological sites, but also disembark and use the Artemis suit's scanner to scan organic life on the surface on foot.

The latter will give you much more money though if you're looking for money.

[Jeebs]

You can make a tiny bit of money by scanning them with the composition scanner but it's not really worth it, other than putting them into the codex. I think the most you get is 50k, if you're first one to log it. Usually it's 2,500 if it's been previously logged.

[frumple]

The money is in collecting biological samples.

Geological surverys are for fun only, and filling out your codex.

Use the Comp. scanner when you find geysers, fumaroles, etc. Point your ship or SRV turret at the thing and hold the fire button.
Assign the Comp. scanner to a fire group if you haven't already.

Micro commodities (ores) can be gathered near geological featurs. They are not worth credits but they are valuable. You use these in synthesis. For example FSD injections, or weapon reloads.

[FM Helldiver Radio]

The Comp. scanner just tells "no new traits found"

[Merkenjian]

Originally posted by FM Helldiver Radio:

The Comp. scanner just tells "no new traits found"

Then you have already scanned that type of geological feature. You can only scan one of each type per galactic sector if I remember correctly. You can see what you have and have not scanned on your codex on the right hand panel (default keyboard "4").

[frumple]

Correct. Each galactic sector contains it's own bunch of geo/bio/xeno features and stars/planets/anomalies.

You get a small cash bonus for scanning previously reported geological features, but you can only "discover" them once.

There are usually several different kinds of each feature. Different fumaroles, different vents, different bacteria, and so on.
You get a ton of money for bio samples from Vista Genomics but geological stuff doesn't pay nearly as much.