Journal profile · Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Geological Journal
ISSN 0072-1050 · eISSN 1099-1034 · John Wiley and Sons Ltd · ENGLAND · Tri-annual
Geological Journal: CAS Zone 4 · Earth Sciences (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2.6; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,540; median 134 days to acceptance (118 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: fairly easy; 334 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Geological Journal is published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd and is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Geological and Geochemical Analysis, earthquake and tectonic studies and Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping, together about 39.5% of its articles. Its main subfields are Geophysics. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Geological Journal publishes interdisciplinary research across all branches of the geological sciences, including sedimentology and geomorphology, palaeontology, Quaternary geology and environmental change, tectonics and structural geology, geochemistry and geochronology, igneous and metamorphic geology, resources, environment and sustainability, conventional, unconventional alternate energy, geohazards, and artificial intelligence in gesociences among other themes. The journal encourages original research papers on regional case studies with conclusions of general interest and also publishes Special Issues or thematic issues on frontier themes. Geological Journal aims to promote publications that present innovative models, original research results and insightful synthesis in the various branches of the Geological Sciences through original research papers and review articles. The journal also publishes Special Issues and thematic sections on frontier topics of global interest. The Journal has a particular interest in publishing papers on regional case studies that lead to interpretations, correlations and conclusions of global interest to the multidisciplinary audience of the journal. Some of the major topics covered by the journal are as follows: Sedimentology and Geomorphology - facies analysis, regional sedimentary environments, basin analysis, process of sedimentation, general palaeogeographic reconstruction, diagenesis. [facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy, basin analysis, palaeography, diagenesis, especially in petroleum geology.] Palaeontology - macroevolution, extinctions, biostratigraphy, palaeoecology, functional morphology, biogeography, evolution, taphonomony, ichnology. Quaternary Geology and Environmental Change - recent climate and sea-level change, Quaternary fossils, glaciations. Tectonics and Structural Geology - including structural geology, strain analysis, fabrics, global tectonics, experimental deformation, Neotectonics, geophysics. Geochemistry and Geochronology - stable and unstable isotope studies, major and trace element studies, genetic geochemical modelling, fluid - rock interaction, applied geochemistry. Metamorphic Geology - regional studies, determination of T/P , fluid composition, crystallization paths, history of burial and uplift of large metamorphic areas. Volcanic and Igneous Geology - regional studies of igneous provinces, magma genesis, magma composition, magmatic product, igneous centres, petrological studies. Re
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Editor-in-chief Ian D. SomervillePublisher website
Editorial board by country: 11 in mainland China (about 42%); most named Mainland China 11, India 6, Ireland 2, Romania 2, Italy 1 (26 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Geological and Geochemical AnalysisEarth and Planetary Sciences18.9%
- earthquake and tectonic studiesEarth and Planetary Sciences11.1%
- Geochemistry and Geologic MappingComputer Science9.5%
- Geology and Paleoclimatology ResearchEarth and Planetary Sciences9.4%
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsEarth and Planetary Sciences8%
- Geological formations and processesEarth and Planetary Sciences7.5%
- High-pressure geophysics and materialsEarth and Planetary Sciences6.9%
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysisEngineering5.3%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Earth Sciences Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Geosciences, Multidisciplinary | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Earth Sciences Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Geosciences, Multidisciplinary | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Earth Sciences Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Geosciences, Multidisciplinary | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
Web of ScienceINSPECCASGeoRefCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: ProQuest, Astrophysics Data System
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 2.6LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 2.6Publisher website ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 2.6Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 10.8LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 10.8Publisher website ·
- CiteScore (publisher) 2025
- 10.8Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.51LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.75LetPub ·
- h-index
- 46LetPub ·
- h-index
- 87OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 1,909OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 1.87OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 7.7%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 6.05%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 308LetPub ·
- Articles per year (publisher)
- 2Publisher website ·
- Articles per year (publisher) 2025
- 309Publisher website ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 251,316Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 5,680 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 328 | 52 | 72 |
| 2025 | 334 | 81 | 646 |
| 2024 | 204 | 71 | 904 |
| 2023 | 261 | 98 | 2,408 |
| 2022 | 312 | 19 | 2,112 |
| 2021 | 312 | 15 | 2,200 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
134 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 83 days – 205 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 17 days (118 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 153 days
- Sample
- 118 articles with submission and acceptance dates (692 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- over 12 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- Fairly easyLetPub ·
- Acceptance rate (publisher)
- 38%Publisher website ·
- Acceptance rate (publisher) 2025
- 38%Publisher website ·
- Submission to first decision
- 26 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to first decision 2025
- 26 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance 2025
- 155 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication 2025
- 18 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer review, Open peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,540 / EUR 2,950 / GBP 2,370 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | Yes, amount not published | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare6 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- ≤ 7
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 12,000 words
- Reference style
- Author–date
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
- Graphical abstract
- Required
Article types accepted2
- discussion papersDiscussion papers on articles published previously in the journal are most welcome.Length not stated
- editorialThe acceptance criteria for all papers are the quality and originality of the research and its significance to journal readership. Except where otherwise stated…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review
- AI use Artificial Intelligence Generated Content
Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) tools—such as ChatGPT and others based on large language models (LLMs)—cannot be considered capable of initiating an original piece of research without direction by human authors. They also cannot be accountable for a published work or for research design, which is a generally held requirement of authorship (as discussed in the previous section), no…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Conflict of Interest
The journal requires that all authors disclose any potential sources of conflict of interest. Any interest or relationship, financial or otherwise that might be perceived as influencing an author's objectivity is considered a potential source of conflict of interest. These must be disclosed when directly relevant or directly related to the work that the authors describe in their manuscript. Potent…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability 6. DATA SHARING AND AVAILABILITY
Expects data sharing; data availability statement required Model summary
This journal expects data sharing. Review Wiley’s Data Sharing policy where you will be able to see and select the data availability statement that is right for your submission.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics Publication Ethics
Member of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Model summary
This journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Read the Top 10 Publishing Ethics Tips for Authors here. Wiley’s Publication Ethics Guidelines can be found at authorservices.wiley.com/ethics-guidelines/index.html.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Reproduction of Copyright Material
If excerpts from copyrighted works owned by third parties are included, credit must be shown in the contribution. It is the author’s responsibility to also obtain written permission for reproduction from the copyright owners.Geological Journal's content often includes regional, national, continental or global maps. We recognize there are disputes over borders and territories, which may be directly…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access OnlineOpen – The Open Access Option for Authors
Want to publish your article and have everyone read your research?To find out the details of how Open Access with Wiley allows you to comply with funder mandates and to gain greater visibility and impact whilst publishing in your journal of choice, click this link: www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/onlineopen.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review
Single-blind peer review Model summary
Except where otherwise stated, manuscripts are single-blind peer reviewed.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons Ltd
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Tri-annual
- ISSN
- 0072-1050
- Electronic ISSN
- 1099-1034
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 61, Issue 9 (September 2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Geological Journal
What CAS zone is Geological Journal in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Geological Journal is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Geosciences, Multidisciplinary. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Geological Journal?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.6; CiteScore 10.8, h-index 87.
How long does peer review take at Geological Journal?
Based on the dates recorded on 118 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 134 days (interquartile range 83–205 days); authors report an average review time of over 12 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Fairly easy”; the journal's website gives an acceptance rate of 38% (2025). Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Geological Journal?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: ≤ 7; Manuscript length: ≤ 12,000 words; Reference style: Author–date; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not required; Graphical abstract: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Geological Journal based?
Of the 26 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 11 (about 42%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Mainland China (11), India (6) and Ireland (2). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Geological Journal?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Geological Journal is indexed in SCIE and Scopus. The journal's website also lists Web of Science, INSPEC, CAS, GeoRef and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Geological Journal open access, and what is the APC?
Geological Journal is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,540.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .