Backseat Geologist
Your Personal Geology Guide
Only for iPhone
Free · In‑App Purchases · Designed for iPhone. Not verified for macOS.
iPhone
Ever wanted a geologist to ride along and explain what's outside your window?
Being a geologist myself, I went on vacation and wished I had someone to read geologic map descriptions as we drove across the countryside. When I got home, I started working on Backseat Geologist to do just that!
Backseat Geologist will give you audio descriptions of the rocks below your feet or wheels as you travel.
- Browse the geologic map and tap around to see details about the geologic units that are near you
- Start an Explore session and get updates on the geology below you as you move around
- Overlook Mode scans the geology of what you can see and tells you all about it
- Create Routes to listen to the geologic story of your commute, road trip, or family outing. Routes combine the context of each geologic unit you pass to create a more cohesive set of descriptions.
- Routes can be saved offline for areas with bad service
- Long tap on the map to drop a pin and tap again to create a route to that location
- Adjust descriptions for any audience from kids to geology enthusiasts
- Geology data is powered by Macrostrat and USGS geologic databases
- Explore Points of Interest of recently active volcanoes and historic earthquakes
- Choose between different base maps
- View regional stratigraphic columns
- Audio plays from the background and doesn't interfere with navigation or other apps
- Works well with other playing audio like music or podcasts
- Widget for the geology of your current location
- App Intent gives Siri access to geology information from the app without opening it. Say "Hey Siri, use Backseat Geologist"
Premium and Max users get:
- Improved audio quality
- Topographic map background layer option
- Download geologic map tiles and data for areas of the map to use offline
- Custom route creation
- Import GPX files in custom routes
- See further in Overlook Mode
Download Backseat Geologist and discover the millions and billions of years of earth history rolling by your window.
If you find any bugs or issues please contact me at support@backseatgeologist.com
Privacy Policy: https://backseatgeologist.com/privacy-policy
Terms of Service: https://backseatgeologist.com/terms-of-service
End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Minor tweaks, bug fixes, and performance improvements
The developer, Blake Morgan, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
- Location
- Usage Data
- Diagnostics
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Blake Morgan
- Size
- 33 MB
- Category
- Navigation
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 17.6 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 17.6 or later. - Mac
Requires macOS 14.6 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
- iPhone
- Location
- This app may use your location even when it isn’t open, which can decrease device battery life.
- Languages
- English
- Age Rating
4+
- 4+
- In-App Purchases
Yes
- Premium Monthly $1.99
- Max Monthly $4.99
- Premium Annual $17.99
- Max Annual $39.99
- Seward Highway $4.99
- Copyright
- © 2026 Blake Morgan
