Environmental geology

Cover
Environmental Geology
Dedication
Brief Contents
Contents
Preface
Key Features
Acknowledgments
Meet the Author
PART ONE Fundamentals of Environmental Geology
	Chapter 1 Humans and the Geologic Environment
		Introduction
		What Is Geology?
		Scientific Inquiry
			How Science Operates
			Science and Society
		Environmental Geology
		Environmental Problems and Time Scales
			Geologic Time
			Environmental Risk and Human Reaction
		Earth as a System
		The Earth and Human Population
			Population Growth
			Limits to Growth
			Sustainability
			Ecological Footprint
		CASE STUDY 1.1 Collapse of a Society Living Unsustainably
		Environmentalism
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 2 Earth from a Larger Perspective
		Introduction
		Our Solar System
			The Sun
			The Planets
			Comets and Asteroids
			The Moon
		Origin of the Solar System
			The Nebular Hypothesis
			How Reliable Is the Nebular Hypothesis?
		Other Stars in the Universe
		Does Life Exist Beyond Earth?
			Life on Earth
			Habitable Zones
		CASE STUDY 2.1 Searching for Life on Mars
			Possible Intelligent Life
		Solar System Hazards
			Electromagnetic Radiation
			Asteroid and Comet Impacts
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 3 Earth Materials
		Introduction
		Basic Building Blocks
			Atoms and Elements
			Minerals
			Rocks
		Rock-Forming Minerals
		Igneous Rocks
		Weathering Processes
			Physical Weathering
			Chemical Weathering
		Sedimentary Rocks
			Detrital Rocks
			Chemical Rocks
		Metamorphic Rocks
		The Rock Cycle
		Rocks as Indicators of the Past
		CASE STUDY 3.1 Early Earth History as Told by  Our Oldest Rocks
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 4 Earth’s Structure and Plate Tectonics
		Introduction
		Deformation of Rocks
		Earth’s Interior
			Earth’s Structure
			Earth’s Magnetic Field
			Earth’s Internal Heat
		Developing the Theory of Plate Tectonics
			Continental Drift
			Mapping the Ocean Floor
			Magnetic Studies
			Location of Earthquakes
			Polar Wandering
		Plate Tectonics and the Earth System
			Types of Plate Boundaries
			Movement of Plates
			Surface Features and Plate Boundaries
			Plate Tectonics and People
		CASE STUDY 4.1 Biogeography and Plate Tectonics
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
PART TWO Hazardous Earth Processes
	Chapter 5 Earthquakes and Related Hazards
		Introduction
		How Earthquakes Occur
		Earthquake Waves
			Types of Seismic Waves
			Measuring Seismic Waves
			Locating the Epicenter and Focus
		Measuring the Strength of Earthquakes
			Intensity Scale
			Magnitude Scales
			Magnitude and Ground Shaking
		Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
			Earthquake Magnitude and Frequency
			Transform Boundaries—San Andreas Fault
			Convergent Boundaries—Cascadia Subduction Zone
			Intraplate Earthquakes—North American Plate
		Earthquake Hazards and Humans
			Seismic Waves and Human Structures
			Factors That Affect Ground Shaking
			Secondary Earthquake Hazards
			Predicting Earthquakes
		CASE STUDY 5.1 Vertical Evacuations—An Important Lesson from Japan
		Reducing Earthquake Risks
			Seismic Engineering
			Early Warning Systems
			Planning and Education
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 6 Volcanoes and Related Hazards
		Introduction
		Nature of Volcanic Activity
			Magma and Plate Tectonics
			Volcanic Eruptions
			Volcanic Landforms
		CASE STUDY 6.1 Hawaiian and Yellowstone  Hot Spots
		Volcanic Hazards
			Lava Flows
			Explosive Blasts
			Pyroclastic Flows
		CASE STUDY 6.2 Explosive Blast of Mount St. Helens
			Volcanic Ash
			Mass Wasting on Volcanoes
			Volcanic Gases
			Tsunamis
		Predicting Eruptions and Minimizing the Risks
			Predictive Tools
			Early Warning and Evacuation
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 7 Mass Wasting and Related Hazards
		Introduction
		Slope Stability and Triggering  Mechanisms
			Nature of Slope Material
			Oversteepened Slopes
			Water Content
			Climate and Vegetation
			Earthquakes and Volcanic Activity
		Types of Mass Wasting Hazards
			Falls
			Slides
			Slump
			Flows
		CASE STUDY 7.1 Recurrent Mass Wasting at La Conchita, California
			Creep
			Snow Avalanche
		CASE STUDY 7.2 Mass Wasting Tragedy at Oso, Washington
			Submarine Mass Wasting
		Subsidence
			Collapse
			Gradual Subsidence
		Reducing the Risks of Mass Wasting
			Recognizing and Avoiding the Hazard
			Engineering Controls
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 8 Streams and Flooding
		Introduction
		Role of Streams in the Earth  System
			Stream Discharge
			Drainage Networks and Basins
			Stream Erosion, Transport, and Deposition
			River Valleys and Floodplains
		Flooding and Flood Hazards
			Measuring the Severity of Floods
			Frequency of Floods
			Natural Factors That Affect Flooding
			Types of Floods
		Human Activity and Flooding
		CASE STUDY 8.1 Levees and the Disastrous 2005  Flood in New Orleans
			Land-Use Factors That Affect Flooding
			Ways to Reduce the Impact of Floods
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 9 Coastal Hazards
		Introduction
		Shoreline Characteristics
		Coastal Processes
			Tides
			Currents
			Waves
			Wave Refraction and Longshore Currents
			Shoreline Evolution
			Barrier Islands
		Coastal Hazards and Mitigation
			Hurricanes and Ocean Storms
			Tsunamis
		CASE STUDY 9.1 New Orleans and the Next Hurricane Katrina
			Rip Currents
			Shoreline Retreat
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
PART THREE Earth Resources
	Chapter 10 Soil Resources
		Introduction
		Formation of Soils
			Weathering
			Development of Soil Horizons
			Soil Color, Texture, and Structure
			Soil-Forming Factors
		Classification of Soils
			Soil Science Classification
			Engineering Classification
		Human Activity and Soils
			Soil Properties
			Soil as a Resource
			Soil Loss and Mitigation
		CASE STUDY 10.1 Lessons Learned from the 1930s Dust Bowl
			Salinization of Soils
			Soils with Hardpans
			Permafrost
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 11 Water Resources
		Introduction
		Earth’s Hydrologic Cycle
			Where Freshwater Is Found
			Human Use of Freshwater
		Traditional Sources of Freshwater
			Surface Water Resources
		CASE STUDY 11.1 Off-Stream Water Usage and the Aral Sea Disaster
			Groundwater Resources
		CASE STUDY 11.2 Groundwater Mining in the Breadbasket of the United States
			Selecting a Water-Supply Source
		Alternative Sources of Freshwater
			Desalination
			Reclaimed or Recycled Wastewater
			Aquifer Storage and Recovery
			Rainwater Harvesting
			Conservation
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 12 Mineral and Rock Resources
		Introduction
		Minerals and People
		Economic Mineral Deposits
			Resources and Reserves
		Geology of Mineral Resources
			Igneous Processes
			Metamorphic Processes
			Sedimentary Processes
		CASE STUDY 12.1 Asbestos: A Miracle Fiber Turned Deadly
		Mining and Processing of Minerals
			Mining Techniques
			Mineral Processing
		Distribution and Supply of Mineral Resources
			Meeting Future Demand for Minerals
			Recycling and Reuse
		Environmental Impacts and Mitigation
			Heavy Metals and Acid Drainage
			Processing of Ores
			Collapse and Subsidence
			Abandoned Mine Hazards
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 13 Conventional Fossil Fuel Resources
		Introduction
		Human Use of Energy
			Energy Conversions
			Renewable versus Nonrenewable Energy
			Historical Energy Usage
		Coal
			Environmental Impacts of Mining Coal
			Environmental Impacts of Using Coal
		Petroleum
			Origin of Petroleum
			Petroleum Deposits
			Exploration and Production Wells
			Petroleum Refining
			Environmental Impacts of Petroleum
		Current Energy Supply and Demand
			Economic Development and Energy Demand
		CASE STUDY 13.1 Controversy Over Hydraulic Fracturing and  Tight Oil and Gas Development
			Types of Energy We Consume
			Where Fossil Fuels Are Located
		The Future Energy Crisis
			Peak Oil Theory
			Past the Oil Peak
		Avoiding the Energy Crisis
			Replacements for Conventional Oil
			Increasing Supply by Reducing Demand
			Strategy for Living Past Peak Oil
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
	Chapter 14 Alternative Energy Resources
		Introduction
		Nonconventional Fossil Fuels
			Synthetic Fuels from Coal
			Heavy Oils and Oil Sands
			Oil Shale
			Gas Hydrates
		Carbon-Free and Renewable Fuels
			Biofuels
			Hydroelectric Power
			Nuclear Power
		CASE STUDY 14.1 Older Technology for the Next Generation of Nuclear Reactors?
			Solar Power
			Wind Power
			Geothermal Power
			Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
			Tidal Power
		Conservation
		Post-Petroleum World
			Transportation Systems
			Generating Electricity in the Future
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
PART FOUR The Health of Our Environment
	Chapter 15 Pollution and Waste Disposal
		Introduction
			Historical Waste Disposal
			U.S. Environmental Laws
		Pollution and Contamination
		Movement of Pollutants in Water
		Solid Waste Disposal
			Municipal and Industrial Solid Waste
			Solid Hazardous Waste
			Scrap Tires
		Liquid Waste Disposal
			Liquid Hazardous Waste
			Human Waste
		Agricultural and Urban Activity
			Agricultural Chemicals
			Animal Wastes
			Sediment Pollution
		Radioactive Waste Disposal
			Radiation Hazard
			The Disposal Problem
		CASE STUDY 15.1 Long-Term Storage of Nuclear Waste in the United States
		Air Pollutants and Fallout
			Acid Rain
			Mercury Fallout
			Radon Gas
		SUMMARY POINTS
		KEY WORDS
		APPLICATIONS
	Chapter 16 Global Climate Change
		Introduction
		Earth’s Climate System
			Solar Energy
			The Greenhouse Effect
			Variations in Earth’s Orbit
			Feedback Mechanisms
		Earth’s Past and Future Climate
			Climate Models
			Ways of Studying Earth’s Past Climate
			Lessons from the Past
			Future of Our Climate System
		Consequences of Global Warming
			Changing Weather Patterns and Biomes
			Melting Ice and Permafrost
			Acidification of Oceans
		Mitigation of Climate Change
			Strategy for Reducing Emissions
			The Future
		Summary Points
		Key Words
		Applications
Appendix
Glossary
Index