Environmental geology [Third edition.] 9780078022968, 0078022967

Table of contents :
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