Lecture 1Introduction to Environmental

Geology

Course DescriptionCourse Description•• Environmental Geology is a general education course Environmental Geology is a general education course

that investigates the relationship between society and that investigates the relationship between society and the geologic environment. The three areas of study the geologic environment. The three areas of study will be: will be: 1) geologic hazards such as floods, 1) geologic hazards such as floods, landslides, volcanoes and earthquakes; landslides, volcanoes and earthquakes; 2) geologic 2) geologic resources such as metals, stone, fossil fuels, and resources such as metals, stone, fossil fuels, and water; and, water; and, 3) environmental challenges such as 3) environmental challenges such as waste disposal and ground water contamination. We waste disposal and ground water contamination. We will study these topics from a global perspective, will study these topics from a global perspective, paying particular attention to their importance in paying particular attention to their importance in Egypt. Egypt.

What is Environmental Geology?What is Environmental Geology?

• Geologic Hazards(earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc.)

• Geologic Resources(metals, stone, fossil fuels, water, etc.)

• Waste Disposal(sewage, solid waste, hazardous materials)

• Geologic Hazards(earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc.)

• Geologic Resources(metals, stone, fossil fuels, water, etc.)

• Waste Disposal(sewage, solid waste, hazardous materials)

TextbookTextbook

rd Ed3–Introduction to Environmental Geology -nd Ed2–Hazard City -

rd Ed3–Introduction to Environmental Geology -nd Ed2–Hazard City -

• 100,000 lives lost every year• Billions of dollars lost every year• 100,000 lives lost every year• Billions of dollars lost every year

Importance of Geologic HazardsImportance of Geologic Hazards

The more you know about a Key Point:geologic hazard, the greater your chances

of avoiding injury or loss.

The more you know about a Key Point:geologic hazard, the greater your chances

of avoiding injury or loss.

• 100,000 lives lost every year• Billions of lost dollars every year• 100,000 lives lost every year• Billions of lost dollars every year

Prevent Loss ThroughPrevent Loss Through

•Research to learn about hazards•Educating key decision makers•Educating the public•Land-use and development decisions

•Research to learn about hazards•Educating key decision makers•Educating the public•Land-use and development decisions

• 100,000 lives lost every year• Billions of lost dollars every year• 100,000 lives lost every year• Billions of lost dollars every year

• Geologic hazards are not random-striking events.

• They occur in specific places for specific reasons.

• If you can understand why they occur, you can predict where they will occur.

• Geologic hazards are not random-striking events.

• They occur in specific places for specific reasons.

• If you can understand why they occur, you can predict where they will occur.

The Keys to Environmental GeologyThe Keys to Environmental Geology

Three Weeks of EarthquakesThree Weeks of Earthquakes

Living with Geologic HazardsLiving with Geologic Hazards

• Zoning• Building Codes• Engineering• Insurance• Education

• Zoning• Building Codes• Engineering• Insurance• Education

What are Geology and What are Geology and Environmental Geology?Environmental Geology?

• Geology – (is the study of Earth) the study of the rocks that make up the earth's surface and interior, and the natural processes that shape the earth's surface over time. These processes include plate tectonics (i.e. continental drift), earthquakes, volcanism, landslides, and erosion, and other processes related to movement of the earth's surface or interior.

Environmental GeologyEnvironmental Geology•• Environmental GeologyEnvironmental Geology -- the study of Earth's natural systems and their the study of Earth's natural systems and their

interactions with humans. It is applied geology. interactions with humans. It is applied geology. •• -- Help solve conflicts in land useHelp solve conflicts in land use•• -- minimize environmental degradationminimize environmental degradation•• -- maximize the beneficial results of using our natural and modifimaximize the beneficial results of using our natural and modified environment.ed environment.•• -- Includes the study of:Includes the study of:•• -- Natural HazardsNatural Hazards (such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic activity(such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic activity) ) •• in order to minimize loss of life and property.in order to minimize loss of life and property.•• -- LandscapeLandscape for site selection, landfor site selection, land--use planning, use planning, and environmental impact and environmental impact •• analysisanalysis•• -- Earth MaterialsEarth Materials (such as minerals, rocks and soils) to determine their potentia(such as minerals, rocks and soils) to determine their potential l •• use as resources or waste disposal sites and their effects on huuse as resources or waste disposal sites and their effects on human health.man health.•• -- Hydrologic processesHydrologic processes of groundwater and surface water to evaluate water of groundwater and surface water to evaluate water •• resources and water pollution problems.resources and water pollution problems.•• -- Geological processesGeological processes (such as deposition of sediment on the ocean floor, the (such as deposition of sediment on the ocean floor, the •• formation of mountains, and the movement of water on and below tformation of mountains, and the movement of water on and below the he •• surface of the earth) to evaluate local, regional, and global chsurface of the earth) to evaluate local, regional, and global changeange

Environmental GeologyEnvironmental Geology• Environmental Geology - The study of the

interactions between geologic processes and the surface and near-surface environment, particularly where such interactions are influenced by or otherwise impact living organisms.

• Environmental Geology focuses on the relationship between humans and their Earth environment. It is the study of human interaction with the land, with all its sociological, economic and political ramifications

• Environmental geology as "applied" geology - brings collective geologic knowledge to bear on problems that are important to people. Examples will be provided throughout the course.

Environmental GeologyEnvironmental Geology• As citizens of Earth, we have a vital relationship with our

planet. While our population grows and our demands for resources increase, we place greater stress on the environment'sability to provide essential products and absorb waste materials.

• Environmental geology approaches these issues by considering the earth materials of landscapes, their physical and chemical processes, and the controls they exert on hydrologic, atmospheric and biologic processes.

• Environmental geology is a very diverse field. It encompasses natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, floods and volcanic eruptions; the engineering properties of Earth materials and problems involved in construction of structures such as dams, buildings and roads; coastal processes such as shoreline erosion and impacts of sea level rise, safe disposal of solid and liquid wastes; management of surface and ground water resources; and the impacts.

EnvironmentEnvironment••EnvironmentEnvironment –– total set of circumstances that total set of circumstances that surround an individual or community:surround an individual or community:

•• -- physical conditionsphysical conditions•• airair•• waterwater•• gasesgases•• landformslandforms•• -- social and cultural conditionssocial and cultural conditions•• ethicsethics•• economicseconomics•• aestheticsaesthetics

EnvironmentEnvironment•• Environmental Awareness:Environmental Awareness:•• -- the way we perceive and respond to our natural the way we perceive and respond to our natural

environmentenvironment•••• Environmental EthicsEnvironmental Ethics•• -- land ethic assumes we are the landland ethic assumes we are the land’’s citizens and s citizens and

protectors, not its conquerorsprotectors, not its conquerors•• -- we are responsible for the total environment, we have a we are responsible for the total environment, we have a

moralmoral responsibility to the landresponsibility to the land•• -- we are all brief tenants of this planet, yet humanity is an we are all brief tenants of this planet, yet humanity is an

integral part of the environmentintegral part of the environment•• -- We have a moral obligation to the present and future We have a moral obligation to the present and future

earth community to preserve and protect the environment.earth community to preserve and protect the environment.

Fundamental concepts of Fundamental concepts of environmental geologyenvironmental geology

·· Humans are agents of geological change. Humans are agents of geological change. ·· The Earth is unique. The Earth is unique. ·· The Earth is a closed system. The Earth is a closed system. ·· Materials and energy tend to cycle from one reservoir to anotheMaterials and energy tend to cycle from one reservoir to another. r. ·· The physical structure and chemical composition of the Earth afThe physical structure and chemical composition of the Earth affect our lives fect our lives in many different ways. in many different ways.

·· Geologic processes and human beings operate on different time sGeologic processes and human beings operate on different time scales. cales. ·· Hazardous geologic processes are natural and have always existeHazardous geologic processes are natural and have always existed. d. ·· Risk is characteristic of the humanRisk is characteristic of the human--planet relationship. planet relationship. ·· We are fundamentally dependent on Earth resources for the conduWe are fundamentally dependent on Earth resources for the conduct of ct of modern society. modern society.

·· Earth resources are limited. Earth resources are limited. ·· Earth resources can be managed properly in a sustainable fashioEarth resources can be managed properly in a sustainable fashion. n. ·· There is no "away" to throw things to; our garbage and pollutioThere is no "away" to throw things to; our garbage and pollution remains with n remains with us. us.

·· Managing the environment means managing human behavior. Managing the environment means managing human behavior. ·· Restoration and preservation are also part of the humanRestoration and preservation are also part of the human--planet relationship.planet relationship.

Concept one: Population GrowthConcept one: Population Growth••-- The number one environmental problem is excessive human populatThe number one environmental problem is excessive human population growth. ion growth. ••The reason this is true is because excessive numbers of humans iThe reason this is true is because excessive numbers of humans is the s the ••ultimate or proximate cause of all other environmental problems.ultimate or proximate cause of all other environmental problems. Another Another ••way to state this is that there were no environmental problems oway to state this is that there were no environmental problems on Earth n Earth ••before humans evolved, and there were no serious environmental before humans evolved, and there were no serious environmental ••problems while human populations were relatively small.problems while human populations were relatively small.••-- Human population is growing at an exponential rateHuman population is growing at an exponential rate-- each year, population increases at a each year, population increases at a constant percentage of the present population. constant percentage of the present population.

••-- 1960 1960 –– 2%/yr (pop. doubles in 36 years)2%/yr (pop. doubles in 36 years)••-- 1980 1980 –– 1.7%/yr (pop. doubles in 41 years1.7%/yr (pop. doubles in 41 years••-- 2000 2000 –– 1%/yr (pop. doubles in 72 years)1%/yr (pop. doubles in 72 years)••-- World population ~5.9 billion, Increases by ~94 million/yr, andWorld population ~5.9 billion, Increases by ~94 million/yr, and ~10,000 ~10,000 ••people are added each hour.people are added each hour.••-- Population growth is not evenly distributed:Population growth is not evenly distributed:•• -- highest rates in underdeveloped countries:highest rates in underdeveloped countries:•• -- Africa, Asia, Latin AmericaAfrica, Asia, Latin America•• -- it will be impossible to supply resources and a highit will be impossible to supply resources and a high--quality environmentquality environment in the in the 21st century for all the world21st century for all the world’’s populations population

•• -- Implications of Population growthImplications of Population growth

Concept one: Population GrowthConcept one: Population Growth•• -- ShortagesShortages•• -- food supplies, renewable, food supplies, renewable, ‘‘elasticelastic’’ within limitswithin limits•• -- mineral resources mineral resources –– not generally renewablenot generally renewable•• -- landland•• -- Changes in global environmentChanges in global environment•• -- deforestationdeforestation•• -- Amazon River basin: 1987 (3 million square miles deforested)Amazon River basin: 1987 (3 million square miles deforested)•• -- DesertificationDesertification•• -- overgrazingovergrazing•• -- salinizationsalinization by irrigationby irrigation•• -- overover--cultivationcultivation•• -- PollutionPollution•• -- SourcesSources•• IndividualIndividual•• IndustryIndustry•• -- TypesTypes•• -- Water PollutionWater Pollution•• -- persistent substances, DDT, mercury, leadpersistent substances, DDT, mercury, lead

-- nonpersistentnonpersistent substances, Organicssubstances, Organics•• -- Air pollutionAir pollution•• Primary types: CO2 hydrocarbons SO2 particulates NO2 NO3Primary types: CO2 hydrocarbons SO2 particulates NO2 NO3

Concept one: Population GrowthConcept one: Population Growth••-- Global warming and Ozone DepletionGlobal warming and Ozone Depletion•• -- Global warming Global warming –– climate changeclimate change•• -- Causes Causes •• -- CO2,CO2, -- Other gases, CH4, NO2, NO3Other gases, CH4, NO2, NO3•• -- effects:effects:•• -- temperature of atmosphere (Greenhouse effect)temperature of atmosphere (Greenhouse effect)•• -- Climate pattern changesClimate pattern changes•• -- coastal floodingcoastal flooding•• -- Ozone (O3) depletionOzone (O3) depletion•• -- Production in upper atmosphereProduction in upper atmosphere•• O2+EUV(sun) O2+EUV(sun) 2O, O+O2 2O, O+O2 O3O3•• -- Destruction caused by chlorofluorocarbonsDestruction caused by chlorofluorocarbons•• -- effects effects

-- skin cancer ratesskin cancer rates-- life on earthlife on earth

Concept one: Population GrowthConcept one: Population Growth

••-- The role of The role of EducationEducation is paramount in is paramount in the population problemthe population problem

••-- As people become educated, the As people become educated, the population growth rate is reduced.population growth rate is reduced.

Concept Two: SustainabilityConcept Two: Sustainability-- Sustainability is an environmental objectiveSustainability is an environmental objective•• --We must sustain our environmental resourcesWe must sustain our environmental resources•• -- We are concerned with the quality of the human environment, as We are concerned with the quality of the human environment, as earth processes earth processes will eventually will eventually ‘‘cleansecleanse’’ the natural environment by geologic processes.the natural environment by geologic processes.

•• -- Sustainable global economy (careful management and wise use of Sustainable global economy (careful management and wise use of the the ••planet and its resources)planet and its resources)•• -- Populations of humans and other organisms must live in harmony Populations of humans and other organisms must live in harmony ••with natural support systems such as air, water, and land.with natural support systems such as air, water, and land.•• -- An energy policy is needed that does not pollute, and cause cliAn energy policy is needed that does not pollute, and cause climatic changematic change•• -- A utilization plan or renewable resources such as water, forestA utilization plan or renewable resources such as water, forests, grasslands, s, grasslands, fisheries that does not deplete the resource or destroy the ecosfisheries that does not deplete the resource or destroy the ecosystemystem

•• -- A resource utilization plan for nonrenewable resources that doeA resource utilization plan for nonrenewable resources that does not damage the s not damage the global environment, and provides for future generationsglobal environment, and provides for future generations

•• -- A legal, social, and political system dedicated to sustainabiliA legal, social, and political system dedicated to sustainability ty ••and a socially just global economy.and a socially just global economy.•• -- To Achieve Sustainability:To Achieve Sustainability:•• -- Develop effective population control strategiesDevelop effective population control strategies•• -- Completely restructure our energy programsCompletely restructure our energy programs•• -- Institute social, legal, political, and educational changes thaInstitute social, legal, political, and educational changes that have heir t have heir goal the maintenance of a quality local, regional, and global engoal the maintenance of a quality local, regional, and global environmentvironment

•• -- Institute policies (economic, tax, etc.) that encourage populatInstitute policies (economic, tax, etc.) that encourage population ion control and wise use of resourcescontrol and wise use of resources

Concept Three: SystemsConcept Three: Systems••-- Understanding the earthUnderstanding the earth’’s systems and their changes is s systems and their changes is critical to solving environmental problems. critical to solving environmental problems.

••-- The earth is a system of systems:The earth is a system of systems:•• -- AtmosphereAtmosphere•• -- HydrosphereHydrosphere•• -- BiosphereBiosphere•• -- LithosphereLithosphere••-- Principle of environmental unity:Principle of environmental unity:••-- EVERYTHING AFFECTS EVERYTHING ELSEEVERYTHING AFFECTS EVERYTHING ELSE••-- The earth itself is an open system with respect to energy The earth itself is an open system with respect to energy (sun as source)(sun as source)

••-- The earth is a closed system with respect to natural The earth is a closed system with respect to natural cyclescycles

Concept Four: Limitation of ResourcesConcept Four: Limitation of Resources

-- The earth is the only suitable habitat we The earth is the only suitable habitat we have, and its resources are limitedhave, and its resources are limited•• -- Two major views:Two major views:••-- Finding resources is not so much a Finding resources is not so much a problems as is finding ways to use them, problems as is finding ways to use them, Resources are where you find them.Resources are where you find them.

••-- Finite resources cannot support an Finite resources cannot support an exponential increase of people forever.exponential increase of people forever.

Concept Five: Concept Five: UniformitarianismUniformitarianism

-- The physical processes modifying or landscape The physical processes modifying or landscape today have operated throughout today have operated throughout ••much of geologic time. However, the magnitude much of geologic time. However, the magnitude and frequency of these and frequency of these ••processes are subject to natural and artificially processes are subject to natural and artificially induced change.induced change.••-- Originally proposed by James Hutton in late Originally proposed by James Hutton in late 17001700’’s. s. ••-- Commonly stated as Commonly stated as ““ the present is the key to the present is the key to the pastthe past””••-- Also true is Also true is ““the present is the key to the futurethe present is the key to the future””

Concept Six: Hazardous Earth ProcessesConcept Six: Hazardous Earth Processes

••-- There have always been earth processes that There have always been earth processes that are hazardous to people. These natural are hazardous to people. These natural hazards must be recognized and avoided hazards must be recognized and avoided when possible and their threat to human life when possible and their threat to human life and property minimized.and property minimized.

Concept Seven: Aesthetic ConsiderationsConcept Seven: Aesthetic Considerations

••-- Both landBoth land-- and waterand water--use planning should use planning should strive to obtain a balance between strive to obtain a balance between ••economic considerations and the less tangible economic considerations and the less tangible variables such as aesthetics.variables such as aesthetics.•• -- there are there are scenicscenic values.values.

Concept Eight: Our Obligation to the Concept Eight: Our Obligation to the FutureFuture

-- The effects of land use tend to be cumulative, and The effects of land use tend to be cumulative, and therefore we have an therefore we have an ••obligation to those who follow us.obligation to those who follow us.••-- the entire surface of the earth has been altered by the entire surface of the earth has been altered by human activityhuman activity••-- human activity (agriculture, urbanization, mining) human activity (agriculture, urbanization, mining) moves more soil and rock per year than any other moves more soil and rock per year than any other natural process natural process –– 40 40 –– 45 45 gigatonsgigatons (billion tons)(billion tons)••-- must develop conservation practices that provide must develop conservation practices that provide soil for the future generationssoil for the future generations

Concept Nine: Geology as a Basic Concept Nine: Geology as a Basic Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science

-- The fundamental component of every personThe fundamental component of every person’’s s environment is the geologic environment is the geologic ••component, and understanding our component, and understanding our environment requires a broadenvironment requires a broad--based based ••comprehension and appreciation of he earth comprehension and appreciation of he earth sciences and related disciplines.sciences and related disciplines.

Why is Environmental Geology Why is Environmental Geology Important?Important?

• Concept of "Spaceship Earth"- near zero net flux of material onto and off from planet implies that resources are finite. In the past 20 years, the sheer numbers of humans and their increasing demand for material goods have done the following:

• Lead to severe degradation of the natural environment that supplies our renewable resources such as food, wood, and water.

• Lead to rapid exhaustion of non-renewable resources • Placed humans in competition with other species for

basic resources such as space, food, and water. • Forced humans to live in areas of significant natural

hazards.

Collision Course of Humans and Collision Course of Humans and the Environmentthe Environment

• One emphasis of this course is the rapid increase in human population and migration of people into geologically hazardous environments about which they understand little or nothing. Examples include building in areas prone to hurricanes (i.e. 100,00 people left southern Florida in the year after Hurricane Andrew blasted Dade County), urban development in earthquake-prone regions such as Los Angeles County, overbuilding in the flood plains of major rivers, development in areas of high coastal erosion, and building in areas where the land surface is unstable. These topics concern the exposure of large populations to infrequent, large-scale catastrophes.

Collision Course of Humans and Collision Course of Humans and the Environmentthe Environment

• Some of this course will focus on the slow, small-scale processes such as loss of top-soil through poor farming practices and the resultant decline in food production that affects many people. We often fail to notice or heed subtle warning signs from our environment until they reach crisis proportions and begin to degrade the quality of life of many more people than are ever affected by catastrophic events.

Population and ResourcesPopulation and Resources• Population now stands at 5.6 billion, over double that

of 1950. It took humanity until 1830 to reach a total population of 1 billion, 1930 to reach 2 billion (100 year interval), 1960 to reach 3 billion (30 year interval), 1975 to reach 4 billion (15 year interval), 1986 to reach 5 billion (11 years), and ~1998 to reach 6 billion (12 years). Every year, ~90 million new people must be supported, equivalent to a nation the size of Mexico. The additional resources required to sustain the additional people at even a minimal level of existence is staggering. Since 1984, global grain production has increased at a level of 12 million tons per year, only one-third the 38 million tons per year of additional grain required by existing population growth over the same period.

Population and ResourcesPopulation and Resources• Even as population increases, requiring more

food, clean water, and resources, the space required by and waste generated by additional people takes the farmland required to feed them, drives species into extinction, impoverishes our biological heritage, and pollutes our environment. Current estimates are for 25% of all species to go extinct in the next few decades. Such a loss of biological diversity has been exceeded only once in the earth's 4 billion year history.

What we are leaving for other What we are leaving for other species?species?

• Stanford U. biologists estimate that earth's potential annual production of all biological matter is 150 billion tons. Man has directly destroyed 12% of that through pollution, urbanization, and deforestation, and utilizes over 25% of the remainder directly for food and other material production. The human species thus now diverts 40% of planetary biological production for its own use, raising serious questions about what we are leaving for other species.

Everyone must understand the term Everyone must understand the term "carrying"carrying--capacitycapacity

•• Ultimately, everyone must understand the term Ultimately, everyone must understand the term "carrying"carrying--capacity", which is the number of people in capacity", which is the number of people in a given area that can be supported by its environment a given area that can be supported by its environment at some predefined standard of living. If we were to at some predefined standard of living. If we were to strive for a standard of living comparable to that in strive for a standard of living comparable to that in the U.S., the earth has enough resources to support the U.S., the earth has enough resources to support roughly half the present global population of 5.6 roughly half the present global population of 5.6 billion. At present, as many as 40% of the people on billion. At present, as many as 40% of the people on earth live in poverty and the earth's natural resource earth live in poverty and the earth's natural resource base is so diminished and overbase is so diminished and over--exploited that the exploited that the prospect of increasing production enough to give prospect of increasing production enough to give everyone an adequate standard of living often seems everyone an adequate standard of living often seems dismal . dismal .

Everyone must understand the term Everyone must understand the term "carrying"carrying--capacitycapacity

• The encroachment of humanity on wildlife habitat and general decrease of open, quiet space raises serious philosophical questions about the obvious tradeoffs between maximum carrying capacity and the right of other species to exist as well as the innate human need for undisturbed, quiet natural places

Teaching GoalsTeaching Goals• Facing these gloomy statistics, why aren't we all just

sipping margaritas on the beach and waiting for the end of the world? Because it is human nature to face challenges. For us, the challenge this semester is to give you a much better understanding of important physical processes in geology, their impacts on humans, and ways in which humans can mitigate natural hazards. We also will discuss resource issues that I believe will dominate the political and social arena during our lifetimes, and we'll discuss the positive role that individuals and institutions such as the government can play in issues regarding resource conservation and hazard mitigation

ObjectivesObjectives

•• 1. To give you the tools to become a better steward of 1. To give you the tools to become a better steward of Earth, and a more constructive manager of the land Earth, and a more constructive manager of the land and its population.and its population.

•• 2. To be educated enough to know the right questions 2. To be educated enough to know the right questions to ask when faced with environmental issues. to ask when faced with environmental issues.

•• 3. To learn to access information and tell the 3. To learn to access information and tell the difference between reliable and unreliable difference between reliable and unreliable information. information.

•• 4. To depict the role of Geologists in today's society. 4. To depict the role of Geologists in today's society.

Objectives Objectives •• 5. To present knowledge that will be useful for life, 5. To present knowledge that will be useful for life,

whether forming opinions on environmental issues, whether forming opinions on environmental issues, selecting a home site or other property, evaluating a selecting a home site or other property, evaluating a business, or appreciating and understanding your business, or appreciating and understanding your surroundings. surroundings.

•• 6. To sharpen your observational skills and expand 6. To sharpen your observational skills and expand your horizons by introducing you to the complexities your horizons by introducing you to the complexities of geologic systems and processes, and developing of geologic systems and processes, and developing your ability to "see" in three dimensions. your ability to "see" in three dimensions.

•• 7. To prepare you to consider many environmental 7. To prepare you to consider many environmental issues facing society, such as resource utilization, issues facing society, such as resource utilization, water use and conservation, and landwater use and conservation, and land--use planning. use planning.

Learning OutcomesLearning Outcomes• Understanding of the terrestrial foundation on which

societies are built. • An understanding of the vastness of geologic time,

and the varying rates of geologic processes. • To understand the occurrence of natural hazards and

methods of hazard mitigation.• An understanding of the range of scales of geologic

problems, from the global to the microscopic. • Appreciation that Earth resources are limited and

Earth has a limited capacity to sustain life. • A better appreciation of Earth's beauty.