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Environmental impacts
Geologic Hazards
7.9
High Growth
Medium Growth
Low Growth
2%
1%
Contamination and
global warming will
only exacerbate the
problem
Overuse of Geologic Resources
(Geology in the News)
1.7 billion are joining the “consumer class”
and the environment can’t sustain this
standard of living. (Worldwatch Institute, 2004)
Alternative sources
Coal (emissions?)
Nuclear (waste?)
Renewable (lagging
technology?)
CO2 concentration
is higher than all
maximums during
the past 500,000
years
Surface water
Lakes
Streams
Groundwater
Springs
Aquifers
(extracted by
pumping wells)
Water Cycle Storage and Transfer
Storage In 106 km3
Transfer in 106 km3/yr
Fresh Water Withdrawal Trends
Fresh Water Withdrawal Trends
The Cradle of Civilization
Sprung from geology of the region
http://encarta.msn.com/
World of Geology
Geological Resources
The Cradle of
Civilization (Fertile
Crescent)
Development
limited by
availability, e.g.,
soil, water, energy
Conflicts based on
resources, e.g.,
water, minerals, oil,
energy… http://encarta.msn.com/
Geologic Resources
Mineral Resources:
metals, fertilizers,
minerals, petroleum,
construction
Geologic Resources
Mineral Resources:
metals, fertilizers,
minerals, petroleum,
construction
Water resources:
Lakes, Rivers, Springs,
Groundwater
Geologic Resources
Mineral Resources:
e.g., Metals, fertilizers,
minerals, petroleum,
construction
Water resources:
e.g., Lakes, Rivers,
Springs, Groundwater
Energy:
e.g., Oil, natural gas, coal,
nuclear, silicon,
hydroelectric (dams),
hydrothermal (Earth’s heat)
Geologic Resources
The Geologist’s Job
Locating and
Characterizing
quantity and quality of
geologic resources
Extracting geologic
resources efficiently
Assessing
environmental effects of
extraction and use
E.g., Misuse of Resources
Misuse of Resources
Desiccation of the Aral Sea, Kazakhstan
See Page 6
Aral Sea
Over Time
1980
2000
2005
1957
1977
1982
1984
1993
2000
www.grida.no/aral/aralsea/english/arsea/arsea.htm
Environmental Geology
Environmental Sciences:
How we influence the earth
Geologic Hazards
Two die in 6.5
magnitude
Earthquake near
San Lois Obispo
California
Earthquake triggers
mudslides
Assessing Risk
“Major Quake Likely to
Strike San Francisco
Bay Region Between
2003 and 2032”
Geologic Hazards
• Assessing Risks
• Avoiding Risks
• Preventing Damage
• Predicting Impact
(http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/research/seismology/wg02/
Earthquake Photos
from AP
Bam, Iran
A Magnitude 6.5
Earthquake hits a
stone- and mud-
house city of
100,000 in Iran 12-
26-03
30,000 Dead
30,000 Refugees
US sends aid and
releases sanctions
Relations improved
Geological Hazards
Volcanoes (pg. 108)
Floods (see pgs., 284)
Earthquakes
(pg. 202)
Geology in Engineering
Slope Failure Risk Assessment and Control