(This blog will be written in the perspective of myself on January 7th, 2024 when I had not learned any course material on the subject of Environmental Geology)

Understanding of Environmental Problems

Basically an environmental problem is when something from the environment disturbs other aspects in a negative way. Such as the following:

  • A landslide that cuts off bodies of water.
  • Earthquake causing a fault.
  • Water running over rocks that may produce acid rock drainage.

These problems can vary in size and hazard, and affect some things differently than others.

Why are they complex?

They are complex because they have various factors such as social, economic, political, geological, and biological domains in which a change in one of these aspects could trigger effects across all of them. Human activities such as urbanization and resource extraction have caused some bad effects on the environment such as slope instability from forestry practices, and dangerous runoff entering creak systems disrupting the ecosystem.

How can Environmental Geology aid these problems?

Environmental geoscientists can contribute many ways in the reduction of thse problems. These ways include:

  • Assessment of Hazards: assessing probability and scale of landslides, earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions.
  • Hydrology/Hydrogeology: learn how water systems flow in specific areas and design systems to protect the natural state of the system and the habitat.
  • Land use planning: understanding of how underlying geology suits specific needes for infastructure or urban areas.
  • Natural Resource Management: assess the availability and sustainability of natural resources.