Geology and Society

by Donald Robert Coates (Editor)

Overview

Mankind lives, works, and plays on the earth's surface. The majority of such human activities change in some manner the geological materials and processes of our planet. It is the basis of this book that an understanding of this relationship is significant. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that natural processes and events can in turn greatly affect society. Erosion devastates farms and grazing lands. The spectacular hazards of earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and landslides can lead to disastrous loss of life and property. Thus, one theme in this book is to provide perspective on the duality of these impacts on the environmental scene. Geology is a key component that can lead to an improved understanding of these changes and influences. A carefull orchestration of geological studies can help soften the deleterious aspects of nature and minimize the harmful byproducts of civilization. This is the central message that is repeated throughout these pages. This book is one of a series of volumes published and in preparation in the series entitled "Environmental Resources Management. " Books already in print include two on soils, and others on mineral resources, and land-use planning. These will be followed by books on surface-water resources, groundwater resources, environmental pollution, energy resources, coastal environments, glacial environments, arid regional environments, and others. Chapter 1 provides the introduction and sets the stage and tone for the book. Chapters 2,3, and 4 deal with the resource base of society - minerals, fuels, and water.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780412251702
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	10/17/1985
Series:	Environmental Resource Management Series
Pages:	406
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

1 Introduction.- The Environment and the Geological Sciences.- Environment and History.- Environmental Guidelines.- The Environmental Decade.- The Present Status.- The Future.- Postlude.- 2 Mineral Resources.- Classification.- Occurrence and Distribution of Ore Deposits.- Exploration and Discovery.- Mining and Development.- Supply and Demand.- Non-Metallic Minerals.- Impacts Caused by Mining.- Mineral Policy and Planning.- Reclamation.- Postlude.- 3 Energy Resources.- An Overview.- Oil.- Natural Gas.- Coal.- Synfuels.- Other Geologic Energy Sources.- Energy Policy.- Postlude.- 4 Water Resources.- Occurrence.- Water Use.- Water Problems.- Water Management.- Case Studies in Water Management.- Postlude.- 5 Volcanic Activity.- Distribution.- Processes and Classification.- Volcanic Disasters.- Prediction.- Hazard Mitigation.- Beneficial Aspects.- Postlude.- 6 Earthquakes.- Terminology.- Distribution.- Causes.- Effects.- Damages.- Disasters.- Prediction and Amelioration of Earthquakes.- Postlude.- 7 Landslides.- Effects.- Landslides and Related Processes.- Classification.- Natural Causes.- Human Interference.- Landslide Destruction.- Land Management.- Snow Avalanches.- Government Landslide Programs.- Postlude.- 8 Floods.- River Systems.- Why Do We Have Floods?.- Effects of Floods.- Management of Flood Hazards.- Geological Data.- Postlude.- 9 Coastal Environments.- The Seascape.- Coastal Forces.- Historical Background.- Current Status of Shorelines.- Barrier Islands.- Human Intervention.- Coastal Engineering.- Coastal Law.- Postlude.- 10 Soil Destruction.- What is Soil?.- Historical Background.- Soil Destruction.- Farmland Erosion.- Deforestation.- Salinization.- Other Soil Losses.- Desertification.- Structural-Engineering Controls.- The World Situation.- Postlude.- 11 Geoengineering.- Conveyance Systems.- Dams.- Channelization.- Environmental Engineering.- Other Case Histories.- Postlude.- 12 Environmental Contamination.- Role of Geology.- Air Pollution.- Solid-Waste Disposal.- Hazardous Waste.- Nuclear Waste.- Wastewater Disposal.- Recycling.- Postlude.- 13 Environmental Management.- The Format of Management.- Objectives.- Role of the Geologist.- Urban Areas.- Natural Resources.- Geologic Hazards.- Environmental Costs.- Environmental Policies in Other Countries.- Postlude.- 14 Environmental Law.- General Laws.- Specific Environmental Laws.- Laws for Geologists.- Mining Law.- Water Law.- Maritime Law.- Land-Use Law.- Legal Rights for Natural Features.- Eminent Domain.- Hazards and Disasters.- Postlude.- Appendix A Table of Conversions.- Appendix B Volcanic Disasters.- Appendix C Major Earthquake Disasters Throughout the World.- Appendix D Landslide Disasters.- Appendix E Major Land Subsidence Areas.- Appendix F Severe Flood Disasters in the United States.- Appendix G Coastal Area Disasters from Tropical Storms and Tsunamis.- References and Source Materials.