Dr.Souad Guernina Winter 2013 EPSC 181 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY Dr.Souad Guernina Winter 2013

What is Geology? Geology is the study of earth and it focuses on: Planet composition, behavior, and history Geologists study : - The history of our planet (study the past to predict the future) -The causes of earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, floods and etc... -Earth materials such as oil, mineral resources and water -how to prevent groundwater contamination -how to stabilize slopes

What is Environmental Geology? Environmental geology looks at the interaction between humans and the geological environment 3 key factors: A-Geology B-Environment C-Human beings

Did you know that: Every year 250 Million people affected by natural disasters? International community spent 3 billion dollars to help mitigate the impacts of these disasters? The poorest societies are the most affected? (poverty, illness, vulnerability)

Is climate change responsible? Natural impacts: sun, volcanic eruptions, earth’s orbit Human impacts: CO2 increases, ozone depletion, tropical deforestation Are we really responsible for the major climate changes of recent decades?

This lecture 1-Purpose from this course 2-Class outline 3-Course outline

PURPOSE FROM THIS COURSE 1-Help you think about our planet and how it works The Scientific Method Question: Where does beach sand come from ? Field/Lab work: Examine beach environment; see that rivers flow from mountains to the beach. Refine question: Does sand on the beach come from the mountains by way of streams|? Pose answer: ----hypothesis----The sand comes from the mountains. Test hypothesis:--Examine mineral content of sand from the streams,beach and rocks of mountain Conclusion: Yes No: reject hypothesis(new hypothesis) Accept hypothesis:---More testing---- Theory

2-Give you an overview on important concepts in geology Plate Tectonics The history of the theory of plate tectonics An overview of how the plates move and what happens when they interact Magma generation and faulting Volcanism What landforms can be attributed to volcanism Local and global hazards Mitigating hazards – the study of volcanoes Volcanoes and climate change Earthquakes Where do earthquakes occur and why? When the earth shakes, what is happening? Can we predict earthquakes? Mitigating earthquakes 3-Share ideas with the group and encourage open communication

Class Outline Part I Introduce you to basic concepts in geology -Earth formation and structure -Minerals and Rocks -Time in geology -Plate tectonics and other processes that change the earth’s surface

Class Outline Part II Introduce you to fundamental concepts of Environmental geology Earth Systems and Cycles -Carbon cycle -Energy cycle -Hydrologic cycle -Rock cycle

Class Outline Part III Look at the various geological hazards that change the surface of the earth, and pose a direct threat to human survival Volcanoes Earthquakes Tsunami Landslides Floods

Impact of Geologic Processes on us Example Vesuvius, Italy, 1944 Pompeii, AD 79 Volcanic eruption 1-Positive impact Rich, fertile Soil Building of our atmosphere Tourism Building materials 2-Negative impact Death Climate change Threat to aviation Contaminated drinking supply

Class Outline Part IV Study the impact of human on the Environment Fossil Fuels Mineral Resources Alternative Energy Global Climate Change

Human impact on the Environment (Example) Our dependence on Earth causes us to change our environment… Waste: contamination Construction: landslides Water Diversion: starvation of seas Aral Sea, Kazakhstan

Why Do We Study Environmental Geology? 1. Managing geological resources, such as fossil fuels, industrial minerals and water 2. The use of the geological environment for waste disposal in order to minimise problems of contamination and pollution. 3. Recognition of natural hazards and mitigation of their human impacts (volavanoes, earthquakes, floods, ect…)

-Liaison librarian (Giovanna Badia) -Guest Speaker (climate change) -videos

THE COURSE Course website: http://www.eps.mcgill.ca/~courses/c186-243 Assumes very little scientific training Textbook Bernard W Pipkin/ Dee D Trent/Richard Hazlett/Paul Bierman - “Geology and the Environment” (5th ed.) • S. Marshak – “Earth, Portrait of a Planet” (excellent reference on general geology)

CONTACT ME Fax: 398-4680 Office: FDA 132 Souad.guernina@mcgill.ca Office hours: T-Th 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

EVALUATION -Mid-Term Test (February 18; IN CLASS) 40 % -Final Exam 60% (TBA) -No classes on March 4 to 8 (study break).