In the Author's Own Words
Environmental Geology is, by its very nature, a dynamic field in which new issues continue to arise and old ones evolve. The most visible changes in this edition are that the ever-growing subject of climate has been given its own chapter, which also includes some new topics such as thermohaline circulation and climate feedbacks (see Chapter 10, below). New boxed readings on such current-events topics as the Sumatran earthquakes and tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and E85 have been added. Data (particularly as related to resources and pollution) have been updated throughout, as have the readings and NetNotes in every chapter.
A Sampling of Chapter-by-Chapter RevisionsChapter 1: An Overview of Our Planetary Environment
Enhanced discussion of the concept of “deep time.”
Enhanced discussion of population to illustrate that the issues may differ by country/region.
Chapter 3: Internal Processes
This chapter has been extensively reworked, some concepts such as triple junctions and the development of ocean basins added or expanded, and the graphics greatly improved.
The new boxed reading on “Technology Meets Plate Tectonics” illustrates the ways in which modern tools such as seismic tomography, GPS technology, and multibeam sonar bathymetry contribute to our understanding of plate tectonics.
Chapter 4: Earthquakes
Types of faulting are introduced, and the concept of a “megathrust” subsequently explained.
The new Box 4.2 is an extensive discussion of tectonics of the Sunda Trench associated earthquakes and tsunami.
Benioff zones are named and explained.
Chapter 5: Volcanoes
The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) has been added, and the Yellowstone’s characterization as “supervolcano” explained in that context.
Discussion of eruption prediction has been expanded with the addition of harmonic tremors.
Landslides and collapse have been added explicitly as volcanic hazards.
Chapter 6: Streams and Flooding
Discussion of flood warning and flood forecasting has been expanded to include international considerations.
Chapter 7: Coastal Zones and Processes
A new boxed reading on Hurricane Katrina provides a timely illustration of coastal vulnerability where coastal subsidence and rising sea levels collide.
Chapter 8: Mass Movement
Discussion of submarine landslides and turbidity currents has been added.
Chapter 9: Ice and Glaciers, Wind and Deserts
Key data on the status of North American and European valley glaciers has been added.
Chapter 10: Climate – Pat, Present, and Future
This is a brand new chapter that covers climate in more detail than past editions, integrating a variety of new and older material.
Coverage of the greenhouse effect has been expanded, and the topic of permafrost moved from its old place in Engineering Geology to a more logical home here, where it can be discussed more fully in the context of climate change.
New content includes: Discussion of the key role of the oceans, including the thermohaline circulation, and ocean/atmosphere interactions in affecting climate; complexities involved in identifying and predicting the consequences of various types of climate feedbacks; comparison of the response of Arctic and Antarctic polar ice to global change; and some of the more subtle effects we’ve begun to document, such as reaction of vegetation in northern latitudes.
Chapter 11: Water as a Resource
Enhanced discussion of karst features and accompanying graphics.
Updated description of soil zonation and of the soil orders.
Chapter 13: Mineral and Rock Resources
Revised Table 12.1. U.S. Production and Consumption of Rock and Mineral Resources. 2005 data has been added to the table.
Chapter 15: Energy Resources – Alternative Sources
New Table 15.1 illustrates the relationships between vehicle fuel efficiency and fuel consumption, and projects to national scale.
Discussion of solar electricity has been updated and clarified.
Individual building use of geothermal heat pumps has been added to discussion of geothermal energy.
Expanded coverage of biomass fuels, including waste-derived fuels, biodiesel, and E85.
Chapter 16: Waste Disposal
Enhanced discussion of septic systems/sewage treatment.
Chapter 17: Water Pollution
Expanded coverage and illustration of residence time.
New boxed reading 17.2 discusses the classic case history of mercury poisoning in the small Japanese town of Minamata.
Additional discussion of mercury cycling in the environment.
Chapter 18: Air Pollution
Increased coverage of consequences of particulate pollution.
New coverage of geological methods of carbon sequestration.
New, more “user-friendly” discussion of the Air Quality Index (AQI) and its practical application for the public.
Chapter 19: Environmental Law and Policy
Updated coverage of the Kyoto Protocol; further illustration in this and other contexts of differential situations and roles of developed and developing nations.
Chapter 20: Land-Use Planning and Engineering Geology
Additional coverage of the Alaska pipeline with new engineering issues arising from global warming.
Expanded and updated coverage of the Three Gorges Dam project and its impacts.
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