Engineering GeologyEngineering Geology

Where Civilization and Earth Meet

Soil and rock as engineering materialsResource extraction and usage

Environmental impactsGeologic Hazards

Dr. James M. Martin-HaydenAssociate Professor

(419) 530-2634Jhayden@UTnet.UToledo.edu

Dr. James M. Martin-HaydenAssociate Professor

(419) 530-2634Jhayden@UTnet.UToledo.edu

World Population Growth11.9

9.8

7.9

High Growth Medium Growth Low Growth

Population Growth

% per year1%

2%

Expon

entia

l Gro

wth

Actual Growth

Kehew, Figure 1.4 and 1.5

Population in Crisis

Pandemics and food shortages are beginning to decrease population growth

Contamination and global warming will only exacerbate the problem

Overuse of Geologic Resources

1.7 billion are joining the “consumer class” and the environment can’t sustain this standard of living. (Worldwatch Institute, 2004)

Emissions of Greenhouse gasses is accelerating global warming

Climate change is accelerating melting of glaciers and driving mass extinctions (The Centre of Biodiversity and Conservation, Leeds University, UK)

(Geology in the News)

Global Oil Production to Peak

Once oil production peaks extraction will become increasingly expensive.

Alternative sources Coal (emissions?) Nuclear (waste?) Renewable (lagging

technology?)

See Kehew Fig. 1.8

Greenhouse Gasses and Global Warming

Global Warming lags CO2 spikes

CO2 concentration is higher than all maximums during the past 500,000 years

And still increasing!

See Kehew Fig. 1.14

Effects on Engineering Geology

Melting of Polar ice Opening of new arctic shipping routes in a

few decades Melting Permafrost Increasingly severe storms Sea level rise (~6m in a few decades)

Increased erosion Flooding Submerged infrastructure

Water ResourcesUse of fresh water from the water cycle

Surface water Lakes Streams

Groundwater Springs Aquifers

(extracted by pumping wells)

Water Cycle Storage and TransferStorage 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

Tigris River, Iraq

http://encarta.msn.com/

World of Geology

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/

Geological Resources

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)

The Geologist’s Job Locating and

Characterizing quantity and quality of geologic resources

Extracting geologic resources efficiently

Assessing environmental effects of extraction and use

Geologic Resources

E.g., Misuse of Resources

Misuse of ResourcesDesiccation of the Aral Sea, Kazakhstan

www.grida.no/aral/aralsea/english/arsea/arsea.htm

1980

See Page 6

2000

2005

Aral Sea Over Time

195719771982198419932000

Environmental Geology Environmental Sciences:

How we influence the earth

Geologic Hazards: How geology influences us

Geology in the News

Two die in 6.5 magnitude Earthquake near San Lois Obispo California

Earthquake triggers mudslides

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003

Geologic Hazards

San Andreas Fault

Assessing Risk“Major Quake Likely to

Strike San Francisco Bay Region Between 2003 and 2032”

• Assessing Risks• Avoiding Risks• Preventing Damage• Predicting Impact

Geologic Hazards

(http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/research/seismology/wg02/

Earthquake 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

Photos from AP

Geological HazardsVolcanoes (pg. 108)

Landslides (see pg. 250)

Earthquakes (pg. 202)

Floods (see pgs., 284)

Geology in EngineeringSlope Failure Risk Assessment and Control

To prevent slope failure engineers must understand the geology that forms and controls the slope

Geology in Engineering

Geology in Engineering

Committee member John Burland, an engineer, promoted soil extraction as the best way to save the tower.

In Pisa the tilted one is back in business after an 11-year effort to keep it from collapsing

The Leaning Tower Straightens Up

www.smithsonianmag.si.edu

Engineers use knowledge of geology to design, protect and correct structures