Environmental issues in urban settings: Contributions of geology to conflict minimization

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:5721465

Vitek, J D ^[1]; Giardino, J R ^[2]

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1. Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK (United States)
2. Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)

Human utilization of the surface of the earth reaches maximum intensity in high density urban areas. Structures, roads, and parking lots conceal the surface and its numerous characteristics from view. Residents of urban environments quickly forget (assuming they knew in the first place) the importance of the land surface upon which they function daily. Although rivers and the shoreline are seldom lost to view, they are treated as static rather than dynamic phenomena. Earthquakes and landslides, geologic events which easily destroy urban structures, are infrequent events which contribute to human denial of potential impact. Geologists have a critical role to play in educating urban decision-makers about the geologic characteristics that are unique to each city. Two decades ago Robert F. Leggett developed the general concept of the interrelationships between geology and urban settings in his book Cities and Geology''. Geologic characteristics, including age and bedrock lithology and earthquake potential, in conjunction with geomorphic phenomena, including river floods, sea-level fluctuation from tides and storms, mass movement, and soil dynamics, comprise the most fundamental data in terms of developing a geologically safe urban environment and insuring safety during periods of growth and expansion. The unique setting of every city requires similar studies being repeated at each location. Urban decision makers must promote the use of geologic knowledge in all city activities.

• OSTI ID: 5721465
• Report Number(s): CONF-921058--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 24:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
DISASTERS
EARTHQUAKES
ENGINEERING
FLOODS
FLUCTUATIONS
GEOLOGY
INFORMATION NEEDS
LAND USE
LEVELS
LITHOLOGY
MECHANICS
PETROLOGY
PLANNING
RIVERS
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SEA LEVEL
SEISMIC EVENTS
SOIL MECHANICS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TIDE
URBAN AREAS
VARIATIONS