MCCCD Program Description

Geological Disasters and the Environment

Course: GLG110IN

First Term: 2020 Fall

Lecture 4.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: T- Lab Load

Description: Acquaints students with the use and importance of geological studies as they apply to the interactions between people and the Earth. Includes geological processes and hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and landslides. Examines environmental impact and use of mineral and energy resources.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain the fundamental concepts of environmental geology including sustainability and the impact of human population growth on Earth`s resources and hazards. (I) 2. Describe the current theory of plate tectonics, provide scientific evidence that supports this concept and explain the relationship between plate boundaries and geologic hazards. (II) 3. Describe the characteristics of minerals and rocks and explain why they play an important role in society. (III) 4. Explain the causes and probable locations of selected natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods and landslides and describe the impact they have on humans and their property. (IV, V, VI, VII) 5. Describe wave dynamics in coastal environments and the consequences of human intervention in coastal zones. (VIII) 6. Compare and contrast different types of mineral and energy resources, the mining and/or drilling techniques used, and the environmental impacts involved in their use. (IX, X) 7. Assess and describe the impact of human behavior on selected environmental phenomena such as water resources, climate change, severe weather, and soils. (XI) 8. Use maps and other investigative technologies to locate and describe landforms and geologic hazards. (XII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction to environmental geology A. Scientific method B. Sustainability and human population C. Earth as a system II. Plate tectonic theory A. Diverging, converging and transform boundaries B. Geologic hazards associated with plate boundaries III. Minerals and rocks A. Minerals - the building blocks of the Earth B. Rock types - igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic C. Minerals, rocks and society IV. Earthquakes A. Location of earthquakes as they relate to plate boundaries B. Measuring earthquakes C. Hazards associated with earthquakes 1. Ground motion and wave amplification 2. Liquefaction 3. Fires 4. Tsunamis D. Earthquakes and society V. Volcanoes A. Location of volcanoes as they relate to plate boundaries and hot spots B. Types of volcanic eruptions and cones C. Volcanoes and society VI. Flooding A. Causes and consequences of flooding B. Environmental impact of human intervention in river systems VII. Landslides A. Types of landslide materials and motion B. Natural and human causes of landslides VIII. Coastal environments A. Wave dynamics 1. Longshore current 2. Erosion and deposition on the shore B. Impact of human intervention on coastal systems IX. Mineral resources A. How and where mineral resources form B. Mining methods C. Environmental impact of mining and refining X. Energy resources A. Coal, oil and gas formation B. Conventional extraction methods and developing technologies C. Environmental impact of fossil fuel extraction and use D. Alternative energy resources XI. Selected additional environmental geology topics such as the following: A. Water resources 1. Groundwater and surface water management 2. Human impact on groundwater including pumping and contamination B. Changing climate 1. Natural and human causes of climate change 2. Impact of climate change on society C. Severe weather 1. Tornadoes 2. Hurricanes D. Soils and the environment E. Waste management F. Air pollution XII. Investigative tools and technology A. Use of maps, remote sensing, GIS and other instruments B. Map and/or data interpretation processes C. Scales

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: December 11, 2018

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.