MCCCD Program Description

Geological Disasters and the Environment

Course: GLG110

First Term: 2020 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard 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. Identify the fundamental concepts of environmental geology including the impact of human population growth. (I) 2. Evaluate the theory of plate tectonics and demonstrate how it relates to geologic hazards. (II) 3. Recognize the value of minerals and rocks and their role in society. (III) 4. Demonstrate understanding of the cause of natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods and landslides and the impact on humans and their property. (IV, V, VI, VII) 5. Analyze 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. Describe impact of human behavior on selected environmental phenomena. (XI)
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 C. Earth as a system II. Plate Tectonic Theory A. Diverging boundaries B. Converging boundaries C. Transform boundaries III. Minerals and Rocks A. Minerals - the building blocks of the Earth B. Rock types - igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic 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

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: April 26, 2016

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.