Humans as Geologic Agents
Homo sapiens is the only known species to consciously effect change to the Earth’s geologic environment. We reshape the Earth; intensify erosion; modify rivers; change local climates; pollute water resources, soils, and geologic media; and alter soils and the biosphere. We dig holes in it, remove parts of it, and bury highly toxic materials in it. In this volume, the authors explore human impact on the Earth and attempt to answer the following questions. What have we done to Terra? How fast have we effected change? Are the changes permanent? Are they good, or have we inadvertently caused more damage? Can we, should we, repair some or all of these changes? These are important questions for the geoscience community because, as those most knowledgeable about the Earth and its resources, geologists play a major role in sustaining and preserving the Earth.
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Table of Contents
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George A. Kiersch: Engineering geology applied to anthropomorphic problemsAuthor(s)Allen W. HathewayAllen W. HathewayConsulting Geological Engineer, 10256 Stoltz Drive, Rolla, Missouri 65401, USA
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Effects of human activity on lineation analysisAuthor(s)Judy EhlenJudy Ehlen1Department of Geology, Radford University, Radford, Virginia 24142, USA
* *Correspondence address: 3 Haytor Vale, Haytor, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 9XP, England; [email protected].
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Disconnected rivers: Human impacts to rivers in the United StatesAuthor(s)Ellen WohlEllen WohlDepartment of Geosciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USASearch for other works by this author on:
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The history of the use and effectiveness of instream structures in the United StatesAuthor(s)Douglas M. ThompsonDouglas M. ThompsonDepartment of Physics, Astronomy and Geophysics, Connecticut College, Campus Box 5585, 270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, Connecticut 06320, USASearch for other works by this author on:
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Impact of military activities on local and regional geologic conditionsAuthor(s)Edward P.F. RoseEdward P.F. RoseDepartment of Geology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UKSearch for other works by this author on:
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Human influence on the Columbia River littoral cellAuthor(s)Richard W. GalsterRichard W. GalsterConsulting Engineering Geologist, P.O. Box 908, Edmonds, Washington, 98020-0908, USASearch for other works by this author on:
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Impacts of coal miningAuthor(s)Robert J. Turka;Robert J. TurkaGAI Consultants, Inc., Pittsburgh Office, 385 Waterfront Drive, Homestead, Pennsylvania 15120-5005, USASearch for other works by this author on:Richard E. GrayRichard E. GrayDiGioia, Gray & Associates, LLC, 322 Black Walnut Drive, Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601, USASearch for other works by this author on:
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Impacts of land subsidence caused by withdrawal of underground fluids in the United StatesAuthor(s)Thomas L. Holzer;Thomas L. Holzer1U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Mail Stop 977, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
* *E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:Devin L. GallowayDevin L. Galloway2U.S. Geological Survey, 3020 State University Drive East, Suite 3005, Sacramento, California 95819, USA* *E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]
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Salt dissolution and subsidence or collapse caused by human activitiesAuthor(s)Kenneth S. JohnsonKenneth S. JohnsonOklahoma Geological Survey, 100 E. Boyd, Room N-131, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
* *E-mail: [email protected]
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The Glen Creek Landslide: A case study in the misuse of the Jahnsian steps during hillside developmentAuthor(s)Philip L. JohnsonPhilip L. JohnsonCotton, Shires & Associates, 330 Village Lane, Los Gatos, California 95030, USASearch for other works by this author on:
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Hydrogeologic considerations of urban development: Urban-induced rechargeAuthor(s)Beatriz Garcia-Fresca;Beatriz Garcia-FrescaDepartment of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas, 1 University Station, C1100 Austin, Texas 78712-0254, USA
* *E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:John M. Sharp, Jr.John M. Sharp, Jr.Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas, 1 University Station, C1100 Austin, Texas 78712-0254, USA* *E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]
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The relative influence of humans on barrier islands: Humans versus geomorphologyAuthor(s)Matthew L. Stutz;Matthew L. StutzDuke University, Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
* *Present address, Stutz: Department of Environmental Studies, Dordt College, 498 Fourth Ave. NE, Sioux Center, Iowa, 51250 USA, [email protected]; e-mail, Pilkey—[email protected].
Search for other works by this author on:Orrin H. PilkeyOrrin H. PilkeyDuke University, Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA* *Present address, Stutz: Department of Environmental Studies, Dordt College, 498 Fourth Ave. NE, Sioux Center, Iowa, 51250 USA, [email protected]; e-mail, Pilkey—[email protected].
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Anthropogenic contribution to gully initiation and propagation in southeastern NigeriaAuthor(s)Peter P. Hudec;Peter P. HudecDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of Windsor, Ontario, CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:Frank Simpson;Frank SimpsonDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of Windsor, Ontario, CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:Enuvie G. Akpokodje;Enuvie G. AkpokodjeDepartment of Geology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NigeriaSearch for other works by this author on:Meschak O. UmenwekeMeschak O. UmenwekeDepartment of Geology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
* *Deceased.
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