Environmental Geology - - GEOL 406/506

STUDY GUIDE - EXAM # 1

Read this carefully:

Be prepared to answer five discussion questions dealing with major concepts we covered in the modules or in class. Your answers should cover all the salient parts of the concept as well as provide meaningful connection to other concepts learned along the way. Here are some examples:

• List and explain why four Fundamental Concepts (out of eight or so mentioned) are important to understanding environmental systems.
• How are magnitude and frequency used to calculated the recurrence intervals of various levels of flooding?
• Explain the major factors that contribute to (increase or decrease) driving forces and resisting forces in an area prone to slope instability.
• Construct and explain a simple stress-strain curve for a natural solid geologic material.
• Discuss how each of the following earthquake parameters are determined and used to assess environmental problems:
• (A) the magnitude of an earthquake,
• (B) its distance from a recording station, and
• (C) the amount of energy released?

BONUS QUESTION: There will be a five-point bonus question!!