Montgomery, Carla W. : Northern Illinois University
Summary
Intended for the introductory-level college course, the principal aim of this text is to present the student
with a broad overview of environmental geology. The text looks both at how the earth developed into its present
condition and where matters seem to be moving for the future. It is hoped that this knowledge will provide the
student with a useful foundation for discussing and evaluating specific environmental issues, as well as for developing
ideas about how the problems should be solved.
Table of Contents
Section I Foundations
1 An Overview of Our Planetary Environment
2 Rocks and Minerals: A First Look
SectionII Internal Processes
3 Plate Tectonics
4 Earthquakes
5 Volcanoes
Section III Surface Processes
6 Streams and Flooding
7 Coastal Zones and Processes
8 Mass Movements
9 Geology and Climate: Glaciers, Deserts, and Global Climate Trends
Section IV Resources
10 Water as a Resource
11 Soil as a Resource
12 Mineral and Rock Resources
13 Energy Resources-Fossil Fuels
14 Energy Resources-Alternative Sources
Section V Waste Disposal
15 Waste Disposal
16 Water Pollution
17 Air Pollution
Section VI Other Related Topics
18 Environmental Law
19 Land-Use Planning and Engineering Geology
Appendix A Geologic Time, Geologic Process Rates
Appendix B Introduction to Topographic and Geologic Maps and Satellite Imagery
Appendix C Mineral and Rock Identification
Appendix D Units of Measurement - Conversions