Macalester College Geology Department

GEOL 120 - Environmental Geology

Instructor: Kelly MacGregor
Level: Introductory
Offered: Every Fall

The physical environment has begun to show signs of our earth’s expanding population and the increasing need for natural resources. Geologic materials such as soil, water, and bedrock, and geologic processes such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and running water often pose constraints on land use.

This course is designed to introduce students to the relationship between humans and their geologic environment: the Earth. We will focus on understanding the processes that shape the surface of the Earth, and how these processes affect human activity. We will use current scientific methods to collect and analyze data. Topics may include surface-water dynamics and flooding, groundwater and groundwater contamination, pollution and waste management, landslides, volcanic and earthquake hazards, and global climate change. Format: three-hour block per week of local field excursions, lectures, and/or laboratory exercises. One all-day field trip required.