Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Env. Geology Progress

Thursday, May 31, we will use the Environmental Research site (http://www.ivcc.edu/phillips/geology/environmental_research.htm) to begin looking at web resources.

What you should do now: Identify natural hazards around your house. Prepare for Friday's Exam.

Let's use rivers as an example:
  • Is there a river or stream near your house? A ditch?
  • Do any of these have the potential to flood?
  • Have there been floods in the past? (ask around!) interview sample
  • Are there other flood risks? (eg. low places where water pools after a big rain)
  • Has the drainage been altered recently? (eg. by a new road, subdivision, house, store, etc.)
  • use the FEMA web site (FEMA flood maps) to find the flood insurance rate map (FIRM) for your area. Create a FRIMette and include it as part of your report.
  • Is bank erosion a potential problem?

If you find something or observe something, write it down and be sure to record the source. Take a picture of the location. Mark the spot on a map. (Visuals are great for the final report and for your talk.)

Follow the same process for coasts (if you live next to a lake), slopes, earthquakes, & radon gas.

This work will help as you prepare for the exam.

Coming up, this weekend: Follow the same process for resources and human-induced hazards. (Read ahead, just skim to get an idea of what we will be talking about.

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