Environmental geology facts for kids
Environmental geology is a special type of science that helps solve problems related to our environment. It's all about understanding how the Earth works and how we can protect it. Environmental geologists study things like how landforms are created (this is called geomorphology) and how to safely get rid of waste from homes and factories. Their main goal is to reduce pollution and manage our valuable natural resources like fossil fuels, minerals, and water.
Contents
What is Environmental Geology?
Environmental geology is a field that combines the study of the Earth (geology) with efforts to protect the environment. It looks at how human activities affect the Earth and how natural processes can impact people. Geologists in this field work to find solutions for many environmental challenges.
Protecting Our Planet
One big part of environmental geology is dealing with pollution. This includes finding ways to clean up polluted areas and prevent new pollution from happening. For example, they might study how chemicals spread in the ground or water. Then, they can figure out the best ways to stop the pollution or remove it.
Managing Earth's Resources
Environmental geologists also help us use Earth's resources wisely. Resources like oil, gas, coal, and valuable minerals are limited. These geologists work to find new sources of these materials. They also develop better ways to extract them without harming the environment too much. They also help manage water supplies, which are essential for everyone.
Understanding Natural Hazards
Another important role of environmental geologists is to understand natural hazards. These are dangerous events like earthquakes, volcano eruptions, landslides, and floods. By studying these events, geologists can help communities prepare for them. They can also advise on where it's safe to build homes and cities. This helps keep people safe and reduces damage.
Planning Land Use
Environmental geologists also play a role in how we use land. They study the ground and rocks to figure out if an area is suitable for building, farming, or waste disposal. This helps make sure that land is used in a way that is safe and sustainable for the long term. They might create maps that show different types of land and their best uses.
Images for kids
-
This is an example of a simple land use map. This shows the land usage of West Newton in southeast Minnesota along the Mississippi River as of April 2021.
See also
In Spanish: Geología ambiental para niños
