Montgomery, Carla W. : Northern Illinois University

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.

Section I Foundations

1 An Overview of Our Planetary Environment
2 Rocks and Minerals: A First Look

Section II 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