Natural Gas Natural Gas: In geology, natural gas means combustible hydrocarbon gas that forms by natural geological or biological processes. To illustrate, natural gas that forms by geological processes is the thermal decomposition of buried organic materials. Whereas natural gas that forms via biological processes entail the microbial decomposition of buried organic material. Natural gas…

Unobstructed Opening Definition in Methane Mitigation Unobstructed Opening: Per the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Methane Code, Ordinance Number 175790, an unobstructed opening is a permanent clearance or gap in the walls, floors, or ceiling of a structure, to allow for direct fresh airflow. In methane mitigation plan applications, this does not…

Lithosphere Lithosphere: The lithosphere comprises the Earth’s crust as well as part of the upper mantle. In fact, the lithosphere is approximately 100 kilometers thick and is relatively strong as compared to the underlying asthenosphere.

What is an Embankment Dam? An Embankment Dam is a freshwater-retaining structure comprising excavated rock, soil, or a combination of rock and soil from nearby geological formations.  In fact, Embankment Dams are known as an “Earthfill Dam” when filled with soil, and a “Rockfill Dam” when filled with rocks. Earthfill Dams are most common. The…

Soil Creep Definition Soil Creep is a type of landslide that entails the slow and gradual movement of a soil mass (or even some loose rock) materials.

Mineraloid Definition The term “mineraloid” refers to a natural earth substance that appears to be similar to a genuine mineral, although lacks any form of internal structure and crystal form. Nonetheless, a mineraloid does comprise true minerals within it. For instance, Fire Opal and Blue Opal are not minerals because they are amorphous (do not…