Ultramafic Definition
In the study of geology, the term “ultramafic” refers to an igneous rock that comprises up to 90% mafic minerals, or more.
In the study of geology, the term “ultramafic” refers to an igneous rock that comprises up to 90% mafic minerals, or more.

Hydraulic Conductivity (K) “Hydraulic Conductivity” (K), in hydrogeology and hydrology, represents the capacity of a porous medium (such as soil) to transmit water, as per Darcy’s Law. To illustrate, the rate at which fluid can move through a permeable medium (such as soil), depends on the properties of that soil (such as intrinsic permeability) and…

U-Shaped Kitchen U-Shaped Kitchen: A U-shaped kitchen, or a horseshoe kitchen, is a general kitchen plan layout with counters, walls, and cabinets that generally form a square-like or rectangular-like shape of the letter “u.” In the State of California (and other states with similar building code standards), U-shaped kitchens must have a minimum of 60-inches…

Methane Mitigation Soil Gas Pressure Sensor Methane Mitigation Soil Gas Pressure Sensor: A Methane Mitigation Soil Gas Pressure Sensor is a device that measures and communicates sub-slab soil gas pressure to a methane control panel system. High levels of methane soil gas then trigger the integrated methane alarm system to notify occupants of danger. Much…

Vapor Intrusion Vapor Intrusion occurs when harmful soil contamination changes phase from liquid to vapor underground and moves upward through geologic layers and building foundations, accumulating within indoor air.

Dip-Slip Fault Dip-Slip Fault: In geology, a dip-slip fault is any fault in which the earth’s movement is parallel with the dip of the fault plane. For example, a normal fault, reverse fault, or listric fault. The opposite of a dip-slip fault is a strike-slip fault.

Soil Compaction Testing or Soil Density Testing Soil compaction testing, or soil density testing, is the process by which the density property of a soil mass is increased in the field by various means, and monitored by a professional geologist in accordance with local building department specifications. During the placement of engineered backfill material, density…