Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy involves harnessing natural volcanic heat within the Earth’s crust and converting it to electricity aboveground. The “heat beneath our feet” comes from groundwater aquifer systems that flow near molten rock. And the high-temperature groundwater runs through a series of expansion tanks and power turbines to generate electricity. Updated June 3, 2023….
Geology of Northern Salt Lake City, Utah This post summarizes the basic geology of the northern region of Salt Lake City, Utah. Some geological and hydrogeological data may be incomplete or pending review. Nonetheless, students, geologists, and earth scientists are welcome to openly use, critique, and contribute information. To do so, please refer to the…
Methane Soil Gas Methane Soil Gas: In geology, methane soil gas refers to the confinement of CH4 within the interstitial pore spaces of subsurface soils. On Earth and potentially on Mars, methane derives from subsurface pockets of biogenic and petrogenic natural gas. To illustrate, accumulations of buried organic matter decay via microbial or thermal degradation….
Methane on Mars Geologists understand that methane on Mars could relate to possible signs of past life, future sustainability, and similar geological processes to Earth. And sources of methane gas in the Mars atmosphere are presumably from biogenic and petrogenic processes. For example, microbial and thermal decomposition of underground organic matter, or tectonic and volcanic…
Geology of East Hollywood, Los Angeles, California & Hydrogeology This post summarizes the basic geology of the East Hollywood region of Los Angeles California. Some geological and hydrogeological data may be incomplete or pending review. Nonetheless, students, geologists, and earth scientists are welcome to openly use, critique, and contribute information. To do so, please refer…
Geologic Description of Mars Perseverance Sol 125 Photo This geologic description of Mars is possible due to public photographs by NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover. This photograph was taken on June 27, 2021 on Earth, or Sol 125 on Mars. The geologic description of Mars by this photograph may be incomplete or pending peer review. And…
Engineering Geology or Geological Engineering Engineering Geology: Engineering geology is also referred to as “geological engineering,” and is a branch of geology that relates to the study of earth materials and processes, that are juxtaposed to proposed structures such as buildings, retaining walls, dams, roads, pipelines, and more. Whereby geologists assess any potential levels of…
Seismology Seismology: (seis·mol·o·gy) a branch of geology and geophysics that relates to earthquakes, including but not limited to their causes, effects, hazards, and mitigation techniques. Seismologists at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) use cutting-edge technology to measure seismic wave properties and geological hazards that trigger them or are triggered by them. In turn, seismology…
Environmental Geology Environmental Geology: (en·vi·ron·men·tal ge·ol·o·gy) a branch of geology that relates to the impact of human activity on Earth, and the pollution of geologic formations, reserves, and resources. Common focus points of environmental geology are contaminated soil, groundwater aquifers, lakes, rivers, and the ocean. Professional geologists assess and remediate contamination plumes in all media,…
Long Beach, California Geology & Hydrogeology This post summarizes the geology of Long Beach, California. However, some geological and hydrogeological data may be incomplete or pending review. Nonetheless, students, geologists, and earth scientists are welcome to openly use, critique, and contribute information. To do so, please refer to the comments function below. Ultimately, all post…
Geology of the Chinatown Area in Los Angeles, California & Hydrogeology This post summarizes the geology of the Chinatown region, of Downtown Los Angeles California. Some geological and hydrogeological data may be incomplete or pending review. Nonetheless, students, geologists, and earth scientists are welcome to openly use, critique, and contribute information. To do so, please…
Geology of Needles, California & Hydrogeology This post is a briefing on the geology of Needles, California. Some geological and hydrogeological data may be incomplete or pending review. Nonetheless, students, geologists, and earth scientists are welcome to openly critique, question, or contribute information to this post using the comments function below. All data is subject…
The St. Francis Dam Disaster The St. Francis Dam disaster of 1928 was the failure of a large concrete gravity dam due to unmitigated geologic hazards, causing over 55 miles of violent flooding, and over 400 deaths. It is said to be California’s worst engineering catastrophe to date. Updated April 11, 2024. Saint Francis Dam…
What is Precious Opal? Precious opal is any type of natural opal gemstone that shows a “play of color,” such as flakes of variable colors reflecting from inside the specimen upon white light exposure. Unlike common opal, a precious stone can reflect multiple colors from a single viewpoint. For an example of an opal stone…
Coyote Flat & Funnel Lake Camping & 4×4 Jeep Trail in Inyo National Forest in California For an amazing geologic and scenic nature experience while 4×4 off-roading and camping, Geo Forward highly recommends the Coyote Flat 4×4 trail to Funnel Lake in California’s Inyo National Forest. This 4×4 Jeep trail offers a different visual experience…
Geologic Time Scale The Geologic Time Scale is an international system used by geologists to classify and identify major geologic events and formations. The geologic timescale essentially categories the earth’s entire geologic (and biologic) history, within a series of defined eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages. Updates & Maintenance The geologic time scale is continuously…
Blue Opal Gemstone The blue opal gemstone, like all other types of opal, is not a mineral. Instead, it is an amorphous mineraloid, which means it is a substance that comprises a specific arrangement of smaller microcrystalline silicas, which result in a blue spectrum of light reflection. Blue opal has an appealing luster and appearance,…
Fire Opal Gemstone – Geology & Mineralogy Information Fire Opal is an amorphous mineraloid comprising an accumulation of tiny hydrated silica spheres that produce a dominant reddish-orange spectrum upon light reflection. Although it is commonly misclassified as a “mineral,” fire opal is actually not a mineral because it does not have its own crystalline structure….
San Carlos Olivine & Peridot The San Carlos Apache Reservation is one of the earth’s richest resources olivine-rich rocks. San Carlos Olivine is a name that refers to a group of closely related minerals, with very similar chemical compositions, that are found in igneous rocks in the Apache Reservation. These olivine minerals consist of silicon…
The Attire of a Geologist: Things that Geologists Wear and Use The attire and tools of a geologist vary depending on their sector of work and responsibilities. However, most geologists need specialized gear, technology, and equipment to execute their tasks. This article aims to discuss the attire and tools that geologists wear and use. Updated…
Women in Geology Women in geology have been making astounding contributions to the scientific community since the 1700s. From environmental engineering to mining, petroleum, and water exploration, female geologists are increasing in numbers, and are valuable assets to these industries. The planet Earth and it’s geological formations show no preference or priority of gender. Consequently,…
John Muir Biography The Father of National Parks & Geology John Muir was a Scottish-American writer, lecturer, and an early influencer for nature, geology, wildlife, and more. He’s also known as an honorary public figure for advocating the conservation of wildlife from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. To many, he was a self-mastered glaciologist,…
PCBs Contamination in Killer Whales and Orca Pollution PCBs contamination in killer whales and orca pollution is an increasing concern in the environmental science community. Recent studies indicate hazardous levels of industrial chemicals exist in the bodies of orcas and other marine mammals, worldwide. In fact, toxicologists now hypothesize that rising concentrations of carcinogens like…
Boyle Dayton Los Angeles The Boyle Dayton Los Angeles Company was a reputable manufacturer and seller of fueling pumps and standalone underground tanks, for automobiles in the early 1900s. Unlike modern gasoline service stations, the Boyle Dayton Company was a specialty manufacturer of curbside fuel station accessories. Curbside fueling stations were common in America before…
Is the Earth Around Millennium Tower Sinking? Is the earth around the Millennium Tower sinking? Built-in 2008, the Millennium Tower in San Francisco has reportedly sunken about 17 inches into the ground surface. This subsidence is a consequence of improper geotechnical engineering design and potential changes in the hydrogeological setting. Moreover, surveyors indicate the structure is…
Geology for Rock Climbers Geology for rock climbers tends to be a science of newfound interest. A field of study, that apparently, wasn’t the most popular among Millenials during their formative years. Although to be honest, most people do remember Earth Science class in high school for its tranquilizing effect. But fast forward 10- to…
AQMD Permit for Rule 1166 & Contaminated Soil Excavation Permit An AQMD Permit for Rule 1166 is the Air Quality Management District’s regulatory oversight procedure that applies to contaminated soil excavation projects in Southern California. The primary objective is to monitor contamination plumes in the air and soil, during soil removal and remediation efforts. In order…
