Geohazards + Sources

Question 1

Name for the four spheres and several hazards pertaining to each.

Answer 1

Biosphere: virus, invasive species, bacterial infection, algal blooms, swarms, famine.

Atmosphere: UV, storms, tornadoes, lightning, hurricanes, climate change.

Hydrosphere: tsunamis, droughts, floods, ground settlement, weathering and erosion.

Geosphere: volcanoes, earthquakes, mass movement, landslides, subsidence (sinking of ground).

Question 2

Engineers use a _____ _____ to assess and evaluate the problem. They break the problem down into _____ and _____.

Answer 2

Risk matrix;

likelihood;

consequences.

Question 3

Name a few methods of geohazard likelihood assessment.

Answer 3

Analyzing historical data, collecting data and modelling.

Analyze the actual consequences when the system is initiated.

Question 4

What are three methods of managing GeoRisks?

Answer 4

1. Reduce the hazard (seldom possible)
2. Increase warning capacity.
3. Reduce the impact (zoning, implementing codes, preventing access, reducing exposure, creating redundant infrastructure, choosing less vulnerable infras., educating the public, etc)

Question 5

WHAT IS ‘Sustainable Engineering’???

Answer 5

The art of DIRECTING great sources of NATURE for the USE and CONVENIENCE if people… without compromising the VIABILITY OF THE FUTURE!

Question 6

What is 3BL?

Answer 6

The Triple Bottom Line states that the economy and society are wholly owned subsidiaries of the environment.

Question 7

TRUE or FALSE? The majority of the Earth’s fresh water comes from fresh water lakes, ponds, rivers, and other sources.

Answer 7

FALSE.

The majority of the Earth’s fresh water comes from groundwater. It is intergranular (sand/gravel), found in igneous rocks, or mixed in solution. See: PEI, with 100% of their population obtaining a fresh supply of water from the ground.

Question 8

What must engineers consider if they want to make renewable energy sources (and anything else) environmentally sound?

Answer 8

The four spheres: bio, atmo, hydro, and geo.

Question 9

What is the 3rd most abundant element in the 100km of the Earth’s surface, but is incredibly difficult to process?

Answer 9

Aluminum, from a bauxite ore.

Question 10

What is a ‘kimberlight’?

Answer 10

The most violent geophenomenon capable of resurfacing diamonds from deep in the Earth’s crust without degrading them!