All readings are to be done prior to the appropriate class .
Put simply, geology is the study of the Earth. Environmental geology concentrates on the way Earth systems, both at the surface and within it, affect, and are affected by, humans. Those physical systems have both beneficial and detrimental effects on us. It is the objective of environmental geologists that, if we all understand these systems better, we can be more effective stewards of our threatened resources, and live safer lives in greater harmony with our environment. We will begin with a very brief, and broad-scope review of basic geological principles to provide a basis for the more focused environmental aspects that follow.