Fundamental Concepts in

Environmental Geology
Dr. Adnan Khan
Assistant Professor
Department of Geology
University of Karachi
Cell No. 0300-3635848
 CONCEPT 1
Earth is essentially a closed system.
Rates of change and feedback in system is critical to
solve environmental problems.
 CONCEPT 2

Earth is the only suitable

habitat we have.

Resources are limited.

1. 21st Century is the recycling

Era.

2. Knowledge is limited not

the resources
 CONCEPT 3

PRESENT IS THE KEY TO THE PAST (James Hutton, 1700s)

Today’s physical processes are modifying our landscape and have operated
throughout much of geologic time.

Magnitude and frequency of these processes are subject to natural and artificially-
induced change.

Global cooling or warming

River generation or death
Orogeny or epeirogeny
Sediment deposition and erosion
 CONCEPT 4

There have always been earth processes that are hazardous to people.

These natural hazards must be recognized and avoided where possible,

and their threat to human life and property must be minimized.

• Volcanism
• Flooding (river, coastal, flash, urban)
• Landslide
• Cyclones
• Earth quakes
 CONCEPT 5

Land and water use planning must strive to obtain a

balance between economic considerations and the less
tangible variables such as aesthetics (land, water, air).

• Economic considerations (measureable)

• Less tangible variables (less measureable)

 CONCEPT 6
The effects of land use tend to be cumulative (integral) and therefore, we
have an obligation to those who follow.
 CONCEPT 7

Fundamental component of every person’s environment is

geologic factor.

Understanding this environment requires a broad-based

comprehension and appreciation of the earth sciences and
other related disciplines.
End