In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
• Draw basic connections between the Earth's spheres for their implications on human activities
• Utilize basic geoscience information and data in determining how environmental settings are shaped by landform processes
• Connect key lithospheric processes to the theory of plate tectonics for determining the potential for natural hazards
• Analyze local weather patterns by summarizing how fundamental atmospheric processes create resultant weather and climate
Prompt
Imagine you are an intern working for an environmental consulting firm. One of the firm's clients is considering building a subdivision and has asked the firm to evaluate a potential site. Your supervisor has asked you to start laying initial groundwork for the report by conducting basic background research on the geological and climate features of the site. Use the materials listed below (found in the Assignment Guidelines and Rubrics folder) to prepare a preliminary report of your findings, highlighting any issues or concerns.
• Final Project Historical Data
• Final Project Climograph
• Final Project Walterville Topographic Map
• Final Project Stratigraphy and Cross Section
• Final Project Soil Profiles
• Final Project Site Topographic Map
Specifically, your preliminary report of environmental findings must address the following critical elements:
I. Executive Summary. Begin your report with a brief executive summary that identifies the project being proposed by the client, what your report covers, and your most important findings. Your goal is to provide a clear, concise snapshot of the report's content for those who may not have time to read the full report. Although this is the first element of the report, it is often helpful to write it last, once your analysis is complete.
II. Basic Geology. Examine the stratigraphy and cross section provided, and complete the tasks listed below.
a. Accurately identify the types of rocks in the stratigraphy and whether the types are igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary. You may also want to discuss what the cross section tells you about the relative age of the rocks.
b. Describe any changes in the rock types and their properties by depth. What causes these types of changes? You may also want to consider other features in the stratigraphy, such as anticlines, synclines, or nonconformities.
c. Determine what rock subtypes are present, describing key features and how and why they occur. For example, are the rocks extrusive, intrusive, foliated, or detrital?
d. What might the stratigraphy and rock types imply for the development of the subdivision in broad terms? Use your knowledge of Earth system processes to support your response.
e. Use information on the soil depth and slope across the cross section to discuss the potential for erosion. In other words, is there a risk that the soil on the site will wash away? Why or why not?
III. Streams. Use the topographical map provided to examine the stream system(s) of the proposed location. Be sure to:
a. Identify landscape features that were shaped by the stream system and explain how and why those landscapes might change based on stream processes. For example, what areas of the proposed development site are affected by erosion, landslides, or the deposit of sediments? Why? How might that change?
b. Analyze how stream bank erosion is likely to affect the development of the floodplain. In other words, what areas on the site are at risk of flooding now or in the future? Explain your answer using Earth science principles.
IV. Tectonics. Use the topographical and regional maps and historical data on earthquakes and volcanos provided to determine the following:
a. What type of faults, if any, are present in the area, and how do they affect landform processes? In other words, might faults change the landscape at the site? Be sure to use geoscience concepts to explain how you arrived at your answer. (If no faults are present, you should still explain how you determined this and how faults would have affected landform processes if they were present.)
b. Is the location likely to be affected by earthquakes? Explain your conclusions, including the Earth processes involved and scientifically supported observations about the likely frequency and severity of quakes. You may want to calculate a simple recurrence interval to help support your answer.
c. Does the location face any volcanic threats? Explain your conclusions, including the Earth processes involved and scientifically supported observations about the likely frequency and severity of eruptions. You may want to calculate a simple recurrence interval to help support your answer.
V. Weather. Use the climograph and weather data provided to complete the tasks listed below.
a. Describe the average monthly temperature and precipitation values and annual totals (average highs, lows, and precipitation for the year). How and why do these figures vary by season? You may want to discuss polar front theory in your response.
b. Which types of storms are common in the region by season? What types of weather are associated with these storms? Explain your answer using relevant Earth science processes.
c. What is the maximum recorded precipitation amount and type? What type of weather system caused the extreme situation? You may also want discuss the Earth science processes that gave rise to the extreme weather event.
d. How frequently do extreme precipitation events occur? In other words, is the location frequently subject to large storms? Use the storm data provided to calculate a simple recurrence interval to support your answer. Be sure to explain how you arrived at your calculation.
e. Analyze the monthly stream discharge data provided. How does stream discharge relate to the monthly weather and climate data, and how does that affect surrounding landscapes? Explain your answer using relevant Earth science processes.
VI. Analysis of Findings. Summarize what your preliminary findings on the basic geomorphology and climate for the proposed location suggest with respect to the planned development. In other words, is the area a good location for a subdivision? Why or why not?
Milestone One: Geologic Analysis
Milestones
In Module Two, you will submit your geologic analysis. You will write a report detailing the underlying geology of the project site. Using the cross section, topographic map, and soil profile for your preliminary report on environmental findings, be sure to fully explain any geologic features present and include elements relative to the formation of those features. Also, detail how you derived each of your conclusions. Lastly, discuss how the base geology might relate to the proposed surface development.
Milestone Two: Streams and Tectonics Analysis
In Module Four, you will submit your streams and tectonics analysis. You will write a report that details elements of the surface landscape and larger scale tectonics for the project site. Using the materials for the subdivision project, you will be asked to properly analyze a topographic map in addition to historical data on regional earthquakes and volcanos. You must explain all landscape features and describe how each element formed. Further, you will be asked to detail aspects of the fluvial and tectonic landscape relative to the proposed human development and discuss how you came to your conclusions.
Milestone Three: Weather Analysis
In Module Six, you will submit a weather analysis. You will generate a report detailing climatic and weather elements of the proposed development site. You will use the weather data and climographs from the proposed subdivision to create an accurate description of atmospheric elements (such as base climatology and storm types/magnitudes/frequencies) and relate extreme precipitation events to the landscape and fluvial systems.