Overview of geology as related to environmental concerns in New Mexico

TitleOverview of geology as related to environmental concerns in New Mexico
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Publication1981
AuthorsHawley J., Love DW
Conference NameNew Mexico Geological Society, Special Publication No. 10
Pagination1-10
Date Published1981
PublisherNew Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources
Call Number00105
Keywordsabstract, abstracts, conference, conference proceedings, conferences, environment,geology, geology,environmental concerns, geomorphology, processes, proceeding, proceedings
AbstractNew Mexico faces a special set of environmental problems associated with rich mineral resources, a dry climate, and vast areas of low population. Complex interactions between geology and environmental concerns involve geologic processes that have adverse effects on human activities, and modern society's use of mineral, land, and water resources. Geologic processes include moderate-intensity earthquakes, surface subsidence due to rock dissolution, stream floods, debris flows, and landslides. Geological related human impacts on the environment include surface and subsurface extraction of economic mineral deposits (primarily energy minerals), ground-water development, construction of dams and power plants, disposal of hazardous wastes, and establishment of large-area reserves for military operations and scientific research. Geologists have a major role in helping solve environmental problems resulting from effects of geomorphic processes and development of mineral, water, and land resources. Inventories much be made of these processes and resources in order to put complex process-resource-human interactions in proper space and time perspective. Guidelines can then be formulated for mitigation or prevention of geology-related problems. For example, mined lands need to be reclaimed, cities need to be planned, and sites need to be selected for hazardous-waste disposal. Finally, geologists must clearly present available information on relationships between geology and human concerns. The hallmark of environmental geology should be effective communication with nongeologists.
Custom 1Socorro, New Mexico