Fall 1999 Seminar in Environmental Geology of Omaha

Instructor: Dr. Harmon Maher

01328 GEOL 2500-002 Special Topics in GEOG-GEOLOGY TH 3-4 PM

1 credit

Outline for first lecture:

Course mechanics:

• Review of syllabus.
• Time commitment for this seminar: 2-3 hours.
• Participation: measured by attendance, by response to questions and generation of discussion and by anonymous peer evalaution.
• Need notebook for field trips.

Definition and history of urban geology:

• geologic knowledge useful in planning, resource management and protection, and natural hazard prevention and mitigation in an urban setting.
• earlier UNO student work.

Major geologic units and geomorphic elements of the Omaha metropolitan area:

• Major geomorphic elements:
  • Platte River flood plain
  • Missouri River flood plain
  • Papio River flood plain
  • Missouri River terrace
  • Loess Bluffs
  • Dissected Loess Hills
• Major geologic units:
  • Alluvium
  • Loess
  • Glacial till
  • Dakota sandstone
  • Paleozoic limestones and shales
• link to diagram of geologic units

Some potential environmental concerns in Omaha with a geologic component:

• lead contamination in soils.
• flooding.
• differential compaction and associated engineering concerns.
• accelerated erosion.
• mass wasting.
• aquifer contamination.
• old landfills.
• buried storage tanks.

Sources of information on urban geology:

• newspaper articles.
• professional publications.
• websites.
• government agencies (EPA, USGS, Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality).
• local experts.

Return to seminar syllabus.