Many of us have heard this famous expression: “All Politics is Local.” Incidentally, the same idea applies to the geotechnical and environmental engineering profession. In that sense, we can say “All Geotechnics is Local!” Local building codes, guidelines for work in the profession, and standards of care vary greatly by both region and local agency…
Considering some new construction on your home? Here’s something you should definitely familiarize yourself with: some jurisdictions (such as the city of Glendale) allow for analyses known as “modified soils reports” for small addition projects. So, what are modified soils reports? Typically these involve a short site visit by a soils engineer, followed by a…
With the ever-increasing value of land in metropolitan areas, property owners are encouraged to make improvements on underutilized properties. This generally involves making additions to dwellings or structures when ample land is available. Property improvements are typically done in coordination with remodeling projects. Sometimes, even the smallest dwelling addition can trigger the soils/geology report requirement…
In a radical step away from the tradition of looking at the Earth’s core (center) and mantle (surface portion) separately, scientists have taken a look at the geochemical signatures of each with a new model that considers how the two might interact. This new model concludes that the core began as an iron-rich metallic planetesimal…
When is Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment needed? When a Recognized Environmental Condition is discovered during the Phase 1 Environmental Assessment, additional testing can be recommended in cases where it seems likely that there is an environmental liability that will substantially reduce the value of the property in question. This is typical in cases where…
Olivine is an abundant silicate found in Earth’s mantle, and many meteorites contain this mineral. Olivine is typically olive green in color, but can also be yellow-green to bright green and brownish-green to brown. The opacity of olivine ranges from transparent to translucent, and its texture is brittle with many fractures. Olivine is commonly associated…
No discussion of the impacts of a drought can be complete without a consideration of the long-term impact. Most people are familiar with the short-term effects of a drought: the loss of surface and groundwater. Long-Term Impacts Some of the long-term impacts are also well-known. As an area becomes increasingly dry, it also becomes more…
The Earth is composed of four main parts. These parts are evident in the geology of the Earth and natural disasters that we observe every day. #1: The Core The composition of the Earth begins with the inner parts of the planet. The Earth’s core is the densest part of the planet. It is made…
Diamonds are much more than just a girl’s best friend. They are actually very useful in many respects beyond being admired for their beauty. While they are easily the most popular gemstone purchased in the United States, possibly because of their common use in wedding ceremonies, they also have many industrial uses because of their…
This article I wrote was published recently in LA Times local papers. it doesn’t pertain to geology directly, but certainly worth a look: Population densities in the Southland have increased dramatically over the last generation, and are slated to multiply further as large apartment structures go up across the city to meet the renewed demand…
