Assignment

1) It is predicted that clean water will one day be more valuable than oil. Do you think this is plausible? Why or why not? Summarize some of the threats to clean water. Contrast this to your local water source. Do you know the source of your drinking water (local river, aquifer, or reservoir?). What are possible contaminates where you live? In your response to another student, compare the water challenges in your area with the ones discussed by another student in his/her post. Does your area suffer from droughts? Floods? Contamination? You might also share an experience where you have had limited water resource and explain what that was like.

2) Imagine that your city was hit by a major earthquake. What kind of damage would you see? For example, are there dams upstream of your city that might burst and release floodwaters? Are there any major pipelines that would be vulnerable, leading to fires? Are you near a coast? Is there a threat of tsunamis? Do you think your city's building codes are enough to withstand a major earthquake?

3) In your own words, discuss the geologic history of the area where you live or grew up. Discuss some of the major factors that might have played a role in shaping the local terrain (major rivers, sea-level changes, volcanoes, ancient sea beds, glaciers, earthquakes, etc.). If needed, spend a few minutes researching your state on-line, (search for your state and "geologic history"). Be sure to list all sources that you use in your answer.

Based on the descriptions of the other students, respond to a student who lives in a place that you would like to live or visit. What is it about the geology of the place that intrigues you? Be sure to keep the discussion based in science.