Geologic Analysis of a Project Site: A Case Study in Earth System Science, Cheat Sheet of Earth Sciences

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2-2 Final Project Milestone One: Geologic Analysis Laura Spradley Southern New Hampshire University PHY103: Earth System Science Lynda Folts November 6,

The cross-section shows the order of deposition of the rock layers when looking at the underlying geology of the project site. Because the diagram depicts the fault cutting through all the rock strata, the volcanic vent is the youngest feature in the cross-section. The fault would be the next-youngest element in the figure if the vent developed before the fault moved because it would be offset like the rock layers. Layer A, a limestone layer, is the youngest layer of rock after the fissure. Salty lakes or shallow tropical oceans are where limestone is formed. Although layer A is the youngest rock layer, this does not indicate the current landscape resembles layer A because layer A is the youngest layer that has so far persisted even though the current landscape may be deteriorating. The area's sedimentary layers gave rise to intrusive igneous rock known as Layer I, which is the second layer. As an intrusive igneous rock, layer I, the magma may have formed from incomplete melting of pre-existing rocks located far below the Earth's surface. Layer B, which is composed of sandstone, is the third layer from the surface. Sandstone accumulates in places like riverbeds, beaches, and sand dunes in the desert. The fourth layer, layer C, is composed of limestone and, like layer A, originates in shallow tropical oceans or salty lakes. Given that layer A and C are on either side of layer B and that limestone is a product of dissolved minerals in seawater, this often leads in the development of a marine environment. Because the sea cannot receive fresh water, or when limestone is in an extremely humid environment, limestone expects to form wherever it is. The second layer, D, is made up of coal and is most frequently developed in an area of land that is moist. This layer is created when plant matter is buried before it can degrade. Pressure and low heat levels, which are insufficient to melt or burn the organic stuff, are then

topsoil takes time to grow, Horizons B and C would have less organic matter and varied amounts in each. Whether organic matter would accumulate will depend on how steep the slope of the landscape is. The formation of topsoil will be more challenging the steeper the slope. The first diagram reveals thick strata O and A, which could indicate that there are several trees and plants growing there. The second diagram suggests that the area might be a dry pine forest rather than the temperate forest depicted in the first diagram since it has a thin topsoil and essentially no O horizon. The third profile, which could be a desert setting, has a thin O horizon and no A horizon because it was eroded away. Except for locations higher up on the hills and on steep slopes, the erosion in this area shouldn't be very rapid based on the soil profiles and the topographic map. The soil profile with the thicker topsoil may have come from the valley bottom, whereas the other soil profiles may have come from slopes that were covered with trees. This is because the more topsoil there is in a profile, the less erosion may be anticipated from that area. The areas where limestone is present at the surface are where the underlying geology can have the most impact on an overlaying neighborhood because the limestone will progressively dissolve in the wetter environment. In a wet climate, limestone may dissolve below and produce caverns because it dissolves in water. A sinkhole could develop if one of the caverns grows too large and collapses. Wherever sandstone is present on the surface, the land should be more stable, therefore depending on how the landscape is laid out, the soil must have a specific composition for structures to be built upon and where the presence of the volcanic vent is located. The fault implies that there is some degree of earthquake risk, and it will inflict damage if it slips once more and triggers an earthquake there. The local government will want to build

sensors to detect signs of magma moving underground if there is a volcanic vent present in the area because there is a chance that there may be more volcanic activity in the future. References 7 Geologic Time – An Introduction to Geology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://opengeology.org/textbook/7-geologic-time/ C horizon | soil type. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/science/C-horizon