Editing Environmental geology (section)

=== Land use ===
[[File:West_Newton_Land_Use_Map_2021.jpg|thumb|486x486px|This is an example of a simple land use map. This shows the land usage of West Newton in southeast Minnesota along the Mississippi River as of April 2021.]]
Planning out the [[Land use|usage of land]] is important to reduce the risk of natural hazards on humans and their infrastructure, but mostly to reduce negative human impact on the natural environment. The land, water, air, materials, and energy use are all critically impacted by human settlement and resource production.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Randolph|first=J|title=Environmental land use planning and management|publisher=Island Press|year=2004|isbn=9781559639484}}</ref> New sites must be found for mining, waste disposal, and industrial sites as these are all parts of an industrial society. Suitable sites are often difficult to find and get approval for as they must be shown to have barriers so contaminants are prevented from entering the environment.

Site investigation in [[Land-use planning|land use planning]] often includes at least two phases, an orientating investigation and a detailed investigation. The information in an orientating investigation is obtained through maps and other archived data. The information in a detailed investigation is obtained through a reconnaissance survey in the field and by reviewing the historic land use.

The orientating investigation includes:

* [[topography]], land use and vegetation, settlements, roads and railways,
* [[climate]]: precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration, direction and the velocity of the wind, as well as the frequency of strong winds,
* hydrological and hydrogeological conditions: streams, lakes and ponds, springs, wells, use and quality of surface and groundwater, runoff, water balance, aquifer/aquiclude properties and stratigraphy, groundwater table, [[groundwater recharge]] and discharge,
* geology: soil, geological structures, stratigraphy and lithology,
* ecological aspects: e.g., nature reserves, protected geotopes, water protection areas.

The detailed investigation includes:<ref name=":1" />

* geology: thickness and lateral extent of strata and geological units, lithology, homogeneity and heterogeneity, bedding conditions and tectonic structures, fractures, impact of weathering, 
* [[groundwater]]: water table, water content, direction and rate of groundwater flow, hydraulic conductivity, value of aquifer, 
* geochemical site characterization: chemical composition of soil, rocks and groundwater, estimation of contamination retention, 
* geotechnical stability: The geological barrier must be capable of adsorbing strain from the weight of a landfill, slag heap, or industrial building.
* geogenic events: active faults, karst, earthquakes, subsidence, landslides, 
* anthropogenic activities: mining damage, buildings, quarries, gravel pits, etc., and 
* changes in soil and groundwater quality

Environmental geology includes both the monitorization and planning of land use. Land use maps are made to represent current land use along with possible future uses. Land maps like the one shown can be used to reduce human settlement in areas with potential natural hazards such as floods, geological instability, wildfires, etc.<ref name=":2" /> In the land map shown it can be seen that there is a margin of trees and vegetation between the settlements and Mississippi River to reduce the risk of flood damage as the Mississippi Rivers water levels change.