New geological era: the Anthropocene

[WingZero]

Not sure where this should go, but MSNBC.com is reporting about the problem of Urban sprawl and how the nature of population growth will cause Cities to increase in size dramatically and that we need a balanced approach with nature and our needs.

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news...-texas-by-2030

[majicbar]

Not sure where this should go, but MSNBC.com is reporting about the problem of Urban sprawl and how the nature of population growth will cause Cities to increase in size dramatically and that we need a balanced approach with nature and our needs.

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news...-texas-by-2030

Well as a geographer I can tell you that despite the growth of large urban centers, the net real occupation of the land is not greatly increasing, certainly not in proportion to the rate of population growth. Small towns are disappearing and the push for suburbs is being stifled by the cost of transportation to go to work and for shopping. If anything the trend today is for increased densification of urbanism. The big push will be to end the radial design of cities and to begin forming sub centers around the central hub, at distances of about 10 miles. We will return eventually to a semi walking urbanization with large condo type development around large shopping centers. Electric autos and trolleys of light rail will help move people, but the cost of the transition will be enormous, we will have to radically change our thinking first. The cost of energy will largely shape this future and if we can make breakthroughs without the PTB stepping on them, then we have a chance to make a usable future, or they will eat us for lunch.

[ribeditaa]

What's the difference between geology and earth sciences? I'm applying to university and what to do geology. I researched the programs offered at these universities to become a geologist, and the choices are either earth sciences or geology. My question is what's the difference between geology and earth sciences?
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[WingZero]

What's the difference between geology and earth sciences? I'm applying to university and what to do geology. I researched the programs offered at these universities to become a geologist, and the choices are either earth sciences or geology. My question is what's the difference between geology and earth sciences?

I took a Geography class and that dealt with all everything is related and connected to each other (Land, biosphere, atmosphere, people and culture, etc.). To me Geology is the mainly focused on the study of land mass...this includes: rocks, minerals, gems, etc. Geology is the study of where these rock formations occur around the Earth and the process by which they occur (Example: How Diamonds are formed). I remember seeing an HBO special called: From The Earth To The Moon...it had Tom Hanks has the narrator. This HBO special was a 6 part hour long series about what it took to get to the moon. One of last episodes featured one of the latter Apollo Missions that dealt with a lot of Geology about where rocks form and how they form...and more specifically the RARE type of rocks that the Apollo Crew needed to find. To do this; they brought a Geologist to train the Astronauts...they went into the desert (Nevada or Arizona...somewhere in that area) and they spent several weeks looking at rocks...it was a really good episode...I would recommend seeing the series.

Now Earth Science is a broader area of study....like Environment Earth Studies (How humans and life effect the Environment). Climate Scientists usually study Earth Science...how the planet works in a day to day to century+ time period. There are Earth Scientists, that deal with Climate studies that travel to Antarctica to take ice samples to see how the change of environment changed the ice in that area.

So, if you like to work with rocks and are fascinated by landmass movement and changes...Geology is your subject....if you want to be more Environmental (and that could come in handy for constructing environmentally friendly buildings)...this also could include a bit of Meteorology (Weather patterns)...Earth Science would be the choice

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I've found a new source on this subject....the BBC News is reporting on this matter. Here is the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13335683