Permeability “Permeability” in engineering geology and geotechnical engineering refers to the property of a soil sample (or porous rock) which relates to transmitting a fluid within. Permeability measures the relative case of flow under unequal pressure. Permeability is calculated using Darcy’s Law.

Vent Riser in Methane Mitigation Vent Riser in Methane Mitigation: As per the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Methane Code, Ordinance Number 175790, a vent riser is a cast iron or ABS pipe that runs through the building walls (vertically). A vent riser is part of a methane mitigation system and has…

Strike-Slip Fault or Transform Fault Strike-Slip Fault (Transform Fault): In the field of geology, a strike-slip fault, or a transform fault, is a fault in which movement is parallel to the strike of the fault plane. The opposite of a strike-slip fault is a dip-slip fault. Left-Lateral or Right-Lateral Strike-Slip Fault A transform fault can…

Mineraloid Definition The term “mineraloid” refers to a natural earth substance that appears to be similar to a genuine mineral, although lacks any form of internal structure and crystal form. Nonetheless, a mineraloid does comprise true minerals within it. For instance, Fire Opal and Blue Opal are not minerals because they are amorphous (do not…

Maximum Soil Screening Levels (MSLs) Maximum Soil Screening Levels (MSLs): MSLs are a list of risk-based hydrocarbon concentrations for soil pollution evaluations, that is developed by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. These screening levels are based on the Leaking Underground Fuel Tanks (LUFT) Manual, for cleaning up soil contamination from leaking USTs. However, MSLs…

Fault Creep Fault Creep: Fault creep means slow ground displacement of a strike-slip fault or dip-slip fault, that usually occurs without accompanying earthquakes. Fault creep can derive from tectonic activity, or be the result of excessive petroleum and groundwater pumping.