Unconfined Aquifer Unconfined Aquifer: In the hydrogeology branch of geology, an unconfined aquifer is an aquifer that has a water table. In fact, an unconfined aquifer can only be the uppermost hydrogeologic unit and is particularly one that has no hydraulic head (or pressure) that is equal to atmospheric pressure. To illustrate, depth to groundwater…

Anion Anion: In the fields of chemistry and geochemistry, an anion is a negatively charged ion. The oppositely charged ion is a cation.    

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…

Design Methane Pressure (Soil Formation Pressure) Design Methane Pressure or Soil Formation Pressure: As per the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Methane Code, Ordinance Number 175790, Design Methane Pressure means the highest observed measurement of soil formation pressure during the methane testing process. In fact, a Design Methane Pressure measurement that is…

Single Station Methane Gas Detector Single Station Methane Gas Detector: As per the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Methane Code, Ordinance Number 175790, a single station methane gas detector is a device consisting of electrical components that are capable of measuring methane soil gas concentrations indoors, and initiating an alarm. The single…

Metamorphic Rock Definition In the field of geology, the term “Metamorphic Rock” refers to a rock classification that is the result of the alteration of prior existing sedimentary rocks or igneous rocks. The alteration process is “metamorphosis, and can take place by various methods and environments. The metamorphosis process produces specific metamorphic rocks, on the…