Introduction of harmful substances into the environment by manufacturing, power generation, mining, or material processing.
Removal of natural materials or properties (such as heat) for use.
ocean or sea
Cutting into the subsurface, for example into underground strata, ice, or a tree trunk, to remove material for examination. Intended for broad use wherever coring is done. The combination of this term with other terms will convey the context of the activity.
Naturally occurring hydrocarbons, typically fluid or gas, often of economic use. Includes oil, natural gas, and asphaltic compounds found in tar sands and oil shales.
Strips of land (of indefinite width) that extend from the low-tide line inland to the first major change in landform features. [Adapted from Glossary of Geology, 4th ed.]
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey