Consultant's Corner
Newsletter of the Earth Systems group of companies
Issued quarterly, our Consultant's Corner Newsletter features articles by our professional geotechnical engineers, geologists, hydrogeologists, and geophysicists. To sign up to receive our newsletter, please use the link to the left.
Earthquake Early Warning Systems
 The first time that an earthquake early warning system has been successfully used to warn the general public of an imminent major earthquake was by Japan during the December 2012 earthquake. In the United States, an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system is being developed for the western region. Budgetary, technological, and social challenges exist to implementing the EEW in the US.
Winter 2013The Anthropocene—A New Geologic Epoch?
 During a scientific conference held in 2000, Crutzen argued that human activity has so irrevocably altered the face of the earth that we have entered a new geologic age he termed as "The Anthropocene." The International Commission on Stratigraphy, which, together with its parent organization, the International Union of Geologic Sciences, will determine whether the Anthropocene Epoch will be formally recognized. Our article summarizes the current varied opinions among geologists about how human activity has affected the earth and whether we have left our mark in the geologic record.
Fall 2012
The Vision of Envision 2.0
 Mr. Patrick V. Boales, president of Earth Systems Southern California, recently became an Envision Sustainability Professional. Envision is a new project rating system developed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure intended to help incorporate sustainable approaches into the planning, design, construction, and operation phases of new infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, pipelines, dams, levees, landfills, water treatment systems. Our Summer 2012 newsletter provides an overview of the system and insight into its implementation. This issue also includes the article "Globally Speaking" which offers suggestions for negotiating cultural differences encountered when conducting business worldwide.
Summer 2012
Doomsday Debunking
 The Mayan calendar ending, the Dark Rift, Planet X, supernovas, gamma ray blasts, and super volcanoes are some of the fears associated with the December 2012 doomsday theories. Our main article takes a close look at the real potential for trouble coming our way at the end of the year. Also, we celebrate two of our engineers receiving ASCE Life Member Status, we say farewell to longtime CEO J. Michael Sims, PE, and we welcome our new marketing director, Jon Jaeger, CPSM.
Spring 2012
Building on the Past
 Centuries of excavations under Paris have resulted in a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels, passages, and caverns. Since the late 1700s, above-ground construction has been affected by geotechnical issues associated with underground excavations. London's Big Ben is also experiencing the unintended consequences of construction underground. "Building on the Past" details the history and present day under- and above-ground conditions in Paris and London. Additional stories cover tsunami debris, a skateboard park fundraising event, and fun facts about rhyolite.
Winter 2012
East Coast vs. West Coast Earthquakes
 After the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck near Virginia in August 2011, Earth Systems explains how compressional forces building up over time in the middle of the North American Tectonic Plate produced the earthquake. On the West Coast, the more frequent earthquakes result from the forces along the boundaries of two tectonic plates. The history of the New Madrid earthquakes of the early 1800s is also presented.
View the pdf of the full color newsletter.
Fall 2011
Kayaking the California Coast
 In this issue, we highlight five kayaking tours from Big Sur to San Diego. Our retired employee, Robert Mohle, wrote the book on it: Adventure Kayaking, Trips from Big Sur to San Diego, and we highlight his work just in time for a summer or fall kayaking trek. We also profile leadership transitions with Earth Systems. Our Rock of the Season is Pyrite, which also makes a showing in our New of the Earth section. There you'll learn about deep sea vents and iron disbursement throughout the ocean. In The Kitchen Sink, find out the origins of the term "Bluetooth" and the phrase "know the ropes."
View the pdf of the full color newsletter.
Summer 2011
Anatomy of a Tsunami
 After the May 2011 tsunami along the northern coast of Japan, we thought it would helpful to explain the nature of the tsunami: its causes, behaviors, and early warning signs. Also in the spring issue, we profile our geotechnical work on one of our major projects: the Rose Bowl Renovation in Pasadena, California. We cover our annual technical seminar. And we feature serpentinite in Our Rock of the Season, and poke fun at engineers in The Kitchen Sink.
View the pdf of the full color newsletter.
Spring 2011
Wine Caves are Back in Style
 In this issue we delve into the long tradition of wine caves: their history, their advantages; and their construction. We also profile one of our employees and his experience as a contestant on "The Apprentice." We cover our participation in the I Madonnari Street Painting Festival, and announce a short course in wind turbine design. Our Rock of the Season is Flourite, and we just for fun there are jokes and trivia in The Kitchen Sink.
View the pdf of the full color newsletter.
Winter 2011
Low Impact Development: Geotechnical Considerations that May Affect Your Project
 Although the benefits of on-site storm water infiltration are great, caution must be exercised in implementation due to the potential for unintended and potentially disastrous geotechnical consequences. The keys to avoiding unintended geotechnical consequences are identification of potential site constraints and proper siting of infiltration features.
View the pdf to read other articles including a profile of "Our Man in China."
Fall 2010
Coastal Development in a Warming World
 State and local policies have been developed to require that coastal projects be set back from the edges of ocean bluffs. The policies of the California Coastal Commission have evolved in an effort to more accurately predict future bluff erosion rates and avoid situations such as what recently occurred in Pacifica, California. This article details what the Commission currently requires.
View the pdf to read other articles including "Mitigating Subsurface Water".
Summer 2010
Testing the Limits of High-Rise Construction
 Designing and constructing the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates involved numerous technological challenges. This article details the process, as well as profiles other high-rise projects that presented various problems. "...a strong design team, adequate geotechnical investigation and competent quality assurance during construction are crucial to a successful project outcome."
Spring 2010
 Earth Systems Global, Inc., a New Earth Systems’ company
The newest member of Earth Systems, ESGI was formed to support the growth of renewable energies both nationally and internationally. Focusing on wind and solar energy development, ESGI offers unique and innovative foundation designs for support of wind turbines, thermal concentrators, and power distribution infrastructure. ESGI is the leading expert in the use of the P&H foundation designs: tensionless pier, and rock- and pile-anchor foundations. ESGI will be a key partner in the growth of renewable energy worldwide.
Winter 2010
 Earth Systems, Inc. – Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence
The Earth Systems group of companies mark the 40th anniversary of operations. The article traces the company’s evolution from a relatively small, local company to one of the larger, primarily geotechnical engineering firms in California.
Fall 2009
 Being Green Starts at the Ground
The importance of obtaining geotechnical recommendations early in the process of a Green Building project; how Earth Systems can assist in achieving LEED certification.
Summer 2009
 Engineers Without Borders: Building a Better World One Community at a Time
A Professional Engineer from Earth Systems Pacific and students from the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo chapter of Engineers Without Borders conduct a site survey and assess geotechnical conditions for the development of a local health clinic in Nicaragua.
Spring 2009
 It Could Have Been Worse
How to minimize your risk to environmental contamination by evaluating properties and assessing possible environmental impairments prior to purchase.
Winter 2009
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