When purchasing a house or property, a largely ignored aspect is the ground that the house sits on and the environment surrounding the property. Before choosing an area in which to buy a home, many people inquire about traffic-noise levels, crime rates, quality of schools, and whether the house is under the flight path of a major airport. It is logically better to obtain this kind of information before one buys or builds a home, rather than be surprised the first night by jets taking off from a nearby airport. Similarly, gaining knowledge about geologic conditions in an area will assist prospective homeowners, home builders, developers, and real estate agents to make informed decisions regarding potential problems.