Retrospective of the Earthline Hazardous-Waste Landfill Failure, a Case Study of Legacy Landfills and Dumps
CME Department Seminar
November 14, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM America/Chicago
Presenter: Christopher Stohr, PhD, Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists and Geological Society of America
Location: ERF 1047
Abstract: Subject of a landmark, legal-precedent setting trial, an unlined, hazardous-waste landfill was said by experts ‘not to leak in 100 years’ however, contaminants were detected in monitoring wells 3 meters from the burial trenches only 3 years after closure. Field and lab tests, and remote sensing measurements showed causes for the ‘faster than predicted’ contaminant migration from a hazardous waste landfill, but why? Numerous landfills are similarly constructed throughout the world.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Christopher ‘Chris’ Stohr retired after a long career at the Illinois State Geological Survey, Prairie Research, Institute, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he participated in or led research on landslides, trench covers, groundwater, agronomic analysis of lake sediments, downhole geophysics, precision agriculture, remote sensing, coastal erosion, close range photogrammetry and terrestrial and aerial laser scanning, archeology, glacial geology, height modernization [geodetic surveying], and geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide.
ISGS investigations at the Earthline Industrial Chemical Waste Landfill identified failure mechanisms and the observed difference drainage characteristics of depressions in earthen covers of landfills using post-sunset thermal infrared imagery [ASPRS Autometric Award] which became the focus of a late-career PhD dissertation. Stohr has investigated dumps and legacy landfills in Midwestern USA, Egypt, Malawi, and Patagonia, Argentina.
Stohr was a Fulbright Senior Specialist at Beni Suef University, Egypt, and participated in and led international humanitarian development projects in Malawi, Africa. He is a professional geologist and certified engineering geologist in Illinois and Oregon, and sits on the Illinois Board of Licensing for rofessional Geologists. Stohr served as thrice-elected member of the Champaign County Board, and twice appointed to serve on the Mahomet Aquifer Council, and is an active member of ASPRS, AEG and GSA.
Date posted
Nov 11, 2025
Date updated
Nov 11, 2025