NOVA'S video Killer Landslide - Article Example

Part Summary of NOVA’S video “Killer Landslide” The video is a creation of NOVA, whose main ambition is to explore theforces behind deadliest landslides. In this case, NOVA gives a survey of Oso’s deadliest landslide after the phenomena caused havoc in that community. As it shows the startling site of the leftovers after the Oso’s landslides, a narrator who is joined by several other major characters including U.S Geological Survey, landslide survivor, witnesses, rescuer, chief pilot and geologist makes up the scenes (NOVA). The video is set at the Oso community showing the different aspects that transpire during landslides, from people rescuing one another to the effects resulting from landslides. it is noted that the origin of the landslide was a heavy rain, which could measure to 2 feet thereby leading to the downward movement of the earth’s debris that lasted for about 138 seconds. The mud arising from this cause buried various properties including houses, people and the highways thereby extending its effect. The narrator asserts that the number of bodies possibly recovered was 43 at the time of narration and each had a devastating look. In which case, a family of one of the victims is brought forward to narrate their efforts towards rescuing their own from the landslides. Dayn Brunner gives a painful narration about the encounter; and how they spent the rest of the hour digging in order to reach their sister’s body. Apart from the appalling encounter with the landslides, the video gives chance for expert view about the fatal landslides. as it is said, the occurrence of a landslide, especially a deadliest like Oso’s, gives the geologists a chance to make a milestone in defining ways to counter such attacks whenever they occur. From this specific landslides, the outstanding descrIption as given by Lorenz Meier is that the movement of the landslides was unusually more constants. He states, “it accelerates with rain and slows down a little bit when its dry. But its moving constantly.” This is an indication that something could have been done to avoid the effect of the landslide in the area. A forestry engineer had initially started looking over the possible occurrence of the landslide with an extension-meter to give a precise measurement of the growing gap between the stable side of the mountain and the sliding side. From his InSAR measurement, Lorenz was table to make a precise prediction about the occurrence of the ominous landslides. The narrator and the accompanying experts enlighten the viewers about the possible use of a system called InSAR, which could monitor a mountain found to be dangerous. The nature of the landslides prompts an expert view about how to make use of the prediction, given about the occurrence of landslide to save the people. Even though close monitoring of every mountainous area is impossible, the narrator asserts that bringing such potential hazards to light is a major step towards saving the people. The case of Oso is a perfect example, which supports narrator’s assertion that if information obtained from the prediction were made available then something could have happened differently. David MontGomery asserts that lidar data holds evidence for such large landslides but all this could go to waste if not released to the people. Not releasing information to the people beforehand is major failure, which might have made the subject landslide more ominous. People, in this case include, “the homeowners who may be making decisions about where to live, the agencies who may be making decisions about where to permit different kinds of development, where to place highways”. Part 2: Literature review Studying impacts of landslides In past decades, various impacts of landslides have elevated solely due to rapid urbanization experienced in the developing countries. The impact of this ominous process can be explored in terms of the human life, natural environment and other difficulties. Intuitively, many researchers have involved themselves on achieving a satisfying view about landslides impacts even though the results arising give a limited view. Due to this problem, Alimohammadlou et al set on a case of considering alternative process, which can give out a significant concept about risks and hazards associated with landslides (Alimohammadlou et al, 221). Through the usefulness of classification theory, the writers find it easy to support their view with several case examples. The classification process involves discussing landslides in terms of socio economic impacts and socio-economic impacts. From their findings, it comes out that the losses exhibited in the physical and socio economic framework are more dominant in the more populated areas and civilization centers. Indifferent to other researchers, Alimohammadlou makes use of systematic organizational approach in approaching the issue of exploring landslides impacts. A better way to study impacts of landslides is through exploring ways in which it affects the framework around the communities. Both the natural environment and socio-economic framework are immediate context, which allows an individual to relate efficiently to the impact of landslides. As Alimohomadlou et al states that landslide on the natural environment will ultimately have impact on the forest and land cover, streams and water sources besides the topographic impacts (Alimohammadlou et al 224). In which case, the extent to which the t forest and land cover is affected have a direct impact on the population. Through burying the land with mud the productivity therein is likely to be affected thereby leading to a decline in food source. Further, the landslides can have tremendous impacts on the stream and water source, through diverting their flow or even altering the composition. The ultimate impact will be on the people living around. Besides, the socio-economic loss also gives a picture of the landslides impacts especially through studying economic and human impact. In their findings Alimohomadlou et al asserts that landslides impact can be measured in terms of its impact on the economic make-up of the society (Alimohammadlou et al 228). Convincingly, they give an example where landslide had buried the way and destroyed properties leading to economic losses. Alternatively, the death toll of human and loss of their properties is also intrinsic in this case. In conclusion, landslides’ impact is not simple concept, which can be studied from only one dimension. A researcher needs to instill more energy on classifying the existing dimensions, based on who or what suffers the loss. The classification process involves discussing landslides in terms of socio economic impacts and socio-economic impacts. It comes out that the landslide losses exhibited in the physical and socio economic framework gives a more comprehensive view of the general impact of a landslide on a population. Technology in assessing the impact of landslides The need to better the Earth Surface processes, especially landslides, has led to the emergence of remote-sensing techniques to help in obtaining relevant terrain information. In countering landslides’ impacts, problem usually arises because of lack of information about the phenomena. The geomorphic signatures associated with landslides have presented the researchers with difficult moments when obtaining information about the aspect. Consequently, the onset of technology has presented a platform in which Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) techniques can be applied in obtaining high-resolution topography for the analysis of landslides. Jaboyedoff et al walks a reader through an intriguing extent of applications that need the use of LIDAR. One of the major aspects coming out when analyzing a landslide is associated mass movement. The geologists need to have a prior information about mass movement in any mountainous region. In which case, there is need for detection and characterization of the movement therein. In his case, Paolo Tarolli asserts that a high-resolution topography is essential for the geologist to have in-depth image of a relief (Tarolli, 299). The only way to obtain high resolution is through the use of LIDAR. Jaboyedoff et al asserts that LIDAR gives a high-resolution digital elevation models that allows the scientist to obtain topographic signatures (Jaboyedoff et al, 7). Further, exploration of landslides also requires the scientists to carry out hazard assessment on the vulnerable areas and give out susceptibility mapping. This process can only be feasible through the use of LIDAR that allows the scientist to obtain image to the extent of a vertical cliff. Intuitively, remote sensing presents a milestone in the analysis of landslides after it has come out that there is complexity in carrying out research on geomorphic signatures. Through the use of LIDAR the responsible administration have been able to carry out hazard and risk assessment thereby leading to proper risk management in landslide cases. Through obtaining high-resolution topography, LIDAR is applied in detection and characterization of mass movement during landslides. Work cited Jaboyedoff et al. Use of LIDAR in landslide investigations: A Review. Nat Hazards (2012) 61:5– 28 DOI 10.1007/s11069-010-9634-2 Alimohammadlou, Yashar, Najafi, Asadalla &Yalcin, Ali. Landslide Process and Impacts: A Proposed Classification Method. Catena 104 (2013) 219-232. NOVA. Killer Landslides. Video, 2014, retrieved on 16th Feb 2015 from: http://video.pbs.org/video/2365370505/ Tarolli, Paolo. High-resolution topography for understanding Earth surface processes: Opportunities and challenges. Volume 216, 1 July 2014, Pages 295–312 doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.03.008 Read More