Relation of Information Systems to Earthquakes and Volcanoes - Essay Example

How Does Information System Technology relate to Earthquakes and Volcanoes? Earthquakes and hurricanes can cause manyharms to mankind. The degree of the damage depends on actions of humanity that heighten vulnerability or inaction that could help to mitigate the effects of such natural events. People responsible for planning know the different pieces of information that have to be analysed in the planning process. As new and more sophisticated pieces of data are being measured, the process usually grows more complicated. In addition to these added complications, the planner avoids being overwhelmed by the information through techniques that help him/her manage it (E.emetere 13-16). When maps that show different information regarding the same area are made, it constitutes a geographical information system. Computer technology is greatly advancing the cost of examining large areas. Activities such as information manipulation, digitization, map reproduction and interpretation are steps that in the GIS that help generate accurate information on a real time basis. The data that is manipulated by a computer is very cheap and user friendly. Maps can be scaled up or down. In addition, information can be put into tables that make it suitable for repeated analysis, decision-making and project design. Despite the inability of information systems to produce information of a cartographic quality, the information generated is of importance to teams that analyse and plan on mitigation techniques (Johannes 61). One of the processes involved in an Information System is data input. It encompasses data from spatial maps, remote sensors and several other sources can be transformed into digital format. The devices used include keyboards, digitizers, interactive terminals, scanners and CCTS. Digitizing is the best data input option because it is the cheapest yet simplest option. The two data types that must be information in a GIS are geographic references and attributes. References refer to the coordinates of the area. Attributes are the numerical codes that refer to each cell or group of coordinates in the area (Altamimi 47). The next step is the storage of the collected data on the volcanic or earthquake zone. Storage refers to the way in which data is organised and structured within the information system. Organisation can be done on the basis of location, attribute design or interrelationship. Computer systems allow the storage of large amounts of data since such can be stored in hard disks as well as portable diskettes. Data regarding earthquake or volcanic zones can be manipulated and processed. Processing allows the researcher to see the operations that are necessary to eliminate errors and update datasets. Moreover, the researcher can use different analytical techniques on the data that enable him answer specific questions created by the user. Data manipulation can range from an overlay of two maps to a complicated information extraction process, where many pieces of information are extracted from a wide variety of sources (Johannes 6). In seismically active areas, data manipulation is followed by data output. It refers to the presentation of data that uses different output formats. The formats can be maps, graphs, charts, tables. These output forms can be in hardcopy or softcopy. The use of information systems on natural disasters together with population and natural resources information is of importance to planners. Planners can use it to determine areas that are less prone to earthquakes and volcanoes. In so doing, building of infrastructure can begin without worries. In the same lines, information system technology can help reveal the areas that are prone to national disasters in order to ascertain their level of risk. Sub nationally, information systems can be used to study hazards and show where such natural phenomena is likely to occur. This information combined with demographic and infrastructural data allows planners to study the risks posed by natural disasters. The information is critical for the mitigation of potential natural disasters to manageable levels (Earle 52). Japan is one of the countries that is found in one of the most active volcanic and seismic zones in the world. Information System Technology helps in monitoring the activity throughout the region. Therefore, the country can get early warning before disasters strike. Such warnings help to mitigate disasters that are as a result of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis. There are several tools that are used in information system technology to monitor seismic activity. They include seismographs and seismic intensity meters. These tools measure the earth’s activity and report the findings to a central data command. For instance, in Japan, all seismograph and seismic intensity metre output are taken to the Earthquake Phenomena Observation System in Tokyo as well as the Osaka District Meteorological Observatory in real time (Vitoriano 37). In the event of an earthquake, the measurement tools give information regarding the earthquake. It includes the hypocenter, magnitude and intensity of the earthquake. In case the seismic activity is at level three or greater, the information is issued within one and a half minutes. The information is then given to agencies that help prevent disasters through dedicated lines. The public gets to know of the incoming disasters via the media and local governments. Such information initiates search and rescue operations together with relief efforts that are related to seismic disasters. The information systems used to measure earthquakes and volcanoes mainly measure the intensity of the forces. Therefore, seismic intensity is the degree of the ground motion at a particular place. The intensity changes with the distance from the epicentre. Also, the surface geology influences the intensity of the volcano or earthquake. The scale usually ranges from imperceptible (0), all the way to ten. The seismic intensity meter is the tool that measures the intensity of an earthquake or volcano. There are reference tables that explain situations and levels of damage caused by different levels of seismic intensity (Earle 92). There are other tools such as the earthquake early warning systems that offer warning in advance concerning expected seismic activity. The tool offers information as to the time and the principal motion that is required. Such estimates depend on prompt analysis of the focal point and magnitude of the earthquake or volcano through the use of waveform data collected from seismographs close to the epicentre. The purpose of the early warning system is to mitigate the potential damage caused by earthquakes by giving ample time to conduct countermeasures. These include activities such as slowing down traffic, controlling elevators and protecting people in offices, factories, houses and near cliffs (Altamimi 24). The information system technologies also allow scientists to get information regarding tsunamis. Such information is important for coastal regions. In the event of an earthquake, the systems calculate the possibility of a tsunami as a result of the observed data. If a tsunami is required the agency issued a tsunami advisory for every region that is within two to three minutes from the epicentre. If a tsunami is expected to hit in regions far away from the place where these implements are located, warnings can be issued for long propagating tsunamis. Countries in the active volcanic zone such as Japan face many active volcanoes and earthquakes every year. Such activities greatly hinder human life. To mitigate the effects of such seismic activities, information system technology observation instruments are deployed in areas that are seismically active. Teams that are specialised in observation are sent to various locations to conduct regular patrols. When seismic anomalies are detected, monitoring activities in these areas are stepped up. Information regarding the earthquake or volcano is published in regular bulletins (E.emetere 17). Information system technologies allow countries in active seismic zones to give warnings and forecasts regarding volcanic activities. Such warnings are given depending on the impending volcanic disasters. The warnings from the information systems specify the localities in which people should take action. The information systems technologies give warnings for volcanoes that are less active and those that become active (Altamimi 25). At times, volcanic coordination committees are established in countries that lie in active volcanic zones. Such committees are made up of experts from the academia as well as related organisations. This committee reviews volcanic activity from time to time in order to provide an outlook when required (Johannes 47). In conclusion, when preparing an information system to assist monitor and mitigate disasters, a needs assessment must be initiated. The assessment must be thorough. The assessment should be followed by an economic analysis for the acquisition of geographical information system. The committee should select among alternative systems and appliances and then establish a database. As natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanoes are on the rise, the use of information systems in such prone areas should be intensified. Works Cited E.emetere, Moses. "Monitoring and Prediction of Earthquakes using Simulated Temperature Deviation Curve Model." International Journal of Applied Information Systems 4.3 (2012): 13-17. Earle, Paul S. Prompt assessment of global earthquakes for response (PAGER): a system for rapidly determining the impact of earthquakes worldwide. Reston, Va.: U.S. Geological Survey, 2009. Petrus Johannes, Maria van Oosterom, Siyka Zlatanova, Elfriede M. Fendel. Geo-information for disaster management. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 2005. Vitoriano, Begoña. Decision aid models for disaster management and emergencies. Amsterdam: Atlantis Press, 2013. Zuheir Altamimi, Xavier Collilieux. Reference Frames for Applications in Geosciences. Dordrecht: Springer, 2012. Read More