Earth and Space Science - Case Study Example

Earth and Space Science                 Monitoring Our Home Planet Several innate phenomena, including eruptions from volcanoes, volcanic tsunamis, flood and earthquakes affect the world today. The effect of these events is destruction at sociological, economic and geographical levels (Davis, 2008). However, with better comprehension of the causes of these natural phenomena, it is wise to initiate mitigation steps to counter the challenges brought about by these events. Monitoring and preventive measures implementation is possible with better understanding of what a natural phenomenon entails (Johnson, 2006). A. Volcanic eruptions Volcanic eruptions are natural phenomenon which can potentially cause great destruction in the area they occur. Despite volcanic eruptions being less frequent in comparison with other natural phenomena, their potential effect is extreme devastation to a level of even causing extinction of organisms. There are several types of volcanoes. They include lava domes, composite volcanoes, simple volcanoes such as cinder cones and shield volcanoes (Johnson, 2006). Lava domes are fairly destructive volcano types. Lava domes volcanoes are characterized by high viscosity levels of magma. Therefore, lava flows easily. Composite volcanoes result from dormant volcanoes. The composite volcanoes cause erosion in the landscape surrounding the volcanoes. This happens as a result of erosion that starts after the cooling of the magma plug (Johnson, 2006). Cinder cone volcanoes are also formed when there is an eruption of a volcano. This type of volcano involves emission of tons of ash into the atmosphere which settles as a cone on the volcano. The fourth type of volcano is shield volcano. Shield volcanoes are extremely expansive in terms of the impact or aftermath in an area they affect. This is due to the amount of basaltic lava usually present in this volcano type. The basaltic lava type flows really easily from cracks that might exist in the volcano and thus can cause expansive damage (Davis, 2008). i. Potential impact Volcanic eruptions can have four major impacts. The first major impact of volcanic eruption is alteration of the landscape of the region surrounding a volcano. The second impact of volcanic eruption especially for super volcanoes is destruction of property by volcanic debris emitted from the volcano. Another effect is poisoning of the environment especially when the ash falls in rivers, lakes and plants (Saravanan, 2004). Lastly, volcanic eruptions reduce solar radiation that reaches the earth surface by displacing sulphuric acid which is released into the atmosphere. ii. Monitoring and detection Geological surveys centers are an example of facilities used to detect impending volcano activity and prevent destruction that might result from it. In the U.S., scientist and geologists in U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) facilities monitor hydraulic activity, satellite imaging, land changes and gas as a way of predicting the impending volcano eruption. Seismology is another method used to detect volcano eruptions (Davis, 2008). In seismology, scientists place seismometers to calculate variation in vibrations in the area near a volcano. They then use the data collected to predict the possibility of an eruption. iii. Geography There are 12 active volcanoes around the world according to Global Volcanism Program. Most of these active volcano sites are located in Asia and Americas continents. In Asia the main countries with active volcanoes are Japan and Indonesia. In Japan, there are two main active volcanoes (Global Volcanism Program, 2013). The active volcanoes in Japan are in Ryukyu Islands and Kyushu region. In the America continent the main countries with active volcanoes are in South America. These countries include Mexico, Peru, Ecuador and the U.S. iv. Resources In order to detect and pre-empt effects and location of volcanic activity, many resources have been channeled in volcanic activity research. Government of countries with active volcanoes have invested in mitigation plans to ensure evacuation of residents near active volcanoes (Johnson, 2006). In U.S, the national government and federal governments have financed institutions that can detect volcano eruptions before their occurrence (Davis, 2008). States like Alaska and California have also instituted monitoring facilities to complement activities of the United States Geological Survey. v. Politics In developed countries like the U.S and Japan there are policies that address natural disaster like volcanic eruptions. In America for example, there are restrictions on the expansion of land near active volcanoes. However, in less developed countries emergence response and mitigation have been only when volcanoes erupt. vi. Disaster Preparedness Continuous monitoring of active volcanoes is extremely fundamental. Restriction of building of structures near an active volcano is one way of reducing effects of a volcano eruption. Early detection and evacuation of people and property is another way of reducing damage as a result of volcanic eruption. B. Earthquakes Earthquakes are another type of natural phenomenon that has disastrous effects. Earthquakes are a result of movement of tectonic plates beneath the earth’s crust resulting on vibration of the earth surface (Saravanan, 2004). When the tectonic plates press each other with force, violent vibration of the earth surface occurs. This violent vibration is the phenomenon known as earthquake. i. Potential impact One major earthquake effect is the destruction of man-made structures including buildings and industries. Earthquakes also have the potential to start tsunamis (Saravanan, 2004). A third impact of earthquakes is the alteration of landscape. ii. Monitoring and detection Earthquakes and volcanic activity are closely related. Thus, scientists also use seismometers to monitor the potential magnitude of an earthquake (Davis, 2008). However, seismometer can only tell how far from the epicenter a seismometer is placed but cannot give the exact location of the epicenter of an earthquake. Therefore, scientists have to place several seismometers in an area to triangulate the specific area where an earthquake will likely occur. iii. Geography Earthquakes happen almost on a daily basis in different parts of the world. Earthquakes severity depends on their magnitude. A magnitude of more than 4.5 indicates that the earthquake has the potential of causing catastrophic disaster. Europe Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) website shows that as of today there are 21 sites in the world where earthquake are likely to occur. China features prominently on the list of countries with earthquake active sites, with some of the sites having a magnitude of 6 on the Richter scale. Another location with an earthquake of more than 5 on the Richter scale is in Iceland. iv. Resources Resources have been directed to earthquake observatory centers and in technological tools to offer real time information on impending earthquakes. Japan has Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to observe seismic activities in the country, while Europe has Europe Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) to monitor same activities. In the US the United States Geological Survey institution also monitors earthquakes. v. Politics Seismic systems are used to monitor earthquakes (Johnson, 2006). In developed countries like Japan and China people are usually evacuated whenever the seismic system gives an alert of a potential earthquake occurrence. However, in the Africa continent, despite there being few incident of earthquakes, there are no monitoring institutions for earthquakes. Thus, governments have to rely on data from sites like EMSC that provide worldwide data. Seismic systems are quite expensive to maintain. Therefore, many countries choose to create one system to serve regional blocks so as to monitor seismic activity. These systems assist in saving the economies of these countries from the effects on the economic brought about by earthquakes by alerting prior to occurrence of an earthquake. vi. Disaster Preparedness It is important for the authorities to advise people to stay away from man-made structures when an earthquake is taking place. This is one way of reducing fatalities as a result of an earthquake. Identifying fault lines that can cause earthquakes and restricting development of such locations also reduces earthquake effects (Johnson, 2006). C. Hurricanes Hurricanes are yet another natural phenomenon that has the potential of destruction of coastal regions and displacement of people. Hurricanes are an occurrence that depends on environmental conditions (Saravanan, 2004). Hurricanes usually result from large amounts of evaporating water from the ocean which combine with high wind velocity and latent heat to create huge thunderstorms. i. Potential impact Hurricanes can lead to heavy rainfall which could in turn lead to flooding (Saravanan, 2004). Another effect of hurricanes is the destruction of property resulting from the high-speed winds that accompany hurricanes. Hurricanes also cause high tides in the ocean (Davis, 2008). ii. Monitoring and detection Hurricanes monitoring is done by measuring the intensity of storms. In this, meteorologists use satellite weather monitoring systems in conjunction with reconnaissance aircrafts fitted with weather monitoring instruments. Meteorologists observe moisture levels, wind and temperature of a region using the above stated tools. With the data collected, meteorologists are able to forecast the movement and intensity of a storm (Davis, 2008). iii. Geography Hurricanes usually occur near large water bodies like oceans and seas (Saravanan, 2004). The intensity of a hurricane is measured depending on the speed of the wind propelling a storm. A storm propelled by a wind at a speed of over 74 miles per hour is considered a hurricane. From 74 miles per hour wind speed, hurricanes are graded as per the increase of the speed of wind. Saunders and Lea (2014), give a forecast on two regions that are expected to have hurricanes occurrences. These are on the coast of Tokyo Japan in the North West Pacific and on the coast of Mexico in the North East Pacific (Saunders & Lea, 2014). iv. Resources Hurricanes monitoring is very resource intensive (Saunders & Lea, 2014). This is because it requires the use of reconnaissance aircraft and satellite and radar technologies. This is why less developed countries are usually unable to forecast imminent hurricanes before they happen due to financial constraints. However, hurricanes are also seasonal in some parts of the world and thus sometimes it is easily to forecast that with the change of seasons when they are likely to occur. v. Politics Satellite imaging assists governments in emergency management planning for regions where hurricanes are likely to occur. This is because satellite images display areas where the phenomenon has previously happened and the costs that were involved with historical events of the same nature. Satellite imaging also helps in monitoring of landscape change and recovery progress. vi. Disaster Preparedness The only sure way of ensuring minimal damage from a hurricane is to evacuate people living along coastlines. D. Floods Floods are a natural phenomenon that involves land surface being submerged by huge levels of water (Saravanan, 2004). Flooding can occur due to heavy rainfall in a region over a short time span and when tidal waves reach land after tsunamis. Flooding especially in coastal regions is in most cases closely related to seismic activity on oceans and seas or on hurricanes occurrences. i. Potential impact Flooding causes destruction of food and habitats hence can lead to food shortage. Flooding also contaminates drinking water. Flooding also causes water-borne diseases due to water contamination. However, floods also have a positive effect on agriculture by improving soil fertility (Saravanan, 2004). ii. Monitoring and detection Flooding is a phenomenon that is fairly predictable and controllable. This is because areas that flood in most cases are well-known. Some areas have a history of being flooded almost on an annual basis and thus mitigation strategies are easy to implement in such areas. It is only in some rare situations that places which have never flooded get flooded. iii. Geography Floods will usually occur in areas where the land is low-lying and is surrounded by elevations in more than side. Global Floods Detection System (GFDS) is a satellite system implemented to monitor flooding around the world. The regions where floods have been predicted by this system are in Africa, South America and Asia continents. Countries where there is flood monitoring in Africa include Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia (GLOBESEC, 2009). In Asia GFDS shows monitoring on Japan, India, China and Pakistan as countries that could have floods. In South America the system has been closely monitoring potential floods occurrence in Argentina, Brazil and Jamaica (GLOBESEC, 2009). However, as per the date of access of the GFDS website there was not imminent flooding expected on any of the potential flooding areas. iv. Resources Flooding is one among few natural phenomena that require more planning as compared to resources used in mitigation (Davis, 2008). Since regions that floods are usually well-known and seasons when flooding occurs are well-known it is possible to put in place measures to limit the effects of flooding. There are however scientific ways of estimating and forecasting flooding. Recurrence interval has come out as perhaps the most-accurate method to study and predict flooding. Recurrence intervals method uses statistical averages to establish the years and the months when flooding is likely to occur. v. Politics Less developed countries as well as well-developed countries have equal chances in monitoring and disaster management of floods. For less developed countries they can use manual labor to ensure that excess water does not flood their regions by building proper channels for water diversion to water bodies. For more developed countries they can use machinery for the same mitigation effort. vi. Disaster Preparedness To reduce flooding, proper channels for floods water flow should be constructed. Dams also help to reduce floods by storing excessive water (Davis, 2008). Encroachment on rivers and other water bodies is also helpful. Moving of people to higher ground can reduce casualties in times of flooding.   References Davis, L. (2008). Natural disasters (New ed.). New York: Infobase Publishing. Global Volcanism Program (2013). 10,000 years of volcanic activity at your fingertips. Retrieved from http://www.volcano.si.edu/ GLOBESEC. (2009). Global flood detection system. Retrieved from http://www.gdacs.org/flooddetection/currentfloods.aspx Johnson, J. (2006). Natural disaster and vulnerability. OECD Development Centre, 6-21. Saravanan, K. (2004). Principles of environmental science & technology. New Delhi: New Age International. Saunders, M., & Lea, A. (2014). June forecast update for Atlantic hurricane activity in 2014. Space and Climate Physics, 1-5. Read More