Earthquake Faults in Western United States

October 1st, 2013





This is a map of earthquake faults in the western United States. Earthquake faults are clearly related to the engineering paradigm of environmental hazards. Homes and other structures built on or near earthquake fault lines need to be constructed in a way that is resistant to the potential hazards that it causes. Buildings in the area seen on the map need to have foundations that can resist sideways loads that can be present during an earthquake's series of shockwaves. This can be aided by having lighter roofs and walls and constructing the walls in a way so they can move equally in different directions. The measures are taken because of the engineering paradigm. Earthquakes in these areas occur frequently so the sites have been given added protection against them.

This is not always the case in other areas of the world, such as LDCs, where the government regulations are not as stringent. More government regulations in this area would benefit many people in the world who are extremely vulnerable to potential earthquakes. This data shows the exact location of the fault lines and even shows how old they are believed to be. This helps deal with the complexity paradigm for environmental hazards by showing locations for potential earthquakes. If it is known where a potential earthquakes epicenter could be, there is potential for that disaster to be reduced.

For further information on earthquake hazards visit the U.S. Geological Survey website (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/) which has up to minute tracking of earthquakes around the globe and extremely detailed maps that can help you learn about earthquakes and the steps taken to prepare for them by monitoring fault lines and seismic activity and the research that goes into the preparation process.

Sources:

http://www.reidsteel.com/information/earthquake_resistant_building.htm

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

Kilauea Volcano The Next To Go?

Tuesday, September 17th, 2013

The current volcano alert level for the Hawaiian volcano Kilauea has been updated to WATCH. Formed at the southern coast of Hawaii's big island, Kilauea is the most active of the island's volcanoes. Somewhat recently, Kilauea has formed a caldera at the summit of the volcano. It seems to not be a matter of if but when Kilauea will erupt.

Photo taken from from a previous Kilauea eruption in 2010 that sent a lava flow into Kalapana.

As early as last Sunday, warnings have been issued on the USGS website for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. This makes the Kilauea volcano one of the most active volcanoes in North America. This could create hazards for the people and infrastructure surrounding the area. Vent areas on the volcano could erupt or collapse without warning. Gas plumes could be sent into the air that carry potentially-deadly amounts of sulfur dioxide gas at least 1 kilometer downwind.

Fortunately for the citizens of Hawaii, many precautionary measures have taken place to warn individuals of the dangers of volcanoes in the area. On top of that, the Kilauea volcano has had a long active history so an eruption that is not of any considerable size should not be problematic for that people or buildings in the area. Volcanoes still need to be taken seriously however. There are around 500 active volcanoes in the world today and around 50 erupt each year according to Environmental Hazards expert Keith Smith. Smith continues to say that although few deaths occur directly from volcanoes in the modern world, the hazards that they create such as famine from crop failure.

Hawaii may be prepared for Kilauea, but it is important to understand that these hazards can, although not very often, dangerous and it is important to not overlook the environmental impacts that they have on the world around them.

Sources:
http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2010/7/21/Kilauea_Volcano_sends_lava_flow_into_Kalapana_again
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php
Smith, Keith. Environmental Hazards: Assessing Risk and Reducing Disaster. Sixth Edition. (New York: Taylor and Francis Group, 2013). 176-177.

Rain Continues Falling On Northern Colorado

Monday, September 16th, 2013

Rains continued through the day on Sunday as communities that have been devastated by flash floods in northern Colorado have been wondering when they will see any relief. Water levels were still rising in some areas of Boulder County. The water is responsible for as many as six deaths and hundreds still unaccounted for.



The economic losses have been nearly as significant. Thousands of homes have been completely destroyed, transportation systems such as roads and bridges will need to be re-built. Officials are still assessing  the damages but estimations are in the hundreds of millions of dollars and that amount is rising. As the National Guard and other disaster relief groups attempt to ensure the safety of the people and buildings affected by this disaster, the rain continues to fall. This makes it much more difficult for people and emergency vehicles to help the people that need it the most. These people need federal assistance and I think they deserve a sunny day.

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/15/us/colorado-flooding/index.html?hpt=us_c1

The Fuhe River Is The Most Recent Victim Of Environmental Injustices In China

Monday, September 9, 2013

Local residents of Wuhan, an area along the Fuhe river in China's Hubei province have been working tirelessly to remove massive amounts of dead fish that have blanketed the river and its shoreline. The exact mount of dead fish is unknown at this time but at least 110 tons of the fish were removed from the river by Wednesday, September 5th. The fish deaths are thought to be caused by high levels of ammonia that occupies the river. The official Wuhan municipal government's emergency office has stated that culprit for the high levels of ammonia in the water is a chemical plant in the city of Yingcheng. The plant, Hubei Shuanghuan Science and Technology Stock Co., has been subsequently suspended by the Hubei environmental authorities.  

CNN has reported that the Ministry of Environmental Protection admitted that roughly 30% of the rivers it monitors are polluted. The Chinese track record for environmental protection is simply becoming embarrassing. It is widely known that air pollution in some Chinese cities is at an all-time high. How long will these issues affect other countries because of these poor conservation choices? The answer is it already has. The Atlantic Wire reported that research conducted by the National Institute for Environmental Studies concluded that in 2007 and 2008, 29% of particulate pollution found in California had originated in Asia. How long will it be before smog covers cities that would otherwise be considered Eco-friendly? The international community needs to step up and challenge countries such as China in regards to their poor environmental practices. 

Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/05/world/asia/china-river-dead-fish/index.html?iref=allsearch
http://photos.denverpost.com/2013/09/03/photos-over-66000-pounds-of-dead-fish-block-the-fuhe-river-in-china/
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2013/04/china-air-pollution-2013/63836/