Abstract This paper takes a look at the topic of global warming. It explains the frightening process which is occurring to Earth and gives examples of government bodies which have been set up to deal with this problem. It also discusses the effects on the environment - plants and animals alike and finally how this could ultimately end up in mass destruction.
From the Paper "The prospect of "Global Warming," a state of planetary change wherein the average ground temperatures of the entire earth are elevated to unnaturally high levels, has been around for a number of years. However, during most of the last two decades, the truths about global warming were frequently questioned and debated. It was decried by conservatives, big business, and even many well-intentioned and intelligent scientists. Global warming theory was called an error in computation, at best, or at worst it was an outright deception foisted on the public by radical anti-technology, anti-human environmentalist-wackos. However, it is now an established fact that the Earth's surface is growing warmer. Unless steps are taken to stop this progression of events, and even in spite of such steps, the vast majority of the evidence shows that the Earth will continue to grow warmer, with widespread and even catastrophic results."
Abstract This paper is introduces and discusses features of the Martian terrain suggesting that water, and possibly life, may have been present in the distant past or that water exists today under the planet's surface. Conclusions about this suggestion are made at the end of the paper.
From the Paper "The public's fascination and with the red planet originated with Percival Lowell's book, ?Mars,? published in 1895. Although Schiaparelli and others had discussed the possibility of Canals on Mars, Lowell's drawings and his suggestion of intelligent life on Mars thrilled the public."
Abstract The paper describes the different weather patterns focusing on storms. The paper deals with small-scale weather patterns, the causes of storms and the nine different types of storms. The paper concludes with a discussion on predicting storms.
From the Paper "The primary weather producers in the middle latitudes are large centers of low pressure that generally move from west to east, called middle-latitude cyclones. Middle-latitude cyclones begin along a front where air masses are moving in opposite directions. The frontal surface usually takes on a wave shape, which becomes more defined as the cyclone matures, and a cold and a warm front evolve."
Abstract This paper examines the causes of eruptions and the difference between explosive and non-explosive eruptions. It also studies the effects of volcanic eruptions on people and the environment. It concludes with a discussion on recent eruptions in Hawaii and on the island of Montserrat.
From the Paper "Volcanoes are mountains that are created by an accumulation of materials that erupt through vents. Most volcanoes are beneath the sea but the volcanoes that most people are aware of are above sea level. The Smithsonian Institution reports that there are 1511 active above-sea volcanoes during the past 10,000 years. Five hundred and thirty-nine of these have erupted at least once during recorded history. An average fifty-five above-sea volcanoes worldwide are active in any given year; about half of these are continuations of eruptions from previous years, and the rest are new.("Volcano") The purpose of this discussion is to examine why eruptions occur and the difference between explosive and non-explosive eruptions. We will also explore the effects of volcanic eruptions on people and the environment. Finally we will discuss recent eruptions in Hawaii and on the island of Montserrat."
Abstract This paper provides a comprehensive description of the cause and effect of the tsunami that hit Papua. New Guinea in 1998. The paper outlines and explains the issues involved in platetectonics and the physicality of tsunamis. Pictures are brought to illustrate the different aspects of the geography of the area and the geological occurances before, during and after the tsunami.
From the Paper "An earthquake with a magnitude of approximately 7.1 on the Richter scale occurred at 8:49 UTC, (Coordinated Universal Time) in the Bismarck Sea, on July 17th 1998 in the South Pacific Region, off the Northern coast of New Guinea, causing a geological phenomenon known as a tsunami. The earthquake was followed by a series of three waves affecting a 40-km length of coastline from the mouth of the Bliri River east of the Sierra Villages, to the town of Aitape; a tsunami wave of catastrophic proportions hit the shores of Papua New Guinea causing massive loss of life and millions of dollars of damage. The South Pacific is indigenous to tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions within the Pacific plate and the Australian plate. 2182 people died as a result of the Tsunami and the run up of water that was associated with the tsunami. (ITST 1998)"
Abstract Lightning is a natural phenomenon that is dramatic, often beautiful, and yet deadly and dangerous at the same time. A bolt of lightning involves the rapid discharge of a massive amount of electrical energy producing both the bright flash of light and the sound of thunder
From the Paper "Lightning is a natural phenomenon that is dramatic, often beautiful, and yet deadly and dangerous at the same time. A bolt of lightning involves the rapid discharge of a massive amount of electrical energy producing both the bright flash of light and the sound of thunder. There are a number of different kinds of lightning produced by different conditions, and new information on lightning is discovered all the time. By its nature, lightning is an ephemeral phenomenon, making it difficult to study under all conditions and explaining why new types of lightning have been found as man makes his way higher and more often into different regions of the upper atmosphere. Lightning is an extremely common natural phenomenon. Since Benjamin Franklin demonstrated the electrical nature of the lightning bolt, lightning has been subjected to many scientific studies."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the problem of ocean pollution, and how it is affecting marine life. It also looks at what is being done to control pollution in the United States and around the world. The paper shows that, as the world become more industrialized, the pollution in the ocean is becoming more of a problem.
From the Paper "There are numerous pollutants contaminating the world's oceans ? they have been building up for hundreds of years, and they are both man-made and natural, although man-made pollutants are much more common than natural pollutants. Over 900,000 gallons of oil spills into the oceans every year, either from leaking tankers, oil spills, or leaks from oil dredging machinery. "In 1997, the 22 oil spills reported worldwide involved a total of 15 million gallons (57 million liters) of oil" ("Water Pollution")."
Discusses these in general and gives examples (the 1993 Midwest floods and the 1994 Southern California earthquake). Examines the impact on community infrastructure, basic services and insurance companies.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 9 sources, 1995, $ 71.95
From the Paper "Introduction
Natural disasters come in many forms: floods, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions and landslides are but a few of the calamities that people endure. It is when nature comes into conflict with humans that catastrophe results. The response to these natural disasters has been to invest in early warning systems in order to protect lives and property, and to offer residents and businessmen advice on how best to survive the types of disasters that any one area is prone to. Fortunately, not all parts of the world are subject to every type of disaster, which means that people in any one area have to prepare only for those disasters which are likely to occur in their area. Such preparation can take the form of developing evacuation programs and finding ways to minimize damage both to people, livestock and ..."
Abstract This paper introduces and discusses the effect on business of El Ni"o, the name Peruvian fishermen gave the warm currents that would show up every few years just before Christmas. It shows how each occurance of the phenomena causes enormous damage in personal and business loss and causes flooding, property damage, crop damage and warming in some areas of the country.
Outline
Introduction
Thesis statement and definition of El Ni"o
Positive affects of El Ni"o
Agriculture
Decreased energy costs
Less snow removal, more jobs
Not as bad as previous El Ni"o
Negative affects of El Ni?o
NOAA results
Less heating costs in Northeast
Damage to crops
Higher prices
Affects to construction
Drought in Hawaii
Ski resorts lose income
Conclusion
From the Paper "The weather phenomenon known as El Niסo can both adversely and positively affect the business of a particular area. "In the 1982-83 El Niסo, floods did $1.2 billion worth of damage, and the following year's drought cost farmers $10 billion, but consumers in the Northeast saved a tidy $2.5 billion on heating bills" (Armstrong and Veomett 33). Since this is a reoccurring activity, business people should learn from prior events, and protect themselves from damage, destruction, and lost income as best they can. There are insurance policies available for some businesses, and they may be worth the cost in the worst-case scenario."
Abstract This paper discusses Red Tide - the common name for the blooming of certain species of dinoflagellata that have a reddish pigment causing the water to appear to be red when the massive numbers of dinoflagellates accumulate. The paper examines the dangers of Red Tide to human beings in the form of nausea, skin irritation and weakened immune systems. It also shows that Red Tide can be fatal to marine life, especially marine mammals. Finally, the paper discusses the effects of Red Tide on the fishing industry and the various things which are being done to try and control it.
From the Paper "Red tides have been completely unaffected by pollution, and finding a way to contain outbreaks has been a daunting task for scientists. Most recently, a Woods Hole scientist has been experimenting with using clay to smother the algae (Fairfield). This new method has helped protect the billion-dollar fishing industries in Japan and South Korea, and scientists are hoping it can protect the waters in the United States as well (Fairfield).
Until recently, the research has focused mainly on the toxins emitted, and the chemistry of the harmful blooms ? not on finding ways to control the blooms (Fairfield). While the United States isn?t a fishing economy per se, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimate that the U.S. will lose more that $1 billion over the next ten years because of the toxic algae (Fairfield)."
Abstract This paper begins by providing a brief geological history of the mountain, seperating it into nine different periods. It then examines various lava types found in the area. The paper moves to modern day when the first actual threat was realized for eruption. It discusses the process of eruption and the different types of blast - lateral blast (direct blast zone, channelized blast zone, seared zone); vertical blast and pyroclastic flows. It concludes with an analysis of the aftermath and its effect on wildlife in the area.
From the Paper "On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helen's in southwestern Washington erupted with a massive explosion. Leading up to this day was increasingly intense earthquake activity. There were also lots of relatively weak eruptions and many locations of minuet gas discharge. The devastating impact of the suddenly unleashed volcanic energy caused the worst volcanic and geological disaster in the recorded history of the United States."
Abstract There are approximately 500 active volcanoes world wide and a couple dozen of those erupt every year. Humans have learned to live around volcanoes, for the most part. They have been avoided, feared and even worshipped for millennia. However, that by no means guarantees that humans and the environments that humans depend on, will not come into harm's way. The paper shows that as the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 proves, even with advanced warning and strict security measures, nature can take its toll. The paper describes the aftermath of the explosion, where about 60 people and countless plants and animals died and it would be almost two decades before the surrounding area returned to a stable and comparative ecosystem. The paper shows that if two decades sounds like a long time, one need only keep in mind that scientists were actually pleasantly surprised with the rate of recovery.
From the Paper "It would be a while before the people could breathe freely after this natural disaster. It would be even longer before the world healed itself. Contrary to what one might expect, conservation efforts to help nature along were often doomed to failure. No duplicated ecosystem could replace a lost one. However, scientists eventually learned that the ecosystem was self-correcting. Some things had survived the lava, like small fungi too small to be thoroughly trapped and destroyed. Small animals often survived as well. Over time, when left to its own devices, it seemed that nature worked to preserve itself intact. For example, insects that conservations might think would be harmful killed many surviving trees, but the fallen trees provided prime shelter and a budding environment for other survivors."
Abstract This paper examines the power of volcanoes, specifically Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. The damages caused are outlined, as well as the environmental consequences of the eruption in 1991. The after effects from the chemicals unleashed in the eruption are documented and have affected the area almost a decade after the eruption.
Abstract Certain theories commonly attribute the formation of the Grand Canyon to the process of erosion by the Colorado River, but disagree with regard to the period and the actual process. Geologists continue to debate on it, but continuous changes around the Grand Canyon pose problems for them to reach a consensus.
Abstract This study provides a geographical description of the Tungurahua Volcano of Ecuador and describes the nature of its volcanic activity. The paper also explores the risks to inhabitants living in close proximity to the volcano and some of the measures taken to protect them. The paper concludes by examining what is being done to assist those affected by the volcano and probable solutions to the threat it poses.
From the Paper "The Tungurahua volcano is categorized as a strato-volcano reaching a height of 5016 meters. With a nickname of "The Black Giant", the mountain has a 600 feet wide crater, with most of the mountain covered in snow. Its geographical status shows that it lies some 25 kilometers east of Ambato, Ecuador's 4th largest city. The slopes of the Tungurahua volcano are primarily used for the local agriculture sector and a number of small villages including a town called Banos which cradles the mountain from both the western and northern sides."
Tags: eruptions, explosions, lava, flows, hazard, ashes, rock, strombolian, magma
