A look at earthquakes from the beginning of man's first writings to the present, including how scientists over history have measured, predicted and mapped earthquakes.
1,675 words (approx. 6.7 pages), 10 sources, 2001, $ 54.95
Abstract This paper analyses earthquakes from the beginning of man's first writings on the topic to today's time. The paper starts with Greek philosopher's notes on them and continues all the way to today's scientists, who have broken down earthquakes to seismic waves. The paper also discusses the history of scientists tracking ability of the earthquake, detailing the birth of the Richter scale. The paper goes into great scientific detail about how earthquakes are measured, predicted and mapped.
Abstract Much as the science has progressed, it cannot, to this day, predict earthquakes with accuracy. This ten-page paper discusses earthquakes in general, the origins of its predictions, methods of predictions and any new technologies that might be associated with them. The paper concludes by discussing the impact of earthquakes on the real estate business of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Abstract An analysis of how both minor and major faults can lead to earthquakes. The paper includes a summary of the background of the Bay Area and explains how not all the earthquakes are found in the regions where the major faults lie and notes there are also unmapped faults. The paper discusses how the area not only demonstrates historical significance with regard to earthquake activity, but it is a region of the nation that has recurring earthquakes on a daily basis, though small in scale.
From the Paper "There are seven major faults in the San Francisco Bay Area. These faults become active through the "strike slip motion" of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates ("Working"). Research contends that, Although most of the present-day seismicity in Bay Area generally follows the major faults (San Andreas, Hayward-Mission Creek, Concord-Calaveras, and Antioch faults), a significant fraction occurs in the large (8 km) right-step-over region between the Calaveras and Concord faults and along the Mt. Lewis seismic zone. In addition, numerous earthquakes locate in the regions between the major faults and seismic zones and appear to lie on either the minor faults or on unmapped faults ("Bay Area"). Although these major faults have historically played a role in the major earthquakes that have affected the San Francisco Bay Area, scientists now conclude that at any time minor faults could create..."
Abstract The paper provides a report for the people of Fairbanks Alaska regarding earthquakes. The paper looks at why Alaska has so many earthquakes and concludes that another is inevitable It also looks at options for minimizing the damage caused by earthquakes.
From the Paper "Earthquakes are usually connected with fault lines. Fault lines are areas in which tectonic plates are moving more frequently then other areas(Hobbs 272). Although techonic plates are moving everywhere they are usually not moving fast enough for anyone to realize. Earthquakes occur when techonic plates achieve a high enough velocity to cause the ground to actually shake."
Abstract This paper presents a review of historical accounts of the 1750 London earthquakes. It looks at issues that must be considered in reading the original reports of the earthquakes and the differences in interpretations in the reports.
From the Paper "Perhaps the most significant distinction that can be made between thes econdary reports of Lecky and Langford and that of Speck is that the former attribute the prediction of the third earthquake to a crazy soldier and a lunatic trooper ..."
Abstract This paper gives a detailed first person account of the earthquake in Santa Clarita, California from the eyes of a public information officer. It describes the policies such as: activating the Emergency Alert System, restoring power and more. It details the responses that were received by disaster relief personnel and how several organizations of emergency workers were able to deal with this crisis.
From the Paper "On Thursday the 15th of last month, at 7:31 a.m., an earthquake of 5.9 Moment Magnitude struck Southern California. The epicenter was near Santa Clarita, a small suburban community about twenty miles north of Los Angeles along the I-5 freeway. I am the Public Information Officer for the Emergency Response Office for the City of Santa Clarita. The following is an account of the five days following that earthquake."
Abstract This paper discusses how Alaskans are used to numerous earthquakes, but the 2002 disaster in Fairbanks' hinterland pointed to the necessity of attending to immediate human results then quickly repairing road infrastructure. The state's insurance industry works collaboratively with state emergency planning towards properties rebuilt according to regulations meant to fortify structures.
From the Paper "Earthquakes in the area of Fairbanks, Alaska represent an important case in terms of how the dangers of earthquakes are evaluated, in responses to their accompanying losses, and also the intended response to future earthquakes. For instance, the March 1964 'Great Alaska Earthquake' had a strong impact on groundwater thousands of miles distant, in more than 700 ground wells in the continental United States to show water-level changes including one of 12-feet in a well in South Dakota; a well in Australia, for that matter, fluctuated by more than 2 feet after the same disaster. "
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to identify some of the possible risks associated with the use of cellular telephones. The paper is organized into four sections: An introduction which examines the existing literature on the topic and a methodological approach for identifying the likelihood of potential dangers. The second section discusses the results of the research. The third section states the conclusions that were reached from those findings. and the fourth section lists some recommendations for future research. Also included is an appendix containing the research instruments used in this study.
From the Paper "Of the 200 survey instruments sent out to the study participants, 100 completed forms were returned for analysis. The final sample consisted of 50 oncologists and 50 neurosurgeons. All 100 respondents indicated that they were aware of the current research on the potential dangers of cellular telephone use. However, only 90% stated that felt there was enough evidence to draw any firm conclusions about those risks (88% of oncologists believed this and 92% of neurosurgeons believed this). Twenty-eight percent of the total sample indicated that they felt able to give a general assessment of cellular telephone health risks."
Tags: health, danger, technology, warning, cancer, medical, telephone, mobile
Abstract This essay is intended to persuade the reader not to use cell phones while driving. In this article the writer examines the dangers of cell phones. In particular, the writer concentrates on the use of the cell phones that apply while driving. The writer uses this paper to urge the reader not to use such cell phones while driving.
From the Paper "Curtis Sathre said it was like a bomb going off. His young son Michael, stood stunned, his ears ringing, hand gushing blood and body covered in black ash. In a split second, fragments from Michael's exploding cell phone had hit him between the eyes and lodged in the ceiling of the family's home. Michael is still alive. Imagine what would have happened if he had been driving. The purpose is to persuade ..."
Abstract "The Most Dangerous Game", published in 1924, is a tale of adventure and suspense with a theme that quickly grew into a classic storyline of books and films that followed its publication. " This paper examines the themes of evil and fear in the story.
From the Paper "The Most Dangerous Game, published in 1924, is a tale of adventure and suspense with a theme that quickly grew into a classic storyline of books and films that followed its publication (The Most Dangerous Game intro). A general analysis would explain that this classic motif is "about the hunter and the hunted" (The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell), but this exploration is too surface. Connell writes, "I think evil is a tangible thing--with wave lengths just as light and sound have." It is this tangible, let us call it "landscape," that really presents itself as the theme of the story. However, the landscape of The Most Dangerous Game is not one of evil per se but of fear. This will be explored in the following pages. "
Abstract This paper discusses the causes of volcanoes, the different types and how they contribute to acid rain. The paper emphasizes the dangers inherent in this force of nature and looks at the active volcanoes in the United States and the major disasters of the past. The paper also looks at the San Andreas Fault and how it is a likely candidate for a major earthquake in the next few decades. Also discusses are San Francisco Bay and its environs, which are likely to sustain a moderate sized earthquake, accompanied by severe damage and loss of life.
From the Paper "A volcano is a rupture in the surface of the earth which penetrates the crust and permits the escape of molten matter, rock and gases. The details of how this comes about are a quite elaborate. Such ruptures on the surface of the planet can change the face of the world over time, forming new land masses. They also pollute the air and change the climate, when active in great numbers or volume. It's believed they have brought on nuclear-winter type conditions, blotting out the sunlight. They could end civilization."
Abstract The paper provides a brief overview of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China, the 1982 New Brunswick quake and the 1906 quake of San Francisco. The paper examines the intensity of the damage and how well the situation was handled. The paper shows how imminent warning for major earthquakes is critical in saving lives, especially in densely populated regions. The paper discusses, however, that although scientists are able to predict quakes based on fault lines, they are still unable to issue short-term predictions with any certainty.
From the Paper "Earthquakes have always been feared for their catastrophic effects and strike without much of a warning. Many recent earthquakes such as the El Salvador quake and the one that happened in India in 2001, and more recently the earthquake in Indian Ocean that triggered the devastating tsunami in Asia, have all proved that major earthquakes tend to be unpredictable in spite of the advanced scientific equipments used by seismologists. Though scientists now have knowledge about seismic faults and can predict where the next earthquake could occur they do not yet possess the knowledge to predict when the next 'big one will strike" [Sandra Blakeslee]"
Abstract This paper examines the causes and predictors of earthquakes in the earth's surface. It discusses various factors and examines which of the factors act as the most reliable predictor of earthquakes. The paper then looks at how to measure earthquake strength and particularly discusses the advantages of the Richter scale and the Mercalli scale.
Table of Contents:
Earthquake Causes and Predictors
The Most Reliable Predictor of Earthquakes Measuring Earthquake Strength
From the Paper "If the concern is strictly over the amount of damage a quake can cause, and that is truly the goal of early prediction of earthquakes, then the Mercalli scale would be more effective. Unfortunately, this data is only available after the fact. A consistent Mercalli reading over time can provide a more effective means of protecting against an earthquake, or against damage to humanity. The magnitude of the quake provided by the Richter scale is more effective in building up over time recordings of the occurrence of major quakes for the sake of data and catastrophic protection."
Abstract Western British Columbia is situated near an active subduction zone. The most densely populated part, the Lower Mainland, is actually sitting on the subduction zone. This paper explains that this dynamic geological setting subjects the region to frequent seismic activity and is, in large part, responsible for a higher risk of destructive earthquakes in comparison to other parts of Canada. While the principal city of Vancouver and its surroundings have not experienced a damaging earthquake so far, large earthquakes with nearby epicenters have been strongly felt, and there is paleoseismic evidence for very large earthquakes in the late Holocene. Hazards associated with earthquakes are discussed in detail, and recommendations are given on how to minimize the impacts of a megathrust earthquake and its accompanying hazards. Paper contains 6 figures and charts.
From the Paper "Western British Columbia is situated at a dynamic geological setting which causes it to be the most seismically active in Canada and makes it one of the few sites around the world capable of producing a megaquake of a magnitude of ~9. While such a quake has not hit the region in settled time, paleoseismic evidence, oral history traditions and Japanese records date such a quake as having occurred in 1700. There is also evidence which point to these megathrust events as happening at irregular intervals which range from 200 to 800 years. Vancouver lies at the north end of a seismically active region which extends down into Washington State and has its end south of the Puget Sound. Areas directly off the coast of Vancouver Island and all along the Juan de Fuca plate and Cascadia Subduction Zone are very seismically active. The impact of an earthquake over 6 in magnitude with an epicenter near the Lower Mainland would be devastating on the region, if it occurs off the coast of Vancouver Island, even greater damages would be incurred by tsunami. While new building codes to increase safety structures are due to be released in 2005, it may be too late, as a large quake could hit the region any time, and we have no way to predict such quakes."
