Abstract
The writer of this paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the effects of tornadoes, one of the deadliest atmospheric conditions known to man. This paper also details the event of May 30, 1998 in which a tornado hit the small town of Spencer, North Dakota. This paper examines the differences between tornadoes, hurricanes and cyclones. Tornadoes differ from hurricanes in that they form over land, while hurricanes form over water. This paper explores how tornadoes develop as well as the atmospheric conditions that must occur to form tornadoes, including vast thermal instability, high humidity and the meeting of warm, moist air at low levels with cooler, drier air above. The writer also examines a recent trend, called storm chasing which has become a popular, recreational sport. Professional storm chasers include meteorologists and scientists who study storms to try to discover how to predict them earlier and understand just how they form.

From the Paper
"The National Weather Service (NWS) does have certain criteria that indicate certain weather patterns that spawn tornadoes. When these patterns occur, the NWS does issue "tornado watches," which can be upgraded to tornado warnings if the conditions persist or intensify. A warning tells people that a tornado may be imminent and they should take shelter immediately. Experts recommend that small, interior rooms are the best for shelter in the event of a tornado. Basements are good, but people should stay away from windows in any part of the house. Hiding under a heavy piece of furniture can also be a good idea. People are more educated about tornadoes than they were, and so they are better at protecting themselves when tornadoes strike. Many large cities have underground tornado shelters that help save many lives each year."

Tags:weather, geography, atmospheric, pressure, national, weather, service, meterology

Abstract
The paper reveals that tornadoes are one of nature's most powerful forces. The writer explores the strengths of a tornado, the type of damage it does and the steps that can be taken to warn communities of its possible arrival. The paper discusses the Doppler radar system that can detect a tornado while it is still in the sky, the tornado siren system and trained human storm chasers and spotters. The paper explains that one of the problems with tornadoes is their unpredictability, but as emergency management teams nation wide continue to improve, the public will become increasingly safer.

Outline:
Introduction
Damages
Assessment
Warning the Public
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Out of all the natural disasters that can occur, tornadoes are often considered the most damaging and the most dangerous. While earthquakes are unpredictable, they have not developed a history in the United States of frequent occurrence or many deaths. Hurricanes, with the exception of Katrina usually provide enough advanced warning that the emergency management coordinators can provide notice to evacuate. Tornadoes, however, often strike with little or no warning and they can come in "swarms" during optimum weather conditions(Gugliotta, 2003)."

Tags:storms, Doppler, radar, siren, lightening, warnings

Abstract
This paper describes the causes and mechanisms of tornadoes in general, with a focus on the 1925 Tri-State Tornado, and briefly touches on media coverage of the tornado. The paper looks at how the Great Tri-State Tornado, an F5 that devastated eastern Missouri, Southern Illinois and Southwestern Indiana on March 18, 1925, stands out as a distinct statistical rarity and how it has remained the single deadliest tornado in history, even after decades of record keeping. The paper also touches on media coverage of the tornado at the time.

From the Paper
"The week prior to the tragic date of March 18 was unusually warm across the Midwest. A cold front was expected to bring showers and thunderstorms and cooler temperatures from Canada. On the 18th, temperatures rose into the 70s, about 10 degrees warmer than normal for that time of year (NOAA News). Severe thunderstorms formed just behind the approaching cold front over southeast Missouri in the early afternoon. This cold-front helped create the tornado's parent thunderstorm that was centered over northwestern Arkansas, as shown in the Weather Bureau's daily weather map issued that morning. The same parent thunderstorm originally developed within a low pressure area that was centered over western Montana two days before the tornado hit (Potter)."

Tags:Storms, Catastophes, weather, damage

Abstract
This paper explains that tornado observation and study date back more than three centuries. The author points out that the mechanism of a tornado is relatively simple when compared to the damage it does; a thunderstorm that has air pushed up into its storm over and over again provides the stage for tornado formation. The paper relates that, with storm chasers on the ground, airplanes in the sky, and current technology, the world knows more than ever before about the scariest natural disaster on earth.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Background
Mechanism
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Tornadoes form during the updraft stage of a thunderstorm. The updraft air begins to rotate and when this rotation occurs it forms something called a vortex. Wind shear is when the wind speed changes and the direction and height change. Wind shear is what maintains the vortex formation. While this occurs the rising air and up currents that are inside the cloud flow move in direction of the wind. This can all happen many miles above the earth while those below are innocent to its formation."

Tags:vortex, thunderstorm, scariest, shear, plane

Abstract
This paper describes a tornado that ripped through Gallatin, Tennessee. The paper portrays how the tornado ripped through Gallatin and made national news for its damage and devastation, including the deaths of 12 residents. The paper is written as if the author of this paper witnessed the event first hand.

From the Paper
"The morning had called for storms. Residents in Middle Tennessee were used to storms, in fact some joked that the Tornado Alley had recently moved to include that region. For several years there had been storms in which Doppler Radar had detected tornadoes in the sky and issued alerts for the area, however, they rarely if ever touched down. Perhaps the worst that happened was a tail whipped out of the sky and damaged a few roofs before retreating back into the clouds. On April 7, 2006 however, the world of those who lived in Gallatin was forever changed, when a tornado not only touched down, but waltzed across the city as if competing in a final dance competition. When it was finally over, people were dead, businesses were destroyed, a college was leveled and homes were completely demolished."

Tags:storm, destruction, newspaper, article

Abstract
This paper examines and analyzes the process of predicting tornadoes. The use of technologies such as Doppler radar and Optical Transient Detectors is discussed, as are meteorological indicators of tornado formation in supercell storms.

Abstract
This paper discusses the effectiveness of tort law in providing compensation for environmental damage. It also looks at the ability of tort law to prevent environmental damage from occurring. The paper describes some of the obstacles suffered by tort law in fulfilling a central role in environmental protection, such as cost, evidence and standing and then looks at the limits to the limitations that exist in terms of tort law and environmental damage.

Table of Contents:
Developing, and Restricting an 'Environmental Tort': Issues of Locality and Use
Establishing the Causative Link and Proving Foreseeability
Further Obstacles: Evidence, Cost and Standing
Limiting the Limitations
The European Influence - Lowering the Hurdles?
Assessing the Use of Common Law Actions in Tort

From the Paper
"Today there is a propensity to think of environmental protection as attained by the volume of specific legislation, but this does not mean that the role of the common law in environmental protection has become obsolete. Although perhaps a somewhat tenuous link, it has been argued that actions in tort are able to prevent environmental harm by deterring others from engaging in the same behaviour due to a fear of having to pay damages. However, Barbara Young, the chief executive of the Environment Agency, challenges such a rationalisation, arguing "the scale of penalties levied by the courts makes pollution and prosecution an acceptable risk and an acceptable business expense" . Naturally, the extent to which the extent to this will vary according to the polluting offender involved, however it would seem unlikely that the prospect of paying damages would have the same influence as the fear of facing an environmental regulator is set standards are breached."

Tags:legislation, pollution, causality

Abstract
The paper contends that advances in imaging technology, made over the past five decades, have enabled the recognition of many of the cognitive and behavioural correlates of organic brain impairments. As a result, a new range of psychological tools has been developed that have proven effective as diagnostic indicators of lesions or other malfunctions. The paper concentrates on the frontal lobe regions. It reviews the types of damage that occur and the behavioural patterns and problems associated with them. The paper then examines and reviews measures that have been formulated to assess the nature and extent of that frontal lobe damage.

From the Paper
"The idea of cerebral localisation of psychological functions has existed in various forms since Gall (1935), but only recently have researchers been able to locate specific psychological processes to particular brain structures with any confidence; and studies of malfunction have been found to hold critical value here in identifying normal functioning. Kolb and Whishaw (2003) offer five discrete categories of psychological abnormality associated with frontal lobe lesions: (1) disturbances of motor functions; (2) loss of divergent thinking; (3) impaired response inhibition and inflexible behaviour; (4) poor temporal memory, and (5) impaired social and sexual behaviour imaging. Evidence, however, suggests a degree of overlap and interaction between categories. For the present analysis, the 'cognitive' categories, (2) and (4), will be discussed together, as will the categories relating to social behaviour and inhibition: (3) and (5)."

Tags:brain, psychological, abnormality, cognitive, cortex, dysfunctional

Abstract
This paper discusses the links between poverty and environmental damage in the developing countries and their implication for sustainable development. Two developing countries are used as case studies

Tags:ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND ECOLOGY / POLLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, links poverty environment

Abstract
The paper discusses the options that are available to companies to manage and prevent disasters whenever possible. The paper explains that developing advance-warning systems can prevent extensive loss to life and in some cases, precautionary measures can be undertaken to prevent damages to property. The paper also shows how the best defense humans have against natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes and storm is public awareness and offering the public sufficient time for evacuation. Some aerial photos are included with the paper.

Outline:
Introduction
Tornado Trend Analysis
Confirmation of Fatalities and Injuries
Estimation of Damage to Homes, Business & Infrastructure
Debris Removal for the Purpose of Regaining
Taking Care of the People Impacted by the Tornado
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) makes provisions for federal funds to be provided on a high priority basis to help mitigate hazards at local levels. In addition, the act also calls for identification and assessment of natural disasters that can disrupt the normal functioning of governments and communities, and adversely affect individuals and families with great severity. The act defines an "Emergency" as any occasion or instant for which, in the determination of the President, federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States. (FEMA.gov, 2003)"

Tags:tornadoes, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, storm, earthquake