Hurricane Sandy

Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy’s path from Monday Oct. 22 to Wednesday Oct 24, 2012

Hurricane Sandy developed on Oct 22, 2012 in the Atlantic Ocean. Sandy started off as a tropical storm and formed in to a category 1 hurricane. Sandy, who was about to make landfall along Jamaica’s southeast coastline on Oct 24, has been predicted by forecasters to eventually hug the East Coast and possible even make landfall in the Northeast. That scenario is likely to play out if the jet stream curves back and allows for it to happen. If that happens the Northeast would likely see 10-12 inches of rainfall along the Eastern Seaboard. While Sandy was located 30 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, it was moving north at 14 mph and winds as fast as 80 mph. Jamaican schools were closed and shelters were opened to residents of flood-prone areas ahead of the potential landfall. Satellite radar showed that Sandy was on a projected path to cut through the middle of Jamaica, near Kingston, then the north coast of Ocho Rios and finally passing over eastern Cuba before losing strength as it reaches the Bahamas. If that happens Sandy could dump 6-12 inches of rain on these areas, and some up to 20. These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas of mountainous terrain.

 

 

This is an image of waves crashing into Kingston, Jamaica from Hurricane Sandy on Wednesday Oct. 24, 2012.

Sandy is considered a small hurricane but the geography, location, and population density of these places make them vulnerable. Adaptation such as weather forecasting and early warnings, along with protection measures such as flood management and shelter areas will help prevent this natural hazard from becoming a disaster.

Article and Image Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/49533577/ns/weather/

Lorca Earthquake

Scientists have been studying the cause of an earthquake that took place in the Spanish city of Lorca in 2011. This particular earthquake wasn’t very large, only a 5.1 magnitude quake. It took place at a depth of only 3 km which in turn caused a lot of damage and killed nine people. What scientists found after examining satellite radar data was that the slippage of the fault took place at a location where the water table, which is located next to a large water basin,  had been dropped over 250m over the last 50 years due to drilling and irrigation.  Scientists said that this is a seismically active region and earthquakes are bound to happen regardless, however the draining of the water sped up the process, created stresses on the fault and initially triggered the earthquake and defined its magnitude.  

Scientists say that seismic activity that has been triggered by human activity that are located near faults have been documented over the years. Other forms of activities that take place to trigger earthquakes include the impoundment of reservoir lakes, hydrocarbon extraction, quarrying and deep well injections. Scientist hope to be able to tame natural faults through geoengineering if they are able to understand how stresses from human activity contribute to seismic events. 

This image shows damage that took place from the 5.1 magnitude earthquake in Lorca on May 12, 2011

Article Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20025807
Image Source: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52671000/jpg/_52671579_jex_1043138_de27-1.jpg

 

Oklahoma Dust Storm

This is an image which shows the dust storm was so dense that it was able to be identified from a high resolution satellite

 

 This image shows visibility range though the dust clouds

 

On Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 a dust storm in Northern Oklahoma caused a multi-car accident and an 8 mile stretch of interstate 35 to be shut down. Visibility ranged less than 10 feet which lead to an accident involving nearly 3 dozen cars and tractor-trailers. Nine people were injured in the accident but no fatal injuries were sustained. This dust storm was caused by a mixture of several events, the main one being the drought our country has been experiencing this year, along with loose soils and high winds. Farmers are preparing for their winter harvest of wheat which involves loosening the top soil of their fields. With the drought the soils are so dry and with the top solid being loose it’s almost like a powder consistency. Combine these two elements with high wind speeds, like the ones experienced in Okalahoma and you have the perfect mixture for a dust storm.

This is an image of an accident that was caused by the low visibility from the dust

 

Article Source:

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2012/oct/19/dust-storm-shuts-down-interstate-northern-okla/

Image Sources:

http://localtvkfor.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/dust-storm-kay-county-wind-marley-miller.jpg?w=579

http://i.imwx.com/common/articles/images/dust-storm-thur_650x366.jpg

http://cdn.washingtonexaminer.biz/cache/r620-24c52da7d04557ff5fa30739875a3bf8.jpg

 

Endangered Primate Species

Currently 25 species of monkeys, langurs, lemurs and gorillas are a severely threatened and are in danger of extinction. The cause is from an increasing amount of human activity related to deforestation and illegal trafficking and hunting. Of the 25 species of primates that are severely threatened 6 of the species are from the island of Madagascar, 5 from the mainland of Africa, 5 from South America, and 9 are in Asia. Lemurs are the most severely threatened with only 19 known individuals left in Madagascar. This is due to a dramatic change of power in the country since 2009 that has had a lack of enforcement. In all there are a total of 633 types of primates in danger of becoming extinct with the ones listed above being the most threatened. However, with the help of conservation efforts several species of primates are no longer listed as endangered. With that, conservation efforts have prevented a single primate species extinction in the 20^th century or so far this century. Primates, who are mankind’s closest living relatives, are important because they contribute to the ecosystem by dispersing seeds and maintaining forest diversity. Primates have also become a popular ecotourism attraction and primate-watching is becoming a growing interest.

 

This is an image of a Madagascar lemur who is one the most threatened species at this time

Article Source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/10/15/25-primate-species-in-africa-asia-reported-on-brink-extinction-from/
Image Source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/10/15/25-primate-species-in-africa-asia-reported-on-brink-extinction-from/

Mount Lokon Eruption in Indonesia

On Sunday October 7, 2012 Mount Lokon erupted in Jakarata, which is located in northern Indonesia. The eruption caused smoke and ash to discharge in the air leaving the cater with a cloudy cover. Heavy rainfall fell causing thick, heavy rain and mud in 6 nearby villages. Masks were provided to villagers by soldiers after the incident.  Nobody was injured or evacuated for the event because the nearest villages were beyond the area of danger. The 5,741 foot mountain inhibits more than 33,000 people living along its slopes. Mount Lokon is part of the archipelago of Indonesia that is prone to earthquakes and volcanoes because it sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a horseshoe-shaped series of fault lines. It is part of about 129 active volcanoes there. Mount Lokon’s last major eruption took place in 1991 killing a Swiss hiker and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.

The eruption of Mount Lokon

 

Article Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/07/mount-lokon-eruption-indonesia_n_1946219.html?utm_hp_ref=world

Image Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhAwe3QQpTyhRygGDUJEkbYKjOSb3vHczytdT74iCb9AxGz7fB4xjK73yxjaZYekl4kcsJrtn4VK2l-7phGez_fT7XEaLSSgzk69ulFXNKeUSRKvT_z_M5bG5KJPQXuNGk60wU-Ac0y4/s1600/Indonesia's+Mount+Lokon+Volcano+Erupts+february+2012.jpg

Landslide in China

Bodies of the 18 school children are searched for after the landslide

On Thursday October 4, 2012 a landslide hit Zhenhe, a village in Yunnan province in southwestern China leaving a total of 19 people dead. Eighteen of them were elementary school children who were attending class at the Tiantou Elementary School. The landslide dammed a river and caused a pool of water that was 45 feet across and 21 feet deep. This pool made rescue difficult and caused 800 people to evacuate. As of now the cause of the landslide is undetermined. This part of the Yunnan province has been hit with heavy rains is prone to earthquakes. Last month earthquakes left 81 people dead and devastated parts of the village. In China, Thursday was a National Holiday but children were attending classes to make up for days that were missed due to these earthquakes.

This area of China is prone to landslides due to the mountainous terrain, heavy rains, and earthquakes. Its dense population and low income make it vulnerable to disasters. If the country was able to provide proper mitigation strategies, such early weather forecasting, alerts before a natural hazard was to take place, better building structures, and so forth it, it would help reduce the impact these hazards have on the communities.

This picture shows rescuers searching for victims after the landslide

Article Source: 

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/landslide-hits-chinese-school-killing-19-students-17402495

Image Source:

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-121004-chinaLandslide-03.jpg  
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-121004-chinaLandslide-02.photoblog900.jpg

 

Pakistan Flooding

Victims of the flood

 

 

Within the last two weeks monsoon rains and flooding have caused more than 400 deaths, left nearly 3,000 people injured, and have affected more than 5 million people in Pakistan. Monsoon rains and flooding happen seasonally during the summer in this part of the country, but that last 3 years have been devastating. The worst flooding happened in 2010 where almost 1,800 people were killed and 20 million were affected.  Having been hit consecutively for the last 3 has made recovery difficult. Many are homeless and are limited on food, water, and shelter. The country and authorities have relied on international help to provide for those who have been affected by the floods.

These disasters are an example of how less developed countries are vulnerable to natural hazards and how they become disasters. Monsoon season is an annual occurrence and with proper mitigation strategies such disasters should be preventable, or at least limited. The high population densities and low monetary are two important factors in why this disaster continues to affect this country.

 

This image shows soldiers rescuing flood victims

Article Sources:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistani-police-officer-dies-while-defusing-bomb-in-northwest/2012/09/28/4e78a124-093b-11e2-9eea-333857f6a7bd_story.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19763569

Image Sources:

http://cdn.muslimhands.org.uk/cdn/feature-images/470,353/media/17358167/01.jpg
http://www.globalpost.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/gp3_small_article/pakistan_monsoon_flood_09_29_2012.jpeg