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my Notes
Short Who Studies

Read Natural Disasters?

October 23, 2018

Dear Professor Melendez,
I’m writing to ask your advice about careers that involve studying natural
disasters. My earth science (my favorite subject!) teacher told me you teach
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college classes on natural disasters and suggested I send you a letter.
Last year, my family explored Kilauea, a volcano in Hawaii. As part of the tour, we
saw firsthand how a breathtaking natural occurrence can also lead to disaster.
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Our guide explained that a notable eruption in 2014 almost destroyed the

nearby town of Pahoa.
The tour made me really interested in volcanoes. What processes inside the
earth cause them? Why do they erupt? Most importantly, how can science and
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knowledge be used to keep people safe from them?
We experience earthquake tremors in California sometimes and have to practice
safety drills for them. The spontaneous shaking of the earth has always left me
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feeling both fascinated and scared! I’ve been reading about other natural
disasters, too. I think the swirling winds and drenching rains of hurricanes are as
thrilling as earthquakes. They can also be just as dangerous, right?

I want to understand these kinds of events and maybe help other people
understand them better someday, too. What careers would let me apply
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knowledge of natural disasters to help people?
I’d very much appreciate your advice on jobs I might consider.
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Thank you for your time and advice!

Sincerely,

Robin Thiersson

Robin Thiersson
267 Seismo Street
Tectonic, California 00000

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