Page 62 - Environment: The Science Behind the Stories

unstable portion of a Canary Island volcano that researchers
are monitoring were to one day slump into the sea.
One of the best protections against tsunamis is advance
warning. Since the 2004 tsunami, nations and international
agencies have stepped up efforts to develop systems to give
coastal residents notice of approaching tsunamis so they
can move inland or to higher ground. We can also lessen
the impacts of tsunamis when they occur if we preserve
coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs and mangrove forests
(pp. 448–450), which help protect coastlines by absorbing
wave energy.

We can worsen or mitigate the impacts
of natural hazards

Aside from geologic hazards, people face other types of natu-
ral hazards. Heavy rains can lead to flooding that ravages low-
lying areas near rivers and streams (p. 418). Coastal erosion Figure 2.24 The December 2004 tsunami completely
can eat away at beaches (p. 408). Wildfire can threaten life and destroyed Banda Aceh, at the northern tip of Sumatra in
property in fire-prone areas. Tornadoes and hurricanes (p. 474) Indonesia. This site was near the epicenter of the earthquake,
can cause extensive damage and loss of life. and the influx of water—up to 30 m (100 ft) high in places—arrived
Although we refer to such phenomena as “natural haz- within minutes.
ards,” the magnitude of their impacts upon us often depends
on choices we make. We tend to worsen the impacts of so-
called natural hazards in various ways: can help prevent mass wasting. Zoning regulations, building
codes, and insurance incentives that discourage development
• As our population grows, more people live in areas sus- in areas prone to landslides, floods, fires, and storm surges
ceptible to natural disasters. can help keep us out of harm’s way and can decrease taxpayer
• Many of us choose to live in areas that we deem attractive, expense in cleaning up after natural disasters. Finally, mitigat-
but that are also prone to hazards. For instance, coast- ing global climate change may help reduce the frequency of
lines are vulnerable to tsunamis and erosion by storms, natural hazards in many regions.
and mountainous areas are prone to volcanoes and mass
wasting. CHAPTER 2 • E ART h’s Physi CAL
• We use and engineer landscapes around us in ways that can WEIGHING THE ISSUES
increase the frequency or severity of natural hazards. Dam-
ming and diking rivers to control floods can sometimes YOUR RISk FROM NATURAL HAzARDS What types of natural
lead to catastrophic flooding (p. 419), and suppressing hazards (earthquakes? tsunamis? flooding? landslides? fires?
natural wildfire puts forests at risk of larger, truly damag- hurricanes? tornadoes?) occur in the area where you live?
ing fires (pp. 338–339). Mining practices (pp. 657–661), Name three things you personally can do to minimize your
the clearing of forests for agriculture, and clear-cutting on risk from these hazards. If a natural disaster strikes, should
slopes (p. 335) can each induce mass wasting, increase people be allowed to rebuild in the same areas if those areas
runoff, compact soil, and change drainage patterns. are prone to experience the hazard again? Discuss one
example you are familiar with from news accounts or per-
• As we change Earth’s climate by emitting greenhouse sonal experience.
gases (Chapter 18), we alter patterns of precipita-
tion, thereby increasing risks of drought, fire, flooding,
and mudslides locally and regionally. Rising sea levels s ys TE m s: mATTER , E NER gy, AN d
induced by global warming increase coastal erosion. Conclusion
Some research suggests that warming ocean temperatures
may increase the power and duration of hurricanes.
The Tohoku earthquake of 2011 demonstrated that a firm
We can often reduce or mitigate the impacts of hazards understanding of the chemical basis of matter, the nature of
through the thoughtful use of technology, engineering, and energy, and Earth’s geologic processes is needed to compre-
policy, informed by a solid understanding of geology and hend such events and their impacts in the modern world. After
ecology. Examples of this, as we’ve noted, include build- all, these physical phenomena are in some way tied to nearly
ing earthquake-resistant structures; designing early warning every significant process in environmental science. gE o L ogy
systems for earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes based on An understanding of matter is essential for all science.
analysis of previous events; and conserving reefs and shore- Knowledge of chemistry guides our predictions of how
line vegetation to protect against tsunamis and coastal erosion. radioisotopes released from the Fukushima Daiichi plant
In addition, better forestry, agriculture, and mining practices will behave in the environment, but it also provides tools for 61

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