Egypt experiences several severe weather hazards including Earthquakes, droughts, fires, and flooding.
For more information click here.
Friday, October 28, 2016
Egypt
This week we are talking about something a little different.... Extreme Weather in Egypt.
Egypt experiences several severe weather hazards including Earthquakes, droughts, fires, and flooding.
For more information click here.
Egypt experiences several severe weather hazards including Earthquakes, droughts, fires, and flooding.
For more information click here.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Mass Wasting... A slippery slope
Italy has played host to many Mass Wasting Hazards over the years. These devastating events have often left the region in a state emergency with thousands of homes damaged and even worse causing human loss.
In 1998, The Italian government declared a state emergency when large landslides struck the Campania Region killing 87 people and damaging roughly 2,000 homes. To read the rest of the article on this devastating event click here.
According to http://landslides.usgs.gov/ Areas that are generally prone to landslide hazards:
One Italy's biggest landslides killed nearly 2,000 people. "On October 9, 1963, at 10:39pm 260 million cubic metres of rock broke off from the top of Monte Toc, on the border between Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. It fell into the reservoir of the Vajont Dam, producing an enormous wave of at least 50 million cubic metres of water. The dam, completed in 1959 and one of the biggest in the world at the time, did not suffer any serious damage. However, flooding destroyed several villages in the valley and killed almost 2,000 people." To read more from this article and about this devastating event in Italian history click here.
Italy has also played host to several major avalanches;
In 1916 Troops fighting in the Italian Campaign between Italy and Austrio-Hungary were caught in what became known as White Friday when more than 500 men were buried alive. Both sides of the war had been intentionally causing avalanches to kill enemy forces downhill from them.
Most Recently 6 Skiers were killed in an Avalanche in March of 2016 and several other people reported missing.
In 2009 Italy asked a national research institute to develop a prototype for an early warning system. To read the full briefing click here.
Euronews. "'Six Dead' in Avalanche in Italian Alps, Others Missing."Euronews. N.p., 13 Mar. 2016. Web. 14 Oct. 2016
"Expecting Disaster: The 1963 Landslide of the Vajont Dam | Environment & Society Portal." Expecting Disaster: The 1963 Landslide of the Vajont Dam | Environment & Society Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
Hanley, Anne. "Italy Declares Emergency in Landslide Region." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 08 May 1998. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
"Landslide Preparedness." Landslide Preparedness. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
In 1998, The Italian government declared a state emergency when large landslides struck the Campania Region killing 87 people and damaging roughly 2,000 homes. To read the rest of the article on this devastating event click here.
According to http://landslides.usgs.gov/ Areas that are generally prone to landslide hazards:
- On existing old landslides.
- On or at the base of slopes.
- In or at the base of minor drainage hollows.
- At the base or top of an old fill slope.
- At the base or top of a steep cut slope.
- Developed hillsides where leach field septic systems are used
For more from USGS including what to do before and after a landslide click here.
One Italy's biggest landslides killed nearly 2,000 people. "On October 9, 1963, at 10:39pm 260 million cubic metres of rock broke off from the top of Monte Toc, on the border between Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. It fell into the reservoir of the Vajont Dam, producing an enormous wave of at least 50 million cubic metres of water. The dam, completed in 1959 and one of the biggest in the world at the time, did not suffer any serious damage. However, flooding destroyed several villages in the valley and killed almost 2,000 people." To read more from this article and about this devastating event in Italian history click here.
Italy has also played host to several major avalanches;
In 1916 Troops fighting in the Italian Campaign between Italy and Austrio-Hungary were caught in what became known as White Friday when more than 500 men were buried alive. Both sides of the war had been intentionally causing avalanches to kill enemy forces downhill from them.
Most Recently 6 Skiers were killed in an Avalanche in March of 2016 and several other people reported missing.
In 2009 Italy asked a national research institute to develop a prototype for an early warning system. To read the full briefing click here.
Video of a 2010 Landslide in Italy
V
Video of an Italian Avalanche
Euronews. "'Six Dead' in Avalanche in Italian Alps, Others Missing."Euronews. N.p., 13 Mar. 2016. Web. 14 Oct. 2016
"Expecting Disaster: The 1963 Landslide of the Vajont Dam | Environment & Society Portal." Expecting Disaster: The 1963 Landslide of the Vajont Dam | Environment & Society Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
Hanley, Anne. "Italy Declares Emergency in Landslide Region." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 08 May 1998. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
"Landslide Preparedness." Landslide Preparedness. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
Friday, September 23, 2016
Vulcano
Fun Fact: Volcano in Italian is Vulcano
There are currently THREE active Volcanoes in Italy. According to a website called Understanding Italy, "Italy is home to three active volcanoes, all located in the south of the country. Mount Vesuvius, in Naples, is the only active volcano on mainland Europe. It is famous for the destruction of the Roman towns of Pompei and Herculaneum in 79 BC, an event described in great detail by Pliny the Younger" (http://www.understandingitaly.com/profile-content/volcanoes.html).
According to an article posted on BBC News Europe, In 2003 Efforts were made to put in a warning system that would warn the Island where Vesuvius is and people up the coast of Italy as well, including the warning of people if a Tidal Wave is coming, "within 10 minutes, we will have alerted the whole coast" Says Emergency Official, Elvezio Galanti.
To Read the full BBC article click here.
Image of MT Edna
- See more here
Citations:
"BBC NEWS | Europe | Early Warning System for Stromboli." BBC News. BBC, 07 Jan. 2003. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.
"Italian Volcanoes, Volcanoes in Italy, Volcanic Activity Italy, Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius, Stromboli,active, Dormant, Extinct Volcanoes." Italian Volcanoes, Volcanoes in Italy, Volcanic Activity Italy, Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius, Stromboli,active, Dormant, Extinct Volcanoes. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.
There are currently THREE active Volcanoes in Italy. According to a website called Understanding Italy, "Italy is home to three active volcanoes, all located in the south of the country. Mount Vesuvius, in Naples, is the only active volcano on mainland Europe. It is famous for the destruction of the Roman towns of Pompei and Herculaneum in 79 BC, an event described in great detail by Pliny the Younger" (http://www.understandingitaly.com/profile-content/volcanoes.html).
According to an article posted on BBC News Europe, In 2003 Efforts were made to put in a warning system that would warn the Island where Vesuvius is and people up the coast of Italy as well, including the warning of people if a Tidal Wave is coming, "within 10 minutes, we will have alerted the whole coast" Says Emergency Official, Elvezio Galanti.
To Read the full BBC article click here.
Active Volcanoes in Italy
| Name | Height (m) | Last Activity |
| Mount Etna | 3,329 | Continuous |
| Stromboli | 926 | Continuous |
| Mount Vesuvius | 1,281 | 1944 |
Image of MT Edna
Dormant Volcanoes in Italy
| Name | Height (m) | Last Activity |
| Pantelleria | 836 | 1891 |
| Vulcano | 500 | 1890 |
| Campi Flegrei | 458 | 1538 |
| Ischia | 789 | 1302 |
| Larderello | 500 | 1282 |
| Lipari | 602 | 729 |
| Vulsini | 800 | 104 BC |
| Colli Albani | 950 | 5,000 BC |
- See more hereCitations:
"BBC NEWS | Europe | Early Warning System for Stromboli." BBC News. BBC, 07 Jan. 2003. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.
"Italian Volcanoes, Volcanoes in Italy, Volcanic Activity Italy, Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius, Stromboli,active, Dormant, Extinct Volcanoes." Italian Volcanoes, Volcanoes in Italy, Volcanic Activity Italy, Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius, Stromboli,active, Dormant, Extinct Volcanoes. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.
Friday, September 9, 2016
Eeeaaarrrtthhhqquaaaaaaake
This week we are discussing Seismicity which refers to the occurence or frequency of earthquakes in a region.
Italy has experienced several earthquakes over the last couple of months. The following is a link to view all the recent earthquakes in Italy: http://ds.iris.edu/seismon/eventlist/index.phtml?region=Europe&lon=13.1&lat=42.88.
On August 24, 2016 292 people died from a 6.2 earthquake and several large after shocks that followed.
Italy has been very slow to put measures in place to protect it's people.
On August 31st the Italian Prime Minister introduced some major plans for disaster preparedness saying, "The national plan will be called Casa Italia and will include making structures earthquake-proof across the country and a range of other environmental measures." To read the full article click here.
Seismic Zones in Italy
This picture was taken from a basic google image search
Citation:
"Italy Commits to Long Term Earthquake Preparedness." Http://reliefweb.int/report/italy/italy-commits-long-term-earthquake-preparedness. N.p., 31 Aug. 2016. Web. 8 Aug. 2016. <http://reliefweb.int/report/italy/italy-commits-long-term-earthquake-preparedness>.
Italy has experienced several earthquakes over the last couple of months. The following is a link to view all the recent earthquakes in Italy: http://ds.iris.edu/seismon/eventlist/index.phtml?region=Europe&lon=13.1&lat=42.88.
On August 24, 2016 292 people died from a 6.2 earthquake and several large after shocks that followed.
Italy has been very slow to put measures in place to protect it's people.
On August 31st the Italian Prime Minister introduced some major plans for disaster preparedness saying, "The national plan will be called Casa Italia and will include making structures earthquake-proof across the country and a range of other environmental measures." To read the full article click here.
Seismic Zones in Italy
This picture was taken from a basic google image search
Citation:
"Italy Commits to Long Term Earthquake Preparedness." Http://reliefweb.int/report/italy/italy-commits-long-term-earthquake-preparedness. N.p., 31 Aug. 2016. Web. 8 Aug. 2016. <http://reliefweb.int/report/italy/italy-commits-long-term-earthquake-preparedness>.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Is Italy the glue between tectonic plates??????
Italy is located on the edge of the Eurasion plate with the southern tip being on the African plate. It is a convergent boundary.
In the textbook Natural Hazards, by Keller and Blodgett, it is stated that "Convergent boundaries occur where plates are colliding" (Natural Hazards 10). The Appennine Mountains, a large range running all the way down the nation, were formed due to a process called subduction. In the text Natural Hazard the authors refer to subduction as "the process of one tectonic plate sinking below the other" (Natural Hazards 10).
In her article published on the Smithsonian website about the recent 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Italy, Erin Blakemore quotes Jonathan Amos a reporter for the BBC saying, "Tyrrhenian basin, which is located beneath the western Mediterranean Sea, is opening up slowly—over a tenth of an inch each year. That spread is complicated by counter-clockwise movement in the Adriatic Plate, which sits right at the boundary between the Eurasian and African plates 'Italy is literally being pushed and pulled every way,' concludes Amos—and he’s not the only one. The USGS calls the area “tectonically and geologically comple”(Blakemore).
I found all of this to be very interesting, people say California has it bad but Geologically speaking things are not looking good in Italy. To read the full article by Blakemore click this link http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/geology-behind-italys-catastrophic-quake-180960233/#8iyIWJ5wsHb1uCMV.99
Note the pictures used in this post were taken from a basic image search of Italian tectonic plates and are assumed to be public.
Citations:
Blakemore, Erin. "The Geology Behind Italy’s Catastrophic Quake." Www.smithsonianmag.com. N.p., 24 Aug. 2016. Web. 09 Sept. 2016. <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/geology-behind-italys-catastrophic-quake-180960233/?no-ist>.
Keller, Edward A., and Robert H. Blodgett. Natural Hazards: Earth's Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006. N. pag. Print.
The difference between hazards, disasters, and catastrophes.
Hello all I seemed to have missed where it said to do this assignment so it is a little late.
By definition:
"A hazard is any natural process that poses a threat to human life or property."
"A disaster is the effect of a hazard on society, usually as an even that occurs over a limited time span in a defined geographic area."
And lastly, "A Catastrophe is a massive disaster, requiring significant expenditure of time and money for recovery."
I would say the differences are pretty clear and lies within the severity of their effects on society. Hazards are your run of the mill things expected in your region like tsunamis, wildfires, storms, droughts etc., disasters are kind of the middle of the road giving us earth quakes floods and hurricanes, and last but definitely not least we have catastrophes giving us the severe versions of all of the above creating the most damage many times resulting in local governments calling for state of emergency like they have for our current wildfires burning in CA.
Keller, Edward A., and Robert H. Blodgett. "Introduction To Natural Hazards." Natural Hazards: Earth's Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006. N. pag. Print.
By definition:
"A hazard is any natural process that poses a threat to human life or property."
"A disaster is the effect of a hazard on society, usually as an even that occurs over a limited time span in a defined geographic area."
And lastly, "A Catastrophe is a massive disaster, requiring significant expenditure of time and money for recovery."
I would say the differences are pretty clear and lies within the severity of their effects on society. Hazards are your run of the mill things expected in your region like tsunamis, wildfires, storms, droughts etc., disasters are kind of the middle of the road giving us earth quakes floods and hurricanes, and last but definitely not least we have catastrophes giving us the severe versions of all of the above creating the most damage many times resulting in local governments calling for state of emergency like they have for our current wildfires burning in CA.
Keller, Edward A., and Robert H. Blodgett. "Introduction To Natural Hazards." Natural Hazards: Earth's Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006. N. pag. Print.
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