Dangerous and Natural Energy, Research Paper Example

This paper posits to discuss and investigate the nature of earthquakes as experienced in different parts of the world. It will also highlight earthquakes as a manifestation of geological energy, as it answers several questions.  One of the many forms in which geological energy is felt is as an earthquake. This energy is found below the earth’s crust. It exists in the form of movement of the tectonic plates. Tectonic energy is released as mechanical energy and its quantity is dependent on the accrued strain as well as the mass of area involved and also the acceleration of waves

In investigating earthquake patterns across the U.S it will be noticed that most of the earthquakes are found along the western seashore of California. There are however, some not so major seismic activities in the south east territories of the U.S.  These earthquakes mainly take place along the Pacific coastline and further south along the Pacific coastline as well as in the Northwards along the Pacific coastline (USGS, 2011).the plate tectonic theory proves that the movements of the earths plates exerts intense pressure underground and ends up in eruptions

I live in Valdese NC 28690, in the United States.  The exact location of my home is Latitude: 35.74 N, Longitude: 81.56 W. earthquake activity in Valdese NC 28690, is historically 89% smaller than the general U.S. average.  According to color scale, Valdese NC is within the white color thus implying that that my home is less risky to experience earthquakes (USGS, 2011).

The earthquake patterns in the world tend not to be randomly distributed. They are conspicuously concentrated in thin zones, especially along coastlines. The explanation is mainly found in the plate tectonics. According to plate tectonics, the earth’s rigid lithosphere is divided into continental and oceanic plates, which may slide over the asthenosphere (Micaleff, et al, 2009).

According to USGS (2011) data, an earthquake point was located on the interactive map. This earthquake took place in the Kermadec Islands region, on July 31, 2011 at 13:29:36 UTC and had a magnitude of 5.2. Seismography was utilized to capture the earthquake’s magnitude. The geographical location, which provides the precise point in location where the seismic waves were experienced, was 31.173°S, 178.287°W. It is documented that the earthquake had depth effect of 53.9 km (33.5 miles). The earthquake was 64 km (39 miles) ENE of L’Esperance Rock, Kermadec Islands, 214 km (132 miles) S of Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands,  900 km (559 miles) NE of Auckland, New Zealand, 1153 km (716 miles) SSW of NUKU`ALOFA, Tonga. Considering the location uncertainty, the earthquake exhibited horizontal +/- 19.2 km (11.9 miles); depth +/- 6.9 km (4.3 miles). In relation to the source, the magnitude was USGS NEIC (WDCS-D), while location was USGS NEIC (WDCS-D). The event identification was usc00056w7 (USGS, 2011).

The red zones are considered to be high magnitude earthquake zones. These red zones are not particularly safe for human habitation, taking into consideration the earthquake magnitudes that have been recorded in these zones.  I would be unwilling to live in the red zone. The reason for my unwillingness to live in such regions is that, these regions have extremely high earthquake risks. In event of an earthquake occurrence in these red zones, the death toll is usually astronomical. There is usually great loss of livelihoods as well as damage and loss of property. Social infrastructure is not spared either (D’Alessio, 2007). Once the infrastructures together with the social facilities are destroyed, communication, transportation, health, schools, to mention but a few would be difficult and expensive to restore (Micaleff, et al, 2009).

In the event that I am forcibly relocated to the red regions, I would utilize the USGS website in predicting any probable earthquakes.  The USGS website has ample tools for the purpose of earthquake monitoring. These tools include earthquake probabilities, as well as information on earthquake preparedness (USGS, 2011).

The most destructive earthquake on record occurred in January 23, 1556 in China, Shansi. The earthquake magnitude was rated at 8. The death toll was a record 830,000 lives.  The two most recent earthquakes in the list include the earthquake that occurred in the Haiti region on January 01, 2010

“The magnitude was rated as 7.0. The death toll was recordedas 316,000. The other most recent earthquake in the list occurred in December 26, 2004 in Sumatra. The magnitude was rated at 9.1. The death toll was 227,898. These deaths were largely as a result of the earthquake as well as tsunami. In summary, the production of national and regional maps which depict and. investigate probabilistic earthquake ground shaking is a notable milestone in science.” (USGS, 2011)

This has facilitated the generation of appropriate building codes which mitigate destruction and loss of lives in the event of an earthquake. The power of science in controlling or predicting earthquakes has evolved astronomically (USGS, 2011).

In abstract, plate tectonics is a powerful tool in the prediction of earthquakes. This informs where 90% of the world’s major earthquakes are most likely to take place. It may not be precisely accurate as to the exact time of occurrence of an earthquake. This is better done by detailed study of the plate boundaries.

“Powerful motion seismology utilizes accelerometers, which are unique sensors, to record large-amplitude ground shakings and the reactions of engineered structures to these shakings. Recordings of these large-amplitude seismic waves in close proximity to the earthquake source are employed to scrutinize the fault motions that create the earthquake” (Holzer, 2007).

These tools have been primarily developed as science evolves, and humanity continues to find answers to the catastrophes that have befallen it in history.

Biological energy comes from the sun. It is stored in animals and plants as chemical energy. This is stored as bonds between atoms in different molecules (Holzer, 2007).

However, the two forms of energy entail exothermic processes. These two kinds of energy cause action when manifested in their transference from one entity to another or even in conversion to other kinds of energy.

References

U.S. Geological Survey.(2011). U.S. Geological Survey.Science for a Changing World. Retrieved July 31, 2011 from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

Holzer, T. (2007).Liquification – When the Ground Flows.San Francisco Chronicle In Education.U.S.Geological Survey.

D’Alessio, D. M. (2007). The Earthquake Machine: What 1906 Taught Us About How Earthquakes Work.San Francisco Chronicle In Education.U.S. Geological Survey.

Micaleff, A., Masson, D. G., Berndt, C. & Stow, D. A. V. (2009).Development & Mass Movement Processes of the North-EasternStoregga Slide.Quaternary Science Reviews.