The Earth's crust is lying on top of plates called tectonic plates. When changes in the Earths geological structure occur this may cause the tectonic plates to shift. When these plates shift that will cause the ground above it to move. These events are called earthquakes. The Three Gorges Dam may have been tied to major earthquakes including the one in May of 2008 which killed 87,000 people (Wu 1). The Three Gorges Dam is the largest dam in the world (Wu 1). It is located in China. With all the weight the dam puts the ground under it puts stress on the plates which causes them to shift and cause earthquakes. However, that…
Of all the naturally occurring events on Earth, earthquakes are among the most devastating and bring a lot of truth to the statement, “Just because something is natural does not mean it is not dangerous.” Earthquakes are one of the most natural things I can think of that can cause massive damage and loss of human live in many instances, and the effects are sometimes long term. “Nothing happens without a force. Many geophysicists accept the theory that continents move as a result of the forces generated by mantel convection deep within Earth – motions driven by our planet’s internal heat energy” (Trefil & Hazen, 2010). According to National Geographic (1996-2012), constant movement in the tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s crust causes an earthquake. The constant nature of this movement causes a buildup of energy, which is stored in rocks at fault lines. The stored energy is eventually released and a sudden, rapid shaking of the Earth is the result. “An Earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another” (Wald, 2009). An event cannot be more natural than the Earth itself actually causing it.…
Two main sources of greenhouse gases. Energy use: Humans derive energy from burning fossil fuels, which releases almost three quarters of all human-produced greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Half of all fossil fuels are burned to provide electricity and heat; the next big users of fossil fuels are manufacturing and transportation. Land use: How humans remove forests and use land contributes over one quarter of all human-produced greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so logging and clearing forest land for agriculture and development means…
Since the time of the Industrial Revolution, human activities have polluted the air with large amounts of greenhouses gasses. These gasses are thick covering the Earth in the atmosphere creating and trapping more heat on Earth’s surface; this is known as the greenhouse effect. While the greenhouse effect is needed to support life on Earth, a continuous buildup of these gasses becomes harmful. Greenhouses gasses come from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and some agriculture practices. When the carbon dioxide is released by these activities it is trapped in the lower part of the troposphere heating the surface of the Earth thus creating global warming. The most significant greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide; it can cause the most substantial increase in temperature.…
In 2013, 82% of human-produced greenhouse gas emissions were carbon dioxide (Nasa climate change). This resulted from the burning of fossil fuels, solid waste, trees, wood, and other chemical reactions. The biggest reason is because of the burning of fossil fuels this includes driving your car and nuclear power plants.…
Earthquakes are vibrations of earth caused by the rapid release of energy. These earthquakes can be caused by faults in the Earth’s crust scraping against each other. Faults are constantly sliding past each other, but can occasionally have difficulty when the earth around these faults cracks, causing the path to become rugged. When they don’t slide easily, they cause tension. When the tension and pressure is released, this causes said vibrations that can be large enough to damage and destroy cities, or so small that they can only be detected by a seismograph.…
Since the beginnings of the Industrial Age in the mid 19th century, the earth has experienced a very rapid increase in the amount of pollutants in the air and the water, due to emissions from automobiles, factories, chemical plants and other manufacturing methods which use fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum, to create power. But within the last thirty years or so, the amount of pollution in our air and water has reached what some consider as a tipping point, meaning that pollution is slowly yet surely poisoning not only our air and water but also living environments all over the planet. Many proposals have been put forward concerning ways to decrease pollution and to help slow down global warming, yet the causes and effects of air and…
Since the driving force for nuclear reactors is steam, there is virtually zero harmful pollutants put into Earth 's atmosphere. “Nuclear power is the only industry which takes full responsibility for all its wastes, and costs this into the product” in the United States…
Another main hazard is flooding, to explain a little better earthquakes can cause breaks in dams and levees. Causing the rivers to flood the reservoir, then the water can only move into the rest of the land. This will cause buildings, roadways, etc. to be destroyed or swept away, also people drowning. Earthquakes also can cause Submarine earthquake. They travel across the ocean floor at a high rate of speed have been known to cause Tsunamis. In 1964 the Alaskan earthquake caused damage to many regions in California, though not to Los Angeles at that time. Los Angeles is considered a tsunami…
Los Angeles, California have been experiencing a growing population within our city. The growing population in this city has caused an increased pressure on the infrastructure and natural resources that are beginning to affect our environment. The expansion of the city has cut deeper into the rural areas that are causing problems to the environment, such as a loss in our wetlands, water pollution, biological habitats, and air pollution. The cause of the growing population has led to a high density of factories, automobiles, and commercial enterprises in Los Angeles. The population growth is beginning…
Earthquakes are caused when the tectonic plates (giant slabs of rock) grind together causing the build up of huge forces. When the pressure gets too much, the edges of the plate suddenly slip and an earthquake results.…
Many changes are produced on the earth's surface by earthquakes. They cause landslips and cracks in the earth, which will sometimes alter the drainage system of a country. They are frequently accompanied by great sea waves, which will often sweep rocks and sand great distances inland. Permanent elevations and depressions of land are sometimes caused.…
Earthquakes may lead to a great loss of life. Huge number of cars, houses, hospitals, schools, malls and general property may be damaged. Road and bridge might collapse making transportation almost impossible. Earthquakes can also lead to volcanic eruptions which can cause further problems.…
The earthquake can make the buildings and bridges to fall, disrupt electricity, gas, and phone service. It can even further cause landslides, flash floods, avalanches, fires and destructive ocean waves, also known as tsunamis. The buildings with unstable foundations, old watercourses and other unsound structures are greatly at risk.…
Fossil fuels and Nuclear power plants are extremely dangerous to the environment. They pollute the very atmosphere we breathe and they’re extremely expensive. It emits large amounts of toxins and carbon dioxide into the air, not only hurting humans but also the crops we grow. They also assist the cause global warming. “A catastrophic human’s effect of burning fossil fuels and nuclear waste is global warming. They emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming.” (Sen) It is destroying ecosystems, but how do we fix this issue?…