Environmental Risk ..(( Tsunami)) Example

Environmental Risk ..(( Tsunami)) Example Environmental Risk ..(( Tsunami)) â€" Assignment Example > IntroductionTsunamis are series of waves that occur in large masses of water like the ocean and are characterised by a displacement of a substantial amount of the water (J. Fradin and D. Fradin, 2008 p. 1; Harvey 1971). This paper examines tsunamis as an environmental risk, and provides a logic tree of causes and effects of a tsunami. It also identifies the scientific approach for quantifying the pathways risks and weaknesses of these approaches, assesses the feasibility of controlling these risks, compares the likelihood and magnitude of these risks with that of other environment risks, and evaluates people’s perceptions on these risks. An environmental riskA tsunami is an environmental risk. This is because it can cause death to both human beings and other living things as well as destroy properties and infrastructure (Harvey 1971; Kajikawa 2009, p. 5). This destruction can further result in release and exposure of toxic substances that are harmful to the environment. Tsunamis also cause disturbances and imbalance of ecosystems (Dudley Lee 1998, p. 11), and destroy landscapes. The effects of a tsunami are also experienced in terms of indirect loss caused by it (Kajikawa 2009, p. 10). The structure of pathways between potential causes and consequences of a tsunamiFigure 1. a logic tree diagram for a tsunami representing the structure of pathways between potential sources of harm and possible consequencesScientific approaches for quantifying a selected sample of pathways on the logicFigure 2. a selected sample of pathways ( links) on the tsunami logic treeThe rectangles represents the nodes, while the arrows indicate the links. The following scientific approaches can be used to quantify the particular pathways: In A, geological seismography would be ideal in quantifying the seismic activities or earthquakes. This entaild the use of seismographic detection to identify the location and intensity of seismic waves, and using geological knowledge to interpret the significance of the waves. In B, geological subsurface mapping and geological survey methods would be useful in quantifying risks associated with large water bodies. This would include use of field-based geophysical methods such as seismic surveys, electrical-resistivity tomography, and ground-penetrating radar. In C, both laboratory and field experiments on geophysical fluid dynamics would be useful in quantification of the risks linked to water displacement of large water bodies. In D and E, marine physics or physical oceanography method would be ideal in quantification of risks associated with both negative and actual wave travel to the coastline. F could be assessed through marine engineering, while G could be quantified through damage assessment case studies. Damage assessment includes estimation of destroyed properties and infrastructure. In H, containment engineering methods could be applied in quantification of the spread toxic waste resulting from a tsunami. In I, tox icology would be useful in risks quantification of this pathway. In J and K, statistics of disaster-based accident would be useful in their quantification. Weaknesses in available scientific knowledge for quantifying the selected pathwaysThe use of geology and seismography knowledge in quantification of earthquakes has some weaknesses. Even though it is possible to detect seismic waves of importance, it is not easy to accurately link these waves to imminence of a tsunami. This is because much of geological information such as structural composition of the earth is derived from samples (Reddi Inyang 2000, p. 68), and prediction using this method provides generalized information. Therefore, this knowledge is only able to provide estimates. Similarly, use of samples in geological subsurface mapping and geological survey methods provide estimated data. The weaknesses in marine physics or physical oceanography, marine engineering, and accident statistics, also, rely on sample data and estimation. More to the weaknesses of these knowledge is use of assumptions in some instances.