San Francisco receives grant for earthquake early warning research

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded $6 million to three West Coast universities to create a prototype earthquake early warning system for the Pacific Coast of the United States.

Here is an example of what the program will look like:

The grant, in collaboration with the USGS, will allow seismologists in larger cities to learn about the science of earthquakes and the best way to capture and analyze seismic data. The goal is to give schools, utilities, industries and the general public as much time as possible, most likely seconds to several minutes, before the ground begins to shake.  A warning system has the potential to save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in the event of an earthquake, andit is important to resolve any scientific questions that could stand in the way of implementing such a system. 

The technology and scientific expertise exist to create a sophisticated West Coast earthquake early warning system even more advanced than Japan’s now four-year-old system, which functioned well after the magnitude 9.0 Tohoku quake earlier this year.  This is a great way to implement proper preventive mitigation measures.  Since the technology is constantly changing, Americans have developed a better system, so accurate that people will know the exact minute or second they will need to find rescure.  This will cut down on the "golden hour" and increase the chance of survival after an earthquake.


Article Here:
http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2011/11/29/moore-foundation-awards-6-million-for-earthquake-early-warning-research/

Lead Crisis Blamed on Post Katrina Renovations

Research says that exposure to lead has increased because of the post-Katrina demolitions and renovations.  After sampling 109 homes across the city, sixty-one percent of homes had lead hazards, and that's defined, not as detectable lead, but lead at a level higher than what the government deems safe.  They were higher income, non-minority households, home owners, which typically isn't the profile of the high risk population, so the findings were somewhat surprising.  This had to do with the renovation and demolition of old homes in a manner that was not lead safe after the disaster struck. 

This deals with the post measures taken after a disaster has hit.  It has been almost 7 years since Katrina hit, and just now they are discovering problems with lead and other hazardous material.  This is a long term effect resulting from poor maintance after a disaster and is easily blamed on poor conditions and not enough supplies to these areas.

Article Here:
http://www.fox8live.com/news/local/story/Post-Katrina-renovations-and-demolitions-blamed/GBokDXRa7kuFvzbJQryS8A.cspx

~*Climate Watch Edition!*~ LDC's vs. MDC's

Over the years, environmental protection agencies have agreed with the Kyoto Protocol in that more developed countries contribute more to green house gases, over 95%, compared to less developed countries.  Therefore, the argument has always been that industrialized nations should equally bear the brunt of financing the mechanisms that will make LDC's and developing countries adapt and overtime lessen the impacts of climate change on their people.  The major disagreement has been the emission reduction target set by the KP, which holds the industrialized nations to reduce their emissions by 5.2% of the 1990 levels by the year 2012. This deadline is approaching fast, and crucial decisions will be made if green house gasses want to be significantly reduced.  

One of the developing countries that will stand for change is Nigeria, who has many demands of how they want their funds to be distributed.  However, even as a LDC, one major emission problem  of Nigeria is the flaring of associated gas by the petroleum companies operating there, which could account for significant percentage of the overall Nigeria’s green house gas levels.  Other factors include poverty, and poor regulations to maintain "eco rules" on citizens cars which produce a large amount of emission.  This relates to how many different factors can influence how a simple decision is made.  In this case, politics, poverty, and unregulated rules all combine together so a LDC will continually be held down by MDC's so standards won't be met.  This is hurting not only LDC's, but MDC's because they have to deal with the wrath of global climate change and this problem won't be going away anytime soon.

Article Here:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/climate-watch-green-house-gas-and-vehicular-emission-in-nigeria/

Earthquake Shakes up Oklahoma

Oklahoma experienced its largest earthquake recorded on history Saturday evening while the aftershock continued to shake cities on Sunday morning.  There were no reported injuries or deaths, but there was a significant amount of widespread damage including demolished chimneys and cracked foundations.  The magnitude 5.6 earthquake was centered near Prague, Okla., 44 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. It could be felt throughout the state and as far away as Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, northern Texas, and even Wisconsin.  

Between 1972 and 2008, there have been about two to six earthquakes a year throughout the state.  In 2009, the number jumped to 50 quakes, all centered in the area struck on Saturday.  This may be linked to the Wilzetta fault line shifting and creating a lot more earthquakes.  We learned from lab that the majority of earthquakes happen on or near fault lines, and this is an interesting case because Oklahoma is located near the center of the continent, not near many fault boundaries.  The people in Oklahoma were a bit "shaken" up because they do not regularly have earthquakes, so their preparedness was under developed compared to areas with high vulnerability. 

Article Here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203733504577022110603813068.html?mod=googlenews_wsj