LIBS1990 Fall 2018 Assignment 2: Natural Disasters Report

This report analyzes three recent natural disasters: the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake, the Joplin Tornado, and the Volcanic Eruptions of Mount Agung. The report provides an introduction to each event, including dates, geographical locations, and the types of disasters. It details the impacts of each event, such as the disruption of electrical services and the number of casualties for the Hokkaido earthquake, the economic cost and fatalities of the Joplin tornado, and the displacement of people and environmental damage caused by the Mount Agung eruptions. The report also explores possible mitigation strategies, such as enhancing disaster warning systems, training citizens in emergency procedures, and developing hazard maps. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and recommendations for future preparedness and response efforts.

Running head: RESTLESS PLANET
Restless Planet
11/20/2018

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Table of Contents
Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake...........................................................................................2
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................3
Joplin Tornado...........................................................................................................................4
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................5
Volcanic eruptions of Mount Agung..........................................................................................6
Introduction................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
References..................................................................................................................................8

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Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake
Source [(Hopps, 2018)]
Introduction
An earthquake with 6.6 MW hit southern Hokkaido, Japan, in 2018 on 6 of September at 3:08
a.m. as per the standard time of Japan. The Meteorological Agency of Japan recorded a
magnitude of 6.7 Mj and intensity of 7 on the Shindo scale. The electrical service was
disturbed due to the earthquake in Hokkaido (Guy Carpenter & Company, 2018).
The epicenter of the earthquake was close to Tomakomai and ensued at a depth of 35.0
kilometers. It caused numerous roads to become obstructed in Hokkaido. Few roads were
impassable by fragments from landslides, remaining were ruined due to soil liquefaction. The
disaster had a major influence on the fishing and farming industries in Hokkaido. The region
offers Japan’s half of raw milk, but in the absence of electricity or power for operating the
equipment of milking or refrigeration, the cows were not be milked and the goods were
wasted. The earthquake affected the electrical service in Hokkaido, which resulted in leaving

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around 5.3 million citizens without electricity. Approx. 41 residents were dead and 681 were
severely injured (The Minichi, 2018). The event is formally called as Hokkaido Eastern Iburi
Earthquake of Heisei 30. Hokkaido is a well-known zone for open spaces and agriculture that
individually accounts for around 3.5% economy of the country, but there are no projections
about the economic damage yet (The Japan Times, 2018).
Possible mitigations that could help in taking actions after the disaster in order to reduce
financial and human consequences are enhancing the knowledge regarding disaster warning
indications and alert announcements utilized in the society, instructing citizens how to shut
off electricity, gas, and water of their house (Disaster Readiness Portal, 2018).
Conclusion
From the above analysis, it could be said that areas experiencing natural calamities need to be
trained regarding how to reduce the effect of these damages. They must be trained in CRP
and first aid, and do the possible financial arrangement in terms of a sudden power outage
that closes local banks and ATMs.

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Joplin Tornado
Source [(Jeff, 2011)]
Introduction
The Joplin Tornado in 2011 was a disastrous multiple-vortex EF5-rated tornado that hit
Joplin, Missouri, on Sunday, May 22. This specific tornado was rare in that it deepened in
terms of strength and grew larger at a fast rate. It majorly affected the eastward across the city
and the rural area of Newton Country and Jasper County. The Tornado ranks as the priciest
tornado in the history of United States (Tornado Facts, 2018).
The Tornado was a fragment of a superior late-May tornado eruption and touched an extreme
width of closely 1 mile during its route through the city’s southern part. It firstly affected the
east zone of the Missouri-Kansas at 5:34 pm. Observers and tornado chasers stated numerous
vortices revolving around the parent flow in that region. The tornado reinforced to EF1 power
as it sustained through the rural zones towards Joplin, breaking power poles and trees and
destructing sheds. In all, due to tornado around 158 people were killed, 1,150 were severely

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injured, and others were caused damages of around $2.8 billion (Insurance Journal, 2014).
This Tornado was the most deadly disaster to hit the US. The insurance disbursement was
provided of around $2.8 billion, which is considered as the highest in the history of Missouri.
A tornado can occur at any time during day or night. Therefore, it is very important to take
some possible actions in order to reduce the effect in the future. The citizens of the area must
make required arrangements for seniors, disabled, and pets. They must acquaint themselves
about the emergency plans for the employment building, nursing home, day care center, and
school for their family members (MNN, 2018).
Conclusion
From the above discussion regarding Tornado, it is recommended to provide emergency
alerts to the citizens such that they could shift to a safe area where they had to experience less
damage due to disaster. Besides this, people must build an emergency kit that will include
non-perishable food, water for some days, personal hygiene products, first-aid supplies, etc.

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Volcanic eruptions of Mount Agung
Source [(Smith, 2017)]
Introduction
Mount Agung is a volcano on the Bali Island in Indonesia, exploded 5-times in November
2017. It caused thousands to leave their place, environmental damage and disrupted air travel.
On 27 November 2017, the level of alert was highest and the orders of migration were
provided. Tectonic earthquakes, due to volcano eruption had been noticed meanwhile in the
early August, and activity of volcanic strengthened for numerous weeks before reducing
considerably in late October. The more intense period of main activity i.e. volcano eruption
started in late November (Barnes, 2018).
The region acknowledged around 844 volcanic earthquakes and 400 earthquakes in
September. On 21 November, there was a minor phreatic outbreak informed at 9:05 (UTC),
with the dusty cloud reaching 3,842 meters above the level of the sea (Laud, 2018).
Thousands of citizens instantly escaped the zone, and around 29,000 provisional refugees

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were informed to be placed at approx. 270 nearby locations. On 26 November, at 23:37
(UTC), one more outbreak arose. The international airport i.e. Ngurah Rai was close the next
day, due to which several travelers were stuck in the area. In a 10-kilometer radius of the
disaster, around 100,000 people were asked to leave the area. Ash exposure due to volcanic
eruption affected around 5.6 million people in the inhabited area close to the volcano (Laud,
2018).
In order to avert future tragedies, or to diminish their degree, a sequence of actions should be
taken before, during, and after the volcanic outbreak. Numerous local research centers-
particularly South East Asia and Latin America must be introduced that have all the
important material and can aid as training centers of volcanologists, for cooperation, and
community education, with other technical organizations.
Conclusion
The Volcanic eruptions are very dangerous and affect many people living nearby locations.
Therefore, it is recommended to have a hazard map that supports in determining whether a
volcano is possibly dangerous and to measure the risk. For that drive, thorough information
about the history and features of the precise volcano is crucial, which needs to be specified in
the geologic and topographic mapping.

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References
Barnes, T. (2018). Bali volcano: 'Flares of incandescent lava' shoot from Mount Agung after
new eruption. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bali-
volcano-latest-mount-agung-new-eruption-july-flights-cancelled-a8427861.html
Disaster Readiness Portal. (2018). Earthquakes – Mitigation (Actions Before, During, After).
Retrieved from http://disasterpreparednesscourse.com/disaster-hazards/earthquakes/
earthquakes-mitigation-actions-before-during-after/
Guy Carpenter & Company. (2018). Mw 6.6 Earthquake – Iburi, Hokkaido. Retrieved from
http://www.gccapitalideas.com/2018/09/09/mw-66-earthquake-%E2%80%93-iburi-
hokkaido/
Hopps, K. (2018). Japan earthquake MAP: Where is Hokkaido? USGS says 6.6 magnitude
earthquake hits Japan. Retrieved from
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1013583/japan-earthquake-map-hokkaido-
where-is-usgs-2018-ring-of-fire-tsunami-warning
Insurance Journal. (2014). Home Depot Sued Over Joplin, Missouri, Tornado Deaths.
Retrieved from
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2014/08/06/336967.htm
Jeff, D. (2011). Joplin tornado toll at 116; dangerous tornado outbreak expected today.
Retrieved from https://maps.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?
entrynum=1808&page=5

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Laud, G. (2018). Bali volcano eruption update: Where is the danger zone around Mount
Agung? Retrieved from https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/983931/Bali-volcano-
eruption-update-mount-agung-eruption-latest-danger-zone
MNN. (2018). 10 ways to prepare for tornadoes, strong winds and hailstorms. Retrieved
from https://www.mnn.com/family/protection-safety/sponsorstory/10-ways-to-
prepare-for-tornadoes-strong-winds-and-hailstorms
Smith, R. (2017). Bali volcano update LIVE: Mount Agung eruption IMMINENT – latest
graphs, news, maps. Retrieved from
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/859280/Bali-volcano-update-Mount-Agung-
eruption-latest-seismic-graphs-news-maps-warnings-live
The Japan Times. (2018). Examining the potential economic impact of the quake in Japan’s
agricultural capital of Hokkaido. Retrieved from
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/09/06/national/examining-potential-
economic-impact-quake-japans-agricultural-capital-hokkaido/#.W_OTPTgzbIU
The Minichi. (2018). Huge quake in Hokkaido leaves 7 dead, safety of 31 unknown.
Retrieved from https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180906/p2a/00m/0na/009000c
Tornado Facts. (2018). Joplin Tornado. Retrieved from
https://www.tornadofacts.net/tornado-records/joplin-tornado.html