LED 130: Issues in Environmental Science Lectures 8 & 9 (PDF)

LED 130: Issues in Environmental science lecture 8: Earthquake By Dr. Elizabeth D. Agyei Earthquakes Fault: a break in the Earth’s crust. Blocks of the crust slide past each other along fault lines. When rocks that are under stress suddenly break, a series of g...

LED 130: Issues in Environmental science lecture 8: Earthquake By Dr. Elizabeth D. Agyei Earthquakes Fault: a break in the Earth’s crust. Blocks of the crust slide past each other along fault lines. When rocks that are under stress suddenly break, a series of ground vibrations is set off. These vibrations are known as earthquakes. Earthquakes are occurring all the time. Focus & Epicenter The point beneath the surface where the rocks break and move is called the focus. The focus is the underground origin of an earthquake. Directly above the focus, on the Earth’s surface is the epicenter. Earthquake waves reach the epicenter first. During an earthquake, the most violent shaking is found at the epicenter. Seismologists Seismologists study earthquakes. They can determine the strength of an earthquake by the height of the wavy line recorded on the paper. The seismograph record of waves is called a seismogram. The Richter scale is used to calculate the strength of an earthquake. The Richter Scale Used by scientists to quantify the amount of energy released by an earthquake. Magnitude: The measure of the energy released by an earthquake. The scale goes from 1.0 to 10.0. Each increase of magnitude by one whole number is ten times greater and releases 31.7 times more energy than the whole number below it. The Seismograph A weight attached to a spring remains nearly still even when the Earth moves. A pen attached to the weight records any movement on a roll of paper on a constantly rotating drum. The drum moves with the Earth and affects the line. Activity Discuss three (3) examples each, for the following impacts of earthquakes. Tsunamis Earthquakes which occur on the ocean floor produce giant sea waves called tsunamis. Tsunamis can travel at speeds of 700 to 800 km per hour. As they approach the coast, they can reach heights of greater than 20 meters. How a Tsunami Forms  LED 130: Issues in Environmental science lecture 9: Volcanic Eruption By Dr. Elizabeth D. Agyei Volcanoes A volcano is a mountain built from magma. Magma: melted rock that found beneath the surface of the earth (called lava when above earth’s surface) Located near tectonic plate boundaries where plates are sliding or separating from one another. May occur on the land or under sea. Formation of a Volcano Types of Volcanoes Different types of volcanic eruptions form different types of volcanoes. Cinder cones Shield volcanoes Composite volcanoes Three Types Cinder Cones Volcanoes made mostly of cinders and other rock particles that have been blown into the air are called cinder cones. Cinder cones form from explosive eruptions. Because the material is loosely arranged, the cones are not high. The have a narrow base and steep sides such as Paricutin in Mexico. Cinder Cone Volcano Shield Volcanoes Volcanoes composed of quiet flows are called shield volcanoes. Because it is rummy, the lava flows over a large area. After several eruptions, a dome-shaped mountain is formed such as Mauna Loa (4km over sea level) in the Hawaiian Islands. Shield Volcanoes Composite Volcanoes Volcanoes built up of alternating layers of rock particles and lava are called composite volcanoes. During the formation of a composite volcano, a violent eruption first occurs, hurling volcanic bombs, cinder and ash out of the vent. Then a quiet eruption, produces lava flow that covers the rock particles. After alternating eruptions, a cone- shaped mountain forms such as Mount Vesuvius. Mount Vesuvius Mount Vesuvius Images of victims in eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Most died as a result of suffocation. Composite Volcano Crater There is often a funnel-shaped pit or depression at the top of a volcanic cone. This pit is called a crater. If the crater becomes very large as a result of the collapse of its walls, it is called a caldera. A caldera may also form when the top of a volcano explodes or collapses. Volcanic Crater Volcanic Activity Volcanoes are rather unpredictable. Some erupt regularly, others have not erupted in modern history. Scientists classify them as active, dormant or extinct. Active Volcanoes An active volcano is one that erupts wither continually or periodically such as Mount Katmai in Alaska and Mount St. Helens in the Cascade Range. Dormant Volcano A volcano that has been known to erupt within modern times but is now inactive is classified as a dormant volcano. Mount Rainier in Washington state are example of dormant volcanoes in the United States. Extinct Volcano A volcano not known to have erupted within modern history is classified as an extinct volcano. They have been worn away almost to the level of their magma chamber. Scientists can be wrong. Mount St. Helens was considered to be dormant but erupted after long periods of inactivity.  Volcanic Eruptions Volcanoes erupt because of density and pressure. The lower density of the m a g m a re l at i ve to t h e surrounding rocks causes it to rise. A volcano erupts when the pressure of the magma inside becomes so great It will rise to the surface or that it blows open the solid surface of to a depth that is the volcano. determined by the density Some volcanoes have magma flowing out o f t h e m a g m a a n d t h e of them all the time so the pressure never weight of the rocks above builds up and they never erupt. it. Local Effects of Volcano Eruptions Volcanic eruptions can be devastating to local economies and can cause great human loss. Clouds of hot ash, dust, and gases can flow down the slope of a volcano up to 200 km/hour and sear everything in their path. Volcanic ash can mix with water and produce a mudflow. Ash that falls to the ground can cause buildings to collapse, bury crops, damage engines, and cause breathing problems. Global Effects of Volcano Eruptions Can change Earth’s climate for several years. Clouds of volcanic ash and sulfur-rich gases can reach the upper atmosphere. **Iceland Ash and gas spread across the planet and reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the Earth’s surface. Reduced sunlight can result in a decrease in the average global temperature over a period of several years. Volcano and Earthquake Zones Most major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in three zones of the world. Scientists believe that there is a great deal of movement and activity in the Earth’s crust in these three zones. Ring of Fire One major earthquake and volcano zone extends nearly all the way around the edge of the Pacific Ocean. This zone goes through New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, Alaska and along the western coasts of North and South America. The San Andreas fault is part of this zone. Mediterranean Zone A second Major earthquake and volcano zone is located near the Mediterranean Zone and extends across Asia into India. Many countries in the zone, including Italy, Greece and Turkey, have violent earthquakes. Many volcanic eruptions also occur in this zone. Mid-Atlantic Ridge Zone The third major earthquake and volcano zone extends through Iceland and to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. There is under the ocean a long range of volcanic mountains called the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Range. Scientists believe that the volcano and earthquake activity are due to the formation of new parts of the Earth’s crust along the ridge. The volcanic island of Iceland is part of this zone. in 3. Store as much food , water, light sources and batteries that are very useful in case of emergency. Precautionary measures during Volcanic eruptions: 1. Avoid all low-lying places because lava flows and mudflows are more likely to pare there  Volcanic eruptions can be extremely damaging to the environment, particularly because of the number of toxic gases possibly present in pyroclastic material. It typically consists mainly of water vapour. But it also contains carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide gases. Other gases found in volcanic ashes are: Hydrogen sulphide Hydrogen chloride Hydrogen fluoride Carbon monoxide Volatile metal chlorides.