Ume
Volcanic Eruption: The Strongest Natural Disaster
Members: Kim, MinJun(Luke) / Kim, TaeHo(Leo) / Min, YuTae(Yutae) / Park, JunHwan(Andrew) / Jeon, YoungJoon(Youngjoon) / Cha, YuAn(Yuan)
Do you know the strongest natural disaster? The strongest natural disaster is a volcanic eruption. Volcanic eruptions are the eruption of matter, such as magma, from a volcano. Today, we are going to tell you about volcanic eruptions.
Deep within the Earth, it is hot, so the rocks slowly melt and become a thick flowing substance called magma. Since the magma is lighter than the solid rock around it, it rises. Eventually, some of it pushes through the Earth’s surface. This is called an eruption.
The strongest recorded volcanic eruption occurred in 1815 in Indonesia. Mount Tambora erupted and killed a lot of people. The ash from the eruption blocked the sunlight, which caused disease and starvation.
To be prepared, we should save food, water, first aid kits, blankets, clothes, a radio, flashlights, and batteries. We should know where the nearest shelter is.
Volcanic eruptions can cause a lot of damage to our lives. We should always be prepared for a volcanic eruption.
Flood
Members: Park, SungYun(Eric) / Yi, Yeonwoo(Yeonwoo) / Choi, JaeSeoung(Jason) / So, JiHwan(James) / Huh, JaeWon(Jay) / Lee, DongGyu(Aiden)
Floods can happen during heavy rains, when ocean waves crash on the shore, when snow melts quickly, or when dams or levees break. Severe flooding is caused by atmospheric conditions that lead to heavy rain or the rapid melting of snow or ice.
The great flood that took place in China in 1931 was a severe large-scale flood that took place during the Republic of China. It killed at least 140,000 to up to 4 million people. It is considered the worst natural disaster in history. Poor management of the rivers, which were overwhelmed by extreme weather, caused the Yangtze-Haui river to overflow.
How can we prepare for floods? We should practice and learn evacuation routes. We should check for shelter safety. We should save food and water. Also we need to predict the floods and listen to the evacuation radio. Follow these rules and you can survive.
The Blizzard Bombardment
Members: Kim, DaEun(Dana) / Park, SeoWoo(Stella) / Parkj, JungHyun(Junghyun) / Yun, SeoYoung(Phoebe) / Jung, NaRae(Luna) / Hong, JaeYoon(Jaeyoon)
A blizzard is defined as a snowstorm characterized by sustained wind speeds, reduced visibility, and an extended duration. Blizzards have several factors to them: cold air masses, moisture supply, lift mechanism, snow production, and strong winds. When all these factors align, a blizzard can develop, carrying heavy snowfalls, frigid temperatures, and other disastrous events.
The Iran blizzard of February 1972 was the deadliest blizzard in history, as recorded by the Guiness Book of World Records. It started on February 9, 1972. 4,000 lives were lost. The Iran blizzard dropped 26 feet of snow and lasted for six days. Two towns had no survivors.
So, how can we prepare for blizzards? The items we need are emergency food, water, and other supplies. We should also stay inside during a blizzard. As a society, we need to strengthen weather forecasting, improve infrastructure, and make proper evacuation plans. Doing this would prepare us for blizzards.
Tsunami
Members: Kim, DaMi(Dami) / Kim, Seoi(Seoi) / Kim, JaeIn(Jane) / Park, YeRim(Grace) / Hong, JunA(Julie)
Tsunamis are caused by a large and sudden displacement of ocean water, usually the result of an earthquake below or near the ocean floor.
An example of a tsunami is the undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred to the east of Fukushima, Japan. It caused a massive Tsunami and a nuclear disaster. Primarily the meltdowns of three of its reactors which affected lots of residents.
The first step of this Tsunami was ‘activation’. It began on the ocean floor. The second step was ‘build’. The ocean floor began to crack as the Tsunami was building. The third step of this Tsunami was ‘formation’ and ‘approach’.
If you don’t want to experience this awful situation, you will have to prevent them by making plans. You can prevent them by preparing water, groceries, flashlights, radios, and more. Also, you can clean or fix things around houses. Let’s protect ourselves from this dangerous disaster.
Rose
Landslides
Members: Kwak, MinJae(Daniel) / Park, ChaeMan(Luke) / Shin, HyoJong(Roy) / Lee, JungMin(Jason) / Lee, JoonWon(Joon) / Joo, SungHa(Alex)
Landslides are caused by factors such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activities, and soil erosion. These increase the chances of a landslide occurring. Landslides have four stages. First, precipitation accumulates. Then, initial movement occurs as soil or rock shifts. Next, rapid movement leads to a sudden release of material. Finally, deposition occurs as the displaced material settles at the base, forming a landslide.
One famous historic landslide is the “Frank Slide,” which occurred in 1903 in Frank, Canada. This landslide resulted in the deaths of around 70 people.
There are some ways to be prepared for landslides. You can be ready by having drainage control, monitoring the mountain, and planting vegetation. You should stay informed when one happens. As a society, we can develop better policies and improve emergency responses. Watch out for landslides; your life could go downhill.
Sinkholes
Members: Kim, Yoon(Yoon) / Kim, YuJun(Lucas) / Kim, JiHong(Evan) / Lee, SeoHyung(Diego) / Jung, SiHyo(Sean) / Choi, GeonHui(Geonhui)
Sinkholes are disasters that are made both artificially and naturally. There are some sinkholes that are beautiful, as well as those that have become homes for fish. In Korea, there have been some dangerous sinkholes. Let’s learn more about sinkholes.
Firstly, sinkholes are made by calcium carbonate that forms in the hole when it is dissolved by rainwater or underground water. When carbon dioxide is dissolved, the upper state of the cavity is formed under the ground.
There have been many sinkholes all over the world. In February 2013, a man in Florida went missing because of a sinkhole. In Florence, Italy in 2016, a 200 meter sinkhole opened up in the Arno River bank. Also, in Korea, 169 sinkholes happened in the last seven years.
To prevent sinkholes, we need to pay attention to some features. For example, we need to make sure the road isn’t damaged. We also need to see if there is water when it isn’t raining.
Miss Emily Evacuates
Members: Kang, SeoHee(Celine) / Cho, HaEun(Charlotte) / Lee, AJin(Raina) / Yoon, JiAh(Jiah) / Gil, SiOn(Sion)
Volcanoes are very dangerous. Before the eruption, black ash comes out. Volcano eruptions are caused when magma builds up in the magma chamber. Magma forces its way up to the surface and erupts, often causing volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions cause deadly results such as lava flows and pyroclastic flows.
An example of a volcanic eruption is the eruption of Mount Pinatubo on June 12, 1991. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo was the second largest eruption in the twentieth century. A few hundred people died after this disaster.
Evacuating is an important way to survive, we must evacuate to a safe shelter. Being far away is the most important part about a volcano shelter. For the supplies, we need flashlights, first aid kits, and food and water.
These are about the volcanoes and preparing for the disaster. Let’s see how Miss Emily evacuates. First she listens to the prediction. She buys a disaster kit, then she finds her way to the shelter. Finally she evacuates!
Tsunami: Powerful Waves
Members: Kim, RoA(Roa) / Kim, JiWoo(Julie) / Kim, HaNi(Hani) / Baek, MinYeong(Elfleda) / Choi, JiAh(Gia)
Tsunamis can affect people almost everywhere in the world. When an earthquake strikes, it can generate a series of waves. There are four stages to a tsunami: initiation, split, amplification, and run up.
Tsunamis happen when a large earthquake occurs in a shallow area of the sea floor. One example of this was the Valdivia earthquake, where a tsunami of up to 25 meters high hit many countries in the Pacific Ocean. After the tsunami, 1,000 to 6,000 people died. The earthquake caused tsunamis as far away as Japan. As a result, many countries focused on education in order to be prepared for tsunamis.
What can we do to prepare for tsunamis? We can sign up for local emergency alerts, know evacuation routes, and identify safe locations. During a tsunami, you should evacuate immediately to higher ground and help others when possible. Let’s prepare for tsunamis in order to reduce the damage.
Orchid
Sinkholes
Members: Kang, MinJoon(June) / Kim, MinJae(Minjae) / Lee, JungWoo(Jungwoo) / Lee, AYin(Ayin) / Han, DongGyu(David) / Kang, HiHoo(Leon)
Do you know about sinkholes? A sinkhole is a closed natural depression in the ground surface caused by the removal of material below the ground, either by collapse or gradual layering of the surface in the resulting area. But these kinds of sinkholes can result in a catastrophe in public areas as well. So there are some remedies we should take when a sinkhole occurs.
First, if a sinkhole occurs in a public area we should evacuate immediately. Also try to raise the awareness of other members of the public and ensure that others do not enter the area surrounding the sinkhole. In order to prevent sinkholes, cover the bare ground with plants which can help stop sinkholes from happening.
The deepest sinkhole in history was located in Fengie County in China. Xiazhai Tiankens, which roughly translates to “The Heavenly Pit”, was the world’s deepest sinkhole. It sounds interesting but it is also dangerous. So we need many precautions for this disaster.
Hailstorm
Members: Na, GunHee(Gunhee) / Park, InJoong(Skylar) / Yoo, HaYul(Alex) / Lee, SeoJun(Luke) / Lee, Haejun(Andy) / Cha, YoonWoo(Ted)
There are numerous natural disasters that happen in the world. Each of them is lethal to humankind. Therefore, it is inevitable for us to know the safety rules. So, let’s learn about hailstorms.
Primarily, we should know about the formation of hailstorms. Usually, hail is formed when there is a thunderstorm. Water droplets from the thunderstorms are brought up by extremely strong updrafts. Since the temperature in the upper atmosphere is relatively lower than the lower part, water droplets freeze. Then, the droplet falls again as ice. Finally, it falls as hail. The form and size of the hailstorms depend on the amount of times they went through this process.
Furthermore, let’s learn about safety rules during hailstorms. When there is a hailstorm it is dangerous to go outside. Also, strong and heavy hailstones might strike windows and break them. Stay away from windows and reinforce them.
Hailstorms are not common but extremely dangerous. To keep ourselves safe, it is important for us to know the safety rules.
Wildfire
Members: Kim, GaIn(Inee) / Bae, JeongEun(Joy) / Shin, MinSeo(Rosa) / Jung, Ellie(Ellie) / Chung, ChaeYun(Kelsy) / Yoo, ChaeWon(Jennie)
Have you ever heard of the risk of wildfires? Wildfires burn uncontrollably in natural areas such as forests and grasslands.
Normal forest fires occur for many reasons. Lighting, volcanic eruptions, sparks caused by rock falls, and natural combustion all can cause wildfires.They can also be caused by people’s carelessness. In particular, people’s carelessness can threaten the lives of animals, plants, and other people. Because of this, public awareness has become more important.
Wildfires cause problems such as increased carbon dioxide, forest deforestation, and economic losses due to property damage.There are many ways that we can prevent major damage from forest fires.
First, we move railways and automobile roads away from wild forests. If there is a railway and automobile roads near forests it could cause crucial damage.
Second, there should be intensive management of wild vegetables and herbal harvesters. If we concentrate support for vegetables and harvesters they can prepare for natural disasters.
Lastly, special attention should be paid to areas vulnerable to wildfires. Special attention for those areas would help to lower the damage when wildfires affect areas vulnerable to wildfires.
With these three ways to prevent wildfires we can reduce the amount of wildfires.
Volcanic Eruptions
Members: Seo, JinJu(Pearl) / Song, MinHue(Ginger) / Ahn, SooBin(Connie) / Yang, SeungYoo(Sally) / Choi, YeJi(Yeji) / Hong, YeSeol(Bella)
Do you know about volcanic eruptions? Volcanic eruptions are the explosion of gasses, rock, and molten lava from within the Earth through a vent onto the Earth’s surface or into the atmosphere.
There are three main types of volcanic eruptions: magmatic eruptions, phreatic eruptions, and phreatomagmatic eruptions.
Which volcanic eruptions were the deadliest in history? The deadliest was in Krakatoa, Indonesia in 1883. Krakotoa’s volcanic eruption killed over 3,000 people. The second deadliest was in Tambona, Indonesia in 1815. These deadly volcanic eruptions killed lots of people and caused disastrous losses of property, especially in heavily populated areas.
Because of how deadly they are, we need to prepare for volcanic eruptions. Here are some items to prepare: flashlights, first aid kits, and emergency food and water. Even if you prepare you can’t be perfectly prepared for volcanic eruptions without following the emergency instructions.
Volcanic eruptions seem cool, but they are extremely dangerous and you should prepare for when they happen.
Avalanche
Sung, Jooho(Cornell) / Lee, DoYune(Robin) / Lee, DoHyeok(Paul) / Lee, YunJae(Yunjae) / Lim, KyuHyun(Aiden) / Jin, DongWhui(Alex)
An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope triggered by factors like heavy snowfall, temperature changes, and human activities. They can occur suddenly, making them extremely dangerous. The main types are slab avalanches, where a cohesive layer of snow breaks away, and loose snow avalanches, which start from a single point and gather more snow as they descend.
Avalanches can reach speeds up to 80 miles per hour (130 km) and can uproot trees, destroy buildings, and bury anything in their path.
Preventing avalanches involves monitoring snow conditions and using controlled explosions to trigger smaller avalanches. In avalanche-prone areas, warning systems and barriers are installed. Understanding avalanches is crucial for safety in snowy mountainous regions. Proper training and equipment, like avalanche beacons, and shovels, can increase survival chances. Always heed warnings and avoid risky areas. By taking these steps, you can remain safe.
Sinkholes
Kim, DongHyun(Daniel) / Kim, SooHyun(Sean) / Se, HyunSung(Patrick) / An, HyunJun(Harry) / Lee, ChanWoo(Jaden) / Choi, WooYeong(Tony)
Do you know about sinkholes? Sinkholes are natural disasters that happen when lowering ground water levels cause a loss of support for the soft material in the rock. These spaces can lead them to collapse, which forms a sinkhole.
The biggest sinkhole in history is the Qattara Depression in Egypt. It is in the Libyan Desert in Egypt. This massive sinkhole spans an area of about 19,605 square kilometers, making it one of the largest sinkholes in the world. Its depth reaches about 133 meters below sea level. It was formed by both wind erosion and groundwater dissolution.
In order to prevent sinkholes, you should reduce soil erosion and cover bare ground with plants, which help stop sinkholes from happening. Also, check your home and property for cracks in the exterior and interior walls, as well as cracks along the ground of your property. Knowing about sinkholes is an important part of preparing for them.
Volcanic Eruption
Rho, AhYoon(Elena) / Park, ChaeMin(Chaem) / Yoon, JiAn(Emily) / Cha, SuGyeom(Tiffany) / Choi, YeWon(Lucy)
There are lots of natural disasters happening on planet Earth. The most well known natural disasters are volcanic eruptions.
First, eruptions are caused when enough magma fills the chamber. It forces its way up to the surface and erupts. Volcanoes have several stages typically beginning with earthquakes, swarms, and gas emissions, then moving to the initial steam and ash. Secondary events can include floods, landslides, mudslides, and more.
Second, one of the famous eruptions is the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. It was the second largest eruption in the 20th century. Thanks to VDAP, about 20,000 lives were saved. The global temperature decreased about 15 degrees celsius, but lots of sulfur dioxide was spewed into the stratosphere.
Volcanic eruptions can happen anytime and anywhere, so we need to prepare in advance. The most important thing is to evacuate, how to get there, and where we will stay during the eruption. Know how to stay safe and you won’t be harmed during the disaster!
Frightening Disaster: Drought
Kim, NaYeon(Julia) / Kim, SeRin(Celine) / Kim, JeongYin(Emily) / Baek, YunYeong(Aleyda) / Uh, SeoYeon(Allison) / Jeon, GaYul(Ariel)
Droughts are very dangerous disasters, which can be deadly for a lot of people. Now, why do droughts happen? When there is less rain than normal for a long period, the ground becomes dry and droughts happen. When the annual precipitation reaches 95% of normal, it is considered a drought. When it is 50% of normal, it is a severe drought.
A drought happening now is in Somalia, Africa. It is the driest climate in the past 40 years. 27.6 million people are experiencing severe famine. In an interview, a Somali local called Abdulahiporah said, ‘This is the first time in my life that I have had such a severe drought.” Since it has not rained much, for 5 years, 6.2 million children are experiencing malnutrition.
There are ways to lessen the effects of droughts. First, we should cherish and save water by cutting down shower time. Second, we need to plant more trees and protect forests. Third, farmers must grow drought resistant crops. In conclusion, drought is a severe disaster and we should prevent it.