Natural Disaster Assignment
Tsunamis
What is a Tsunami?
A tsunami is a series of large waves that strike coastal areas, they are caused by submarine earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and meteor impacts, they occur with little warning in the ocean and in lakes, and result in damage and flooding.
When was the most recent Tsunami in Canada?
The most recent tsunami in Canada was in British Columbia on March 27, 1964. It flooded basements in Hot Springs Cove and Bamfield. It then traveled up Alberni Inlet and flooded Port Alberni. It was 4.3 meters tall and traveled at 700kmph. This is just under 200m per second, which is like travelling the length of a football field every HALF SECOND. It was caused by an earthquake off of Anchorage, Alaska which measured an 8.5 on the Richter scale, the strongest North American earthquake of the century.
Where is Canada at risk of Tsunamis?
Obviously, the only cities that would be at risk of a tsunami would be the ones by the coast. We are not going to see a tsunami hit a province such as Saskatchewan because it is surrounded by land. The provinces that are most at risk are Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and British Columbia, because they all have had tsunamis in the past.
Are there any risks of Tsunamis in Canada?
The thing that has many people worrying is that many experts are predicting a large tsunami that will hit the coast of BC. Though experts are still determining the size, time, and speed at which it will arrive, lifeguards are being warned to watch out for an oncoming tsunami.
The League of Super Heros
The National Geography and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The NOAA uses seismometers to detect earthquakes in the ocean. They also use things like Sea Level gauges and Deep Ocean Assessment and Report of Tsunamis (DART) buoy stations. The NOAA is the main group who helps with planning and preparing communities for the disaster. They predict the location and warn cities that may be affected by an upcoming tsunami. There “Dart” buoys help them figure out where they need to warn, and their 24 warning centers alert the people in danger around the clock. They also have an information filled website that helps to tell people what to do in the event of a tsunami.
The Government and Military
Unfortunately, there is no career that can reduce/minimize the impact of a tsunami. There is no way to stop a tsunami. Cities and Towns near coastal areas or who have a history with tsunamis usually try to make the buildings as “Tsunami proof” as possible by reinforcing them. The government may help by transporting sand bags to prevent flooding in certain areas, but overall, there is no way of controlling the impact of a tsunami. The military is also a big helper in the case of tsunamis. They bring supplies to help the people affected by the tsunami. They send boats and helicopters to rescue stranded people, and rescue as many people as they can.
The Community
Tsunamis come at unexpected times, so people help each other. People come together and try to help their community in times of need. It doesn’t make a difference whether someone is wearing a military uniform, a firefighter suit, or a paramedic’s badge, sometimes the people who help most are the people in the community helping each other.
Conclusion
Tsunamis are one of the most devastating natural disasters. They strike fast, strong, and unexpected. Though Canada has not recently experienced a life threatening tsunami, we should always be prepared for whatever may come our way.
Works Cited
http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/book/export/html/425
http://www.trailcanada.com/provinces/
http://www.discoveryislands.ca/visitor_info/gethere.html
http://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia/photogallery.cfm?pagenum=1&viewphoto=171
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SuperHero
http://mhealthwatch.com/superhero-development-team-creates-an-app-for-teens-battling-cancer-18819/
http://www.idrawproart.com/comic6.html
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-super-hero-image8763900