Geological Hazards

A geologic hazard is one of several types of adverse geologic conditions capable of causing damage or loss of property and life. These hazards consist of sudden phenomena and slow phenomena:

• avalanches (snow, rock, or air & snow) and its runout
• earthquakes and earthquake-triggered phenomena such as tsunamis
• forest fires (espec. in Mediterranean areas) leading to deforestation
• geomagnetic storms^[1]
• ice jams (Eisstoß)on rivers or glacial lake outburst floods below a glacier
• landslide (lateral displacement of earth materials on a slope or hillside)
• mudflows (avalanche-like muddy flow of soft/wet soil and sediment materials, narrow landslides)
• pyroclastic flows
• rock falls, rock slides, (rock avalanche) and debris flows
• torrents (flash floods, rapid floods or heavy current creeks with irregular course)
• volcanic eruptions, lahars and ash falls.

Here are some phenomenon like:

Avalanche- An avalanche (also called a snowslide or snowslip) is a rapid flow of snow down a slope. Avalanches are typically triggered in a starting zone from a mechanical failure in the snowpack (slab avalanche) when the forces on the snow exceed its strength but sometimes only with gradually widening (loose snow avalanche). After initiation, avalanches usually accelerate rapidly and grow in mass and volume as they entrain more snow. If the avalanche moves fast enough some of the snow may mix with the air forming a powder snow avalanche, which is a type of gravity current.

An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Theseismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time

At the Earth's surface, earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and sometimes displacement of the ground. When the epicenter of a large earthquake is located offshore, the seabed may be displaced sufficiently to cause a tsunami. Earthquakes can also trigger landslides, and occasionally volcanic activity.

Tropical Depression

A tropical cyclone is a rapidly-rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. Tropical cyclones typically form over large bodies of relatively warm water. They derive their energy from the evaporation of water from theocean surface, which ultimately recondenses into clouds and rain when moist air rises and cools to saturation. This energy source differs from that of mid-latitude cyclonic storms, such as nor'easters and European windstorms, which are fueled primarily by horizontal temperature contrasts. The strong rotating winds of a tropical cyclone are a result of the (partial) conservation of angular momentum imparted by the Earth's rotation as air flows inwards toward the axis of rotation. As a result, they rarely form within 2° of the equator.Tropical cyclones are typically between 100 and 4,000 km (62 and 2,500 mi) in diameter.

The term "tropical" refers to the geographical origin of these systems, which usually form over the tropical oceans. The term "cyclone" refers to their cyclonic nature, with wind blowing counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The opposite direction of circulation is due to the Coriolis force. Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by names such as hurricane, tropical depression, and simply cyclone.

In addition to strong winds and rain, tropical cyclones are capable of generating high waves, damaging storm surge, and tornadoes. They typically weaken rapidly over land where they are cut off from their primary energy source. For this reason, coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to damage from a tropical cyclone as compared to inland regions. Heavy rains, however, can cause significant flooding inland, and storm surges can produce extensive coastal flooding up to 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the coastline. Though their effects on human populations are often devastating, tropical cyclones can relieve drought conditions. They also carry heat energy away from the tropics and transport it toward temperate latitudes, which may play an important role in modulating regional and global climate.

Intertropical Convergence Zone

What is ITCZ?

The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, or ITCZ, is a belt of low pressure which circles the Earth near the equator where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres come together. It is characterised by convective activity which generates often vigorous thunderstorms over large areas. It is most active over continental land masses by day and relatively less active over the oceans.

The position of the ITCZ varies with the seasons. In July, over the Atlantic and Pacific, the ITCZ is between 5 and 15 degrees north of the Equator, but further north over the land masses of Africa and Asia. In January, over the Atlantic, the ITCZ sits no further south than the Equator, but extends much further south over South America, Southern Africa, and towards Australia. Over land, the ITCZ tends to follow the sun's zenith point.

Where the trade winds are weak, the ITCZ is characterised by isolated Cumulus (Cu) and Cumulonimbus (Cb) cells. However, where the trade winds are stronger, the ITCZ can be a solid line of active Cb cells embedded with other cloud types developing as a result of instability at higher levels. Cb tops can reach and sometimes exceed an altitude of 55,000 feet, and the ITCZ can be as wide as 300 nautical miles in places presenting a formidable obstacle to aircraft transit.

Aircraft flying through the ITCZ will encounter all the hazards associated with Cb clouds such as icing, turbulence, lightning, and wind shear. However, it is in this zone that the most severe effects may often be encountered. In particular, it is within the ITCZ that convective breakthroughs of the tropopause often occur, with the majority occurring over land especially in the second half of each day. Convective penetration of the tropopause is less common over oceanic areas where the phenomenon is more likely to occur in the early hours of each day, generating more isolated cells. Research sponsored by NASA has shown that 1% of tropical deep convective activity exceeds 46,000 ft altitude, with a small proportion of this reaching much greater heights. For further information on the potential hazards of transit through or near Cb cloud, see the article Cumulonimbus.

Low Carbon Diet ( June 25- July 1)

Low Carbon Diet ( June 25- July 1)

Oh what a week! It’s so busy, very busy! In fact there is exchange of weather this week thus; we just had our Election for the clubs last week and again, I used my bike for transportation w/c is great!

Rainy days start up the week. And it was also ended up by a rain. During these days, again, I wasn't able to use the electric fan due to the cold atmosphere. That helped me a lot! 'cause in our room the extreme temperature is almost killing me! For Pete sake!

Also, I feel very thirsty. To relieve it I bought mineral water. And I consumed two-four of it. To help our environment, I didn't throw it anywhere just like what others do, I did that not just to save our Earth but also to be a model to other students.

The extreme heat of the sun plus the big amount of students cooked us like a big bowl of sardines.
That’s unpredictable because PAG-ASA (Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) told that La Niña started. It’s quite confusing. I guess that is the effect of the Global Warming. 

So disappointing, how people destroy God’s creation. I or should I say us must make a change. Suppose that is our gratitude to God. 

And in my simplest way, I think I show enough how I value and care for our planet.
Just remember Everything counts! So make yourself useful and be wise all the time!

And that's all folks! 

Low Carbon Diet Journal (18-24)

Low Carbon Diet Journal (18-24)

"May hanging pa kayang matitikman? May mga puno pa kaya silang aakyatin? May mga ilog pa kayang lalanguyin?"

Teachers are starting to give us assignments or should I say many assignments that make us very tired.  Many lectures, performances, outputs and tests were required by our teachers. But in-spite of that, I still don’t forget Mother Earth. I still practice to do eco – friendly things.

   In doing my outputs, I manage not to waste anything. I separate those that I can use for other outputs from those that I will not be able to use. I kept the stuffs needed for future use and throw those that cannot be use anymore. Despite all those things, I still care about our Earth! Hooray!

In terms of transportation, I use my bike to exercise and to less the emission of Motor Vehicles such as gasoline evaporation; carbon monoxide etc. also, at discussions I turn off my cellphone to decrease the chances of Mobile Radiation.  

At night, before sleeping, I brush my teeth and use glass to avoid water spillage thus, I also turn off unnecessary things. Phew! What a week! Great!

I have told a lot, I guess I contributed so much this week. Oh well until my next LCD!  

Low Carbon Diet Journal (June 10-17)

Low Carbon Diet Journal (June 10-17)

It's so hot, it's raining, it's too hot, it's raining, the weather this week is so confusing. Sometimes it's hard to determine the exact weather for a day.


We experience this phenomenon because of what we called "Climate Change". I can feel high temperature this week, therefore, I drank water more than 8 glasses a day to quench my thirst. When I'm at school, I re-use plastic bottles to lessen the amount of plastic bottles that are thrown each day and just burn.


Also, I experience heavy amounts of rainfall and some thunderstorms, I turn off some appliances like TV and Radio when not in use, because it is said to be magnetic/near to lightnings, La Nina is coming yet the summer isn't over, the irregular weather make's me think what can be the Earth looks like in the future. As I was saying, I also maintain the cleanliness of our house when I'm bored and have nothing to do when Raining I help to do household chores.

And these are the things I've done for mother earth last week, I hope I can inspire more people to do this things to help mother nature and also ourselves to make our environment more healthy to live in. And that's all for this week!

Energy Conservation Measures

Energy Conservation Measures

Increasing energy-efficiency should be an integral part of every PHA's operations and capital improvement-planning process. Energy-conservation improvements significantly reduce energy costs while providing additional benefits:

Under the three year rolling base, a PHA retains 150% of the value of the first year of energy cost savings.

If a PHA uses an energy performance contract, it can borrow non-HUD funding and keep 100 percent of the cost savings from energy-efficiency improvements, after loan payments, for the life of the loan.

Energy-conservation improvements can help ease capital improvement needs.

Energy conservation improvements can advance housing from a health, safety, and comfort point of view.

Energy conservation helps protect the environment.

Learn more about Incentives and Funding to finance ECMs.

Specific Energy Conservation Measures:

These ECMs can prove cost-effective for public housing authorities.

Building Envelope

B1. Install Storm Windows

B2. Install Replacement Windows

B3. Install Window Sun Shades

B4. Install Storm Doors

B5. Install/Increase Attic Insulation

B6. Install Roof Insulation

B7. Install Wall Insulation

B8. Control Air Leakage

Space Heating and Cooling

H1. Install Vent Dampers

H2. Convert to Electronic Ignition

H3. Install Boiler Controls

H4. Replace Inefficient Heating Plant

H5. Install Programmable Thermostats

H6. Install Radiator Controls

H7. Insulate Hot Water or Steam Pipes

H8. Convert Steam Heating to Hot Water Distribution

H9. Seal and Insulate Ducts

H10. Install Geothermal Heat Pumps

H11. Install Swamp Coolers

Domestic Water-Heating Systems

W1. Install Water-Efficient Showerheads and Faucet Aerators

W2. Insulate Hot Water Tanks

W3. Install Hot Water Off-Peak Controls

W4. Convert Laundry to Cold Rinse

W5. Replace Inefficient Water Heaters

W6. Install Summertime Water Heaters

W7. Convert Water Heater System to Solar

Lighting

L1. Replace Incandescent Lighting with Compact Fluorescent Lamps in Dwelling Units

L2. Replace Incandescent Lighting with Fluorescent Lighting in Common Areas

L3. Replace Standard Fluorescent Lamps with Energy-Saving Lamps and Install Electronic Ballasts in Common Areas

L4. Install Lighting Controls in Common Areas

L5. Convert Exterior Lighting Fixtures

L6. Install Photo-Controls for Exterior Lighting

Miscellaneous ECMs

M1. Replace Older Refrigerators with High-Efficiency Units

M2. Install Energy- and Water-Efficient Washers and Dryers

M3. Convert Water Supply Pumps

M4. Install Checkmetering or Individual Metering

M5. Install Water-Saving Toilets

(C) www.portal.hud.gov