The topic is \"impact of 2017 earthquakes in Mexico 1. Select a topic or provide

Question

The topic is "impact of 2017 earthquakes in Mexico 1. Select a topic or provide a topic of your own related to protection to natural resources 2. Articulate what you think, question yourself about ways of prevention, but provide evidence of your research 3. Evaluate myths regarding your topic, and support any valuable findings to discredit misconceptions 4. Define sustainable living, and apply the concept to your selected topic 5. Identify major environmental problems related to your topic and possible solutions 6. What behavioral changes can you propose regarding your topic of interest? 7. Bring fresh ideas, and if this is related to authorities' decisions, provide avenues to reach our goals of protection of natural resources for future generations

Explanation / Answer

Mexico had a harrowing Earthquake season this year. Three major earthquakes completely rocked Mexico’s normal life. The Chiapas earthquake of 9/7, The Morelos quake of 9/19 and the Oxaca earthquake of 9/23 were the major ones. All these occurred in the month of September. Out of these, the Chiapas was higher in Magnitude (8.1 on Richter scale) However, the Morelos was the most devastating as it took 385 lives.

2. Ways of prevention

Earthquakes cannot be prevented. To control the mechanisms through which it happens is beyond common person’s outreach. The scale of these processes is much larger for humans to handle. But we can try to predict the event as well as give early warnings. Prediction is based on recording ground activity through seismic instruments. It is generally observed that a major earthquake is heralded by pre-shocks of lower magnitude. They are Harbingers of a higher magnitude event. Other techniques involve measuring of iridium gas release from the faults. This may not be appropriate for Mexico as the fault activity is mainly located offshore and placing instruments under such settings is difficult. Some Greek Physicists have also tried to predict earthquakes by measuring Magnetic anomalies that are recorded just prior to an earthquake. Early warning system however is more reliable. It gives a window of 1-2 minutes for people to rescue themselves before the Ground waves of earthquakes create havoc and destruction.

3. Myths regarding my findings

Many Myths surround the Occurrence and destruction caused by Earthquakes. Many believe that is the action of god. They think that it is the payment asked by God for peoples’ sins. Or Reparation asked by god etc. Some also think that it is the reaction By Earth from the damage caused to it by Humans. In actuality Occurrence of earthquake is an established science. It is caused by movements of lithological blocks along a fault. These movements are related to building up and release of stresses accumulated by rocks since ages.

4. Sustainable living and Earthquakes

Earthquakes teach us to live a sustainable life. Regions prone to earthquake cannot have buildings that are made of substandard material. The design is in such a manner that the Buildings absorb and withstand the maximum onslaught of Ground waves. It is a reminder to us that excessive harnessing of resources like building Artificial reservoirs, Fracking, Excessive Groundwater exploration are triggers for rejuvenating dormant faults. Sustainability in extraction of resources is key to reduce the frequency of atleast human0induced earthquakes.

5. Environmental problems related to Earth quakes

There are also Several environmental impacts caused by an earthquake. A tsunami, for instance, is produced by an earthquake. They create a lot of destruction around the coastal area. The Chiapas earthquake created a 3 m Tsunami that took 81 lives this year. The destruction to the environment it created was huge. It rendered surface water resources around the coast non-potable and saline. It destroyed several trees. Besides, Earthquakes can cause landslides. It is dangerous especially for those who reside on Hill slopes. Earthquakes also cause liquefaction of soil. The Mexico city earthquake this year witnessed this event. In liquefaction, the soil particles vibrate in the same frequency so much so that they start behaving as a liquid. This weakens the foundation of buildings and trees and hence causes widespread destruction.

7. Behaviour changes required

Earthquakes can have great impacts on behavior of people. Many reconsider their ways of life especially after their everything gets destroyed. The Morelos earthquake made many people homeless. However, this is such an event that behavior changes are required only to stop the Anthropogenic reasons for creating earthquakes. This entails stopping overuse of resources and hence indirectly stop reservoir induced seismicity or hydroseismicty.

8. Avenues for protection of natural resources

Protection of Natural resources from earthquakes can be done by planning of earthquake prone regions. Zonal Atlas based on the magnitude of recorded earthquakes is a first step in that direction. This enables planners to protect sources of water from getting saline or draining. It ensures that landslides donot destroy trees.

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