Energy Assignment Part 3

#3 Tidal Power

I ranked tidal power at #3 because I see no potential in it being implemented into the UAE. The UAE's economy relies heavily on crude oil so I just don't see them going in that direction. Tidal power relies a lot on location as well, and the location of the UAE does not correspond to work well with tidal power.

#2 Solar Energy

I ranked solar energy at #2 because potential in it being put into place is evident. The UAE plans to implement cleaner, more renewable forms of energy. They plan to start producing power from clean coal and solar energy by 2020.

#3 Nuclear Energy

I ranked nuclear energy at #1 because the UAE government is already working on it. The UAE plans to install nuclear power plants to meet its energy needs. It has signed an agreement with the U.S. on nuclear cooperation, and is also a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Energy Assignment Part 2

The UAE uses natural gas as a main fuel for power generation since they are a large oil exporter. They use the majority of their natural gas reserves to produce crude oil since that is the main source of income to their economy. Despite the income, the UAE's use of natural gas definetly takes its toll on the environment. The UAE was the 4th top carbon dioxide emitter per capita in the world in 2012. Despite being a large oil exporter, the UAE plans to install nuclear power plants to meet its energy needs. It has signed an agreement with the U.S. on nuclear cooperation, and is also a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. The UAE plans to start producing power from clean coal and solar energy by 2020 and from nuclear plants by 2030. 

Energy Assignment Part 1

Nuclear Energy

Pros: Lower carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, low operating costs, large power-generating capacity and nuclear waste can be reduced through waste recycling and reprocessing.

Cons: High construction costs, high-known risks in an accident, unknown risks, long construction time and nuclear energy is a target for terrorist organizations.

Tidal Power

Pros: Renewable (requires no fuel), emission-free, reliable (a plant can last 1000 years), high efficiency and environment impacts are local, not global. 

Cons: Expensive to build, very location specific, locations are remote, captures dirt, waste and pollution near the coast and tidal power impacts fish, marine mammals and birds. 

Solar Energy

Pros: Renewable, abundant, sustainable, environment friendly and it reduces electricity costs.

Cons: Expensive, requires space, intermittent, associated with pollution and solar energy requires exotic materials that are expensive and rare in nature.

Earthquake in Vancouver

Based off the geology of where Vancouver is, it is understandable why Vancouver is at such a high risk for an earthquake. There are plates that are subducting below us as we speak. Subduction occurs along the Cascadia subduction zone. This is the second largest tectonically active fault system in North America. The subduction zone has ruptured several times over history, causing great earthquakes. Much of the force that leads the oceanic plates to subduct beneath the North American plate is generated by a ridge system. The largest ridge in Vancouver is the Juan de Fuca ridge. Grinding of the plates as it moves along the aforementioned faults generates stress. Plate interaction along any of the convergent, divergent, or transform faults may cause the buildup of stress which will lead to an earthquake. With the evidence of past earthquakes we know a major one will occur in the area along the Cascadia subduction zone at any time. Vancouver has an increased risk of disastrous megathrust earthquakes, the region is surrounded by the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean making it isolated and vulnerable during a large earthquake.

A)

I) Liquefaction: Is a phenomenon in which the strength and stiffness of soil is reduced by earthquake shaking. This is a hazard because when it occurs, the strength of the soil decreases and the ability of soil deposit to support foundations for buildings and bridges is reduced. It can be responsible for a tremendous amount of damage and a hazard for many lives.

II) 

Landslides: Is the movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope. They result from the failure of the materials which make up the hill slope and are driven by the force of gravity. Sudden and rapid  events are most dangerous because of the lack of warning and the speed at which material can travel down the slope, also the force on the resulting impact. Extremely slow landslides may not be a threat to people but it can cause considerable damage to property. There are many resources that could be ruined, for example water supplies, fisheries, and roads. Landslides can cause massive destruction which will impact the economy as for all of the repair.

III) Tsunami: Are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea. A the waves travel inland, they build up to higher and higher heights as he depth of the ocean decreases. The speed of tsunmai waves depends on ocean depth rather than distance from the source of the wave. In some cases they can result in floods reaching up to 100 feet in height. They can cause a lot of property damage, environmental damage and leaving many lives at risk.

IV) 

Flooding: Is a natural event where an area that is dry land, suddenly gets submerged under water, Floods that happen in areas where people live in, the water carries along the objects such as houses, bridges, cars, furniture, and even people. It can wipe away farms and trees as well.

B)

I) Social Impacts

Earthquake hazards pose serious intermediate term risk to health and safety and economic viability. They demonstrate risks to industrial societies from the event, affecting everything from massive loss of life, infrastructure damage and financial instability. Earthquakes can have short term and long term impacts. Short terms would include people being injured, destroyed homes, disruption to transportation and communication. Long term impacts would include a disease being spread and peopling having to re-house.

II) Economic Impacts

Earthquakes can result in massive destruction of roads, bridges, farms, houses, automobiles and people become homeless. The government deploys fireman, police and other emergency apparatuses to help the affected. Everything comes at a heavy cost to the people and the government. It takes years for affected communities to be re-built and businesses to come back to normal.

III) Impacts on Infrastructure 

Earthquakes can effect availability of many services and elements of infrastructure. The large and violent movement of the ground caused by an earthquake will disrupt many services. Electric line poles are vulnerable to damage. No electricity results in no light, heat and no water. Land-line phones will not have service as the towers may be damaged. Natural gas pipelines could also be broken. Almost all stores rely on supplies being brought by trucks, so supply lines will be impacted. Local airports and train facilities can also be damaged. Bridges, buildings, and hospitals can be destroyed or damaged causing a great effect.

4) 

Communities in Metro Vancouver are preparing for the impending earthquake by making a significant investment to assess earthquake risk, upgrade infrastructure and develop emergency plans. The city has developed the Earthquake Preparedness Strategy to reduce the impact of an earthquake in Vancouver. The strategies fall under four categories; earthquake risk assessment, earthquake risk reduction, earthquake preparedness and earthquake response and recovery. Families have made small changes in there homes for their safety as well. For example storing food and water, having an identified family meeting location, have an emergency prepared plan and kit, buying self powered radios and flashlights, hanging pictures and home decor away from where people may sit, and by simply placing heavy objects on lower shelves.

Aquaculture

1) Aquaculture - farming of aquatic organism such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants.

2) Social

Pros: Aquaculture can create jobs within the community, can increase scientific knowledge and technology and can help feed a growing population.

Cons: Aquaculture can create conflict with other users of bodies of water such as fishermen, can threaten the livelihood of fishermen and can amplify and transfer diseases or parasites.

Environmental

Pros: Aquaculture can place more emphasis on protecting coastal waters from pollution and it may reduce fishing pressure on certain wild stocks.

Cons: Aquaculture can amplify and transfer disease and parasites to wild fish populations, can polute water systems with excess nutrients, and can compromise the aesthetic beauty of the coastline. 

Economical

Pros: Aquaculture can increase revenue on city, state and national level, can reduce seafood trade deficit and can encourage local trade. 

Cons: There aren't any significant economical cons associated with aquaculture.

3) In my opinion, aquaculture is a bad thing. Yes it can create huge amounts on profit but people fail to look at the negative impacts that come along with Aquaculture. It has a huge negative impact on the biosphere. It destroys the habitats of aquatic organisms and it also pollutes the water. It also has negative impacts on humans as is threatens the livelihood of fishermen. This has led aquaculture to create a huge conflict between them and fishermen. The way I see it, the only positive impact that comes along with aquaculture is its economical impacts. Although, I don't think the huge profit is worth destroying habitats and polluting the water for.

Earthquake in your Country

1) A massive earthquake hit Iran with tremors felt in the UAE on April 16, 2013.

2) The earthquake occurred at an intermediate depth in the Arabian Plate lithosphere at a depth of about 80 km.

3) The earthquake occurred within the subducting Arabian Plate below the overriding Eurasian Plate. 

4) The earthquake measured 7.7 on the Richter Scale.

5) The earthquake killed 35 people and left another 117 injured. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Iran within the last 40 years. The town of Mashkel was the closest to the earthquake's epicentre. Around 85% of the cities buildings and roads were demolished. 

Plate Tectonics in Your Country

1) The UAE is located on the Arabian Plate.

2) The Arabian Plate has been moving northward for millions of years converging with the Eurasian Plate.

3) As a result of converging with the Eurasian Plate, mountain ranges have been formed that extend west from the Pyrenees to the Himalayas and ranges of Southeast Asia. 

4) Due to the fact the Arabian Plate and Eurasia plate collide, many cities are in danger such as those in south eastern Turkey. These dangers include earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes.

5) I was not able to find any information on folds and faults within the UAE.