LASA 2 Monitoring Our Home Planet The Internet Is Power ✓ Solved

LASA 2 Monitoring Our Home Planetthe Internet Is A Powe

Assignment 1: LASA 2: Monitoring Our Home Planet The Internet is a powerful tool that provides the ability to monitor natural phenomena and disasters that happen all over planet Earth. In this assignment, you will research resources available on the Internet for monitoring natural phenomena including earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, global climate, and weather. Based on your research, do the following: Identify a minimum of three different natural phenomena that are typically responsible for natural disasters. Analyze the potential impact of these disasters. Analyze how these phenomenon are monitored, or not, via the Internet.

Critique available Web sites, which publicly display up-to-date monitored information related to each of the natural phenomena you have identified. Focus on the following aspects: Geography What parts of the world are potentially affected by these phenomena? Specifically identify the countries. Resources What kinds of resources are allocated toward monitoring these phenomena and why? What types of Web resources monitor the phenomena and provide up-to-date information about them?

What kinds of technology are involved in monitoring the phenomena? Politics What political ramifications would this disaster-preparedness technology cause between more-developed countries and less-developed countries? What kinds of issues could this technology cause between less-developed countries? Economics How would this technology directly impact the economies of those countries that have the technology versus those countries that do not? Do you predict any indirect impacts?

What current evidence supports your position? Disaster Preparedness What types of systems are in place in terms of disaster preparedness related to these monitored phenomena? Summarize your findings. Evaluate how this technology will impact the future of humanity, both positively and negatively. Be sure to consider the political and economic issues discussed in your future predictions.

Support your statements with examples. Use a minimum of six reliable references, two of which should be peer-reviewed articles. Write a 7–8-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A1.doc

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Monitoring natural phenomena through the internet has revolutionized disaster management and preparedness worldwide. This paper investigates three primary natural disasters—earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions—examining their potential impacts, monitoring mechanisms, and the geopolitical, economic, and technological implications involved. By analyzing publicly accessible online resources, this study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of current monitoring systems and their future role in safeguarding human populations.

Introduction

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions pose significant threats to human life, infrastructure, and the environment. The advent of the internet has facilitated the real-time monitoring of these phenomena, enabling quicker response times and more accurate dissemination of warnings. However, disparities in monitoring capabilities and political and economic factors influence the effectiveness of disaster preparedness strategies globally. This paper explores these aspects by analyzing the geographic distribution of risk, the resources dedicated to monitoring, the technologies involved, and the political and economic repercussions that arise from reliance on internet-based monitoring systems.

Natural Phenomena Responsible for Disasters and Their Impact

Earthquakes occur due to the sudden release of energy along fault lines and are responsible for devastating impacts in regions such as the Pacific Ring of Fire, including countries like Japan, Indonesia, and the United States. Tsunamis often follow seismic events, particularly in oceanic regions bordering earthquake-prone zones, severely affecting coastal populations in countries like Japan, Thailand, and Chile. Volcanic eruptions, common in regions such as the Pacific Ring of Fire and the African Rift Valley, can cause widespread destruction through ashfall, lava flows, and subsequent ash clouds disrupting air travel, agriculture, and health.

The potential impacts of these disasters include loss of life, economic disruption, environmental degradation, and displacement of populations. For instance, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami that resulted in over 15,000 deaths and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, illustrating the profound consequences of seismic activity (Murphy et al., 2012).

Monitoring Natural Phenomena via the Internet

Internet technology has enabled the development of sophisticated monitoring systems. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides real-time earthquake data globally through its Earthquake Hazards Program website, offering detailed maps, seismic activity updates, and risk assessments (USGS, 2023). Similarly, the Global Volcanism Program by the Smithsonian Institution provides online updates on volcanic activity worldwide, including eruption alerts and detailed reports (Smithsonian Institution, 2023). Tsunami warning systems like the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center utilize satellite data, seismic readings, and ocean buoys to monitor and alert populations hours before the waves reach coastlines (NOAA, 2023).

Technologically, these systems incorporate seismometers, satellite imaging, GPS technology, and ocean buoys equipped with pressure sensors, all transmitting data via satellite and broadband networks to centralized command centers. This integration of hardware and software enables rapid data analysis, real-time alerts, and improved disaster preparedness.

Geographical and Resource Analysis

The geographic distribution of these natural phenomena aligns closely with tectonic plate boundaries, notably the Pacific Ring of Fire, which encircles the Pacific Ocean across multiple countries including the United States, Japan, Indonesia, and Chile. The monitoring infrastructure is concentrated predominantly in developed nations, such as the United States, Japan, and European countries, which allocate substantial resources to maintain advanced monitoring systems.

Developing nations often lack sufficient technological infrastructure and funding, limiting their ability to monitor and respond effectively. However, international collaborations, such as those led by the United Nations and intergovernmental organizations, aim to bridge this gap by providing technological aid, training, and data-sharing platforms (UNDRR, 2022).

Politic and Economic Ramifications

The deployment of disaster monitoring technology has geopolitical implications. Developed countries with advanced systems may exert influence by sharing data and resources, thus strengthening diplomatic ties. Conversely, less-developed countries may perceive these systems as tools of leverage or as a form of technological dependency (Chen et al., 2018).

Economically, nations with sophisticated monitoring infrastructure can mitigate disaster impacts more effectively, preserving economic stability. In contrast, countries lacking such systems face higher economic costs resultant from infrastructure damage, health crises, and displacement. Indirectly, the disparity in monitoring capabilities can exacerbate global inequalities, influencing international aid and disaster response priorities.

Disaster Preparedness Systems

Numerous systems are in place globally, including early warning systems, emergency communication networks, and community-based preparedness programs. For example, Japan’s Advanced Network for Earthquake, Tsunami, and Volcano Monitoring integrates sensor networks for rapid data collection, thereby supporting timely evacuations (Yamamoto et al., 2019). The effectiveness of these systems depends on technological sophistication, public awareness, and infrastructural resilience.

Looking ahead, ongoing developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning are poised to enhance predictive capabilities, enabling even more precise early warnings. However, challenges persist in ensuring equitable access, maintaining infrastructure, and fostering international cooperation.

Future Impact of Monitoring Technology on Humanity

The continued evolution of internet-based monitoring technologies promises significant benefits, including reduced loss of life, minimized infrastructure damage, and more coordinated international disaster response efforts. These advances support sustainable development goals, particularly in vulnerable regions (UNDP, 2020). However, reliance on these systems could foster complacency or overconfidence, potentially neglecting community-based preparedness and resilience.

Politically, the sharing of monitoring data fosters international collaboration but may also lead to geopolitical tensions if access is restricted or manipulated. Economically, countries with advanced systems gain competitive advantages, while poorer nations risk marginalization. Addressing these disparities requires deliberate policies fostering technology transfer, capacity-building, and equitable access.

In conclusion, internet-enabled monitoring systems are transforming disaster preparedness and response. While they offer considerable advantages, challenges remain in ensuring equitable development, safeguarding against geopolitical tensions, and maintaining technological resilience.

References

• Chen, L., Wang, J., & Liu, H. (2018). Geopolitical implications of disaster monitoring technology. Journal of International Relations, 32(4), 45-62.
• Murphy, C., Kanda, M., & Sato, T. (2012). The impact of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on Japan: Lessons and future strategies. Earthquake Spectra, 28(3), 1035-1055.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2023). Tsunami Warning Systems. https://www.tsunami.gov
• Smithsonian Institution. (2023). Global Volcanism Program. https://volcano.si.edu
• United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). (2022). Global efforts in disaster risk reduction. https://www.undrr.org
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2020). Building resilient communities through technology. https://www.undp.org
• United States Geological Survey (USGS). (2023). Earthquake Hazards Program. https://earthquake.usgs.gov
• Yamamoto, S., Tanaka, M., & Suzuki, T. (2019). Advances in earthquake early warning systems in Japan. Geoscience Frontiers, 10(4), 1263-1272.
• Smithsonian Institution. (2023). Volcanoes of the World. https://volcano.si.edu
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (2021). Satellite technology in disaster monitoring. https://www.nasa.gov