Reyna Rangel
ESSEA Galveston Hurricane
Step 1: Analyze scenario
Now that Hurricane Katrina has once again awakened us to the threat of extra strong hurricanes, your
group has been called upon to conduct an Earth system analysis of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane as a
case study in how to prepare for this increasingly dangerous threat from Mother Nature.
Step 2: Personal understandings/Ideas
-Hurricanes can cause a lot of physical damage, contaminate water etc.
-Galveston was unprepared
-Hurricanes are increasing in intensity
-Hurricanes seem to be stronger than ever
-More than 6,000 people lost their lives.
-A lot of destruction was left
Step 3: What is known?
Galveston Hurricane
E>A affects the surface, it can cause a drop in the surface pressure
E>H causes flooding,
E>B affects environment, the lives of the people, brings heavy rain and flooding, diseases,
contaminated water.
E>L causes pollution, high winds can result in erosion in beaches, lakes etc, debris.
Sphere> Event Interactions
How could each sphere affect the event?
A>E
H>E: brings droughts, hurricanes
B>E:
L>E: hurricane weakens once it passes over land.
How could each sphere affect the other spheres?
A<->H: has an impact on global temperatures. Making hurricanes more intense.
A<->B: The interaction between these spheres affect humans, animals and all living organisms.
A<->L:
H<->B: brings higher ocean temperatures resulting in stronger hurricanes, will cause sea levels to rise
H<->L: affect the climate and weather can result in droughts and affect vegetables, plants and other
food resources.
B<->L: causes shift in the crust resulting in earthquakes. It can also affect infrastructure of building,
streets etc.
Step 4: List what is not known?
It is not known what causes hurricanes or what has been making hurricanes more intense and stronger. I
think a lot has to do with global warming. What was the amount of rainfall?
Step 5: What needs to be done?
We need to prepare. Prepare for the worst and plan ahead. There should also be better infrastructure.
Cities should practice more for a hurricane. Alert system should be in effect before a hurricane hits.
Incorporate technology more into the tracking of hurricanes. Some cities are not up to date. Since
hurricanes hardly strike in some cities they are not up to date and are not prepared.
Step 6: Problem Statement: What measures can we take to prepare for hurricanes?
Step 7: Gather information
Step 8: Present findings