Victoria Lopez
EDTC 6341.61
Module 2: Cycle A
Galveston Hurricane of 1900
1. Read and analyze the dust storm 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.
2. List personal understandings, ideas, or hunches?
Hurricanes are rated in categories. Each category is defined by wind speeds. The eye of
the hurricane is deceiving, as everything is calm in the center of the storm. The outer
bands of the hurricane are destructive. Once radars show signs of hurricane formations,
preparation is a key factor and can be what saves one’s life. As weather systems predict
the forecasted weather and calculate expected routes, people need to prepare for
destruction, days without basic utilities and especially seek protective shelter, stock up on
non-perishable goods, first aid supplies, gathering a survival kit, lawn maintenance (to
diminish flying debris that could be fatal). Although I have experienced the effects of a
hurricane first hand, I am fortunate enough to have survived the mild catastrophe without
feeling what surrounding neighbors dealt with.
3. List what is known.
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with winds that exceeds 74 miles per hour and circulates
counter-clockwise. The ocean and the atmosphere both contribute to the hurricane
formation. Heat and moisture from the warm waters will empower a hurricane.
Hurricanes weaken as they travel on land or encounter colder waters.
4. List what is unknown.
 We would need to calculate and monitor the expected landfall route.
 Predicting the time and a more precise location of the when and where the
hurricane will sweep through (this can be done by tracking the hurricane on a
storm tracking map).
 Wind factors will need to be considered.
 Hurricane strength- what category does it measure?
 Outer band strengths.
 How much damage from flying debris is expected?
 How much rainfall can be expected? And at what rate?
 Measurements in diameter and circumference of storm.
 What kind of water surge can be expected?
 Will the coastal’s city’s wall barrier hold?
Victoria Lopez
EDTC 6341.61


Death toll?
Accidents?
5. List what needs to be done.
 Preparation of individuals and community:
o Gathering basic survival kits.
o Tying down things that winds could pick up as pose a threat.
o Stocking up on non-perishable goods.
o Preparing generators for electrical back-up.
o Lawn maintenance – to minimize flying debris.
o Emergency plans intact.
o Designate an emergency response team for each area.
 Developing and broadcasting evacuation routes.
 Educate people of potential hazards.
 Preventing flooding effects:
o Cleaning out drainage ditches and canals.
o Distributing sand bags
 Opening up designated shelters for the less fortunate.
 Once the hurricane is in your surroundings, make sure you are in a protective
setting and keep off the road.
6. Develop a problem statement.
Victoria Lopez
EDTC 6341.61
Event’s effects of spheres:
E>B
Drier conditions will reduce vegetation. Drought conditions will accelerate loss of grasses and
some shrubs and increase the likelihood of dust production on disturbed soil surfaces in the
future.
E>B
People and animals inhaling this dust will have breathing problems and can even cause
suffocation.
E>H
Dust travels for many miles and lands into water.
E>L
Winds cause soil erosion when the dry topsoil is displaced.
E>A
The dust storm produces a cloud of thick dust which causes air pollution.
Victoria Lopez
EDTC 6341.61
Sphere’s effects on other spheres:
H>E
Little to no precipitation leads to drought conditions; water resources are limited.
B>H
Farmers depend on aquifers, lakes, ponds, and rivers to irrigate their crops as well as for daily
consumption and personal hygiene.
A>L
Wind gusts cause soil erosion by displacing top soil.
L>B
Soil erosion makes it impossible for plantation of crops.
A>B
Traveling clouds of thick dust cause people and animals to inhale the polluted air which causes
breathing problems and even suffocation.
Victoria Lopez
EDTC 6341.61
Works Cited
http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/events/1900hurr.htm
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hurr/grow/home.rxml