GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation
Scientific Advances of
Tsunami and Volcanic Eruption
Alarming System
Student’s Name:
Cho Seonguk
Student ID #:
HUK21740
Teacher:
Sunny Chung
Due Date:
19 July 2012
Word Count:
846
Table of Contents
Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.0
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 1
2.0
Methodology................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3.0
Findings ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2
4.0
Discussion ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
5.0
Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 6
Appendices ................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Reference List .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
Abstract
This report is compare and contrast about two scientific advances, which are “New system can warn
of tsunami within minutes” and “Oscillating ‘plug’ of magma causes tremors that forecast volcanic
eruptions”. Main topic of this report will support RTerg than forecast volcanic eruptions in terms of
technological advanced level and frequency of each natural disaster. Therefore, at the conclusion
section, RTerg will be state as one of the greatest scientific inventions and it will prevent the people
from tsunami.
1.0 Introduction
The purpose of this report is research to compare and contrast two recent scientific advances. The two
scientific advances that choose are “New system can warn of tsunami within minutes” and
“Oscillating ‘plug’ of magma causes tremors that forecast volcanic eruptions”. Because of too many
casualties from tsunami, seismologists have developed RTerg, which is warm tsunami only minutes
after the initial earthquake. In addition, geophysicists have developed seismic tremors, which are
forecasting explosive volcanic eruptions. Through the research about both scientific advances
inventions, RTerg can be more incredible advances better than seismic tremors in terms of level of
technology degree. Forecasting a volcanic eruption by seismic tremors is just a method of
measurement, but RTerg is highly technological system that warns of tsunami within minutes.
2.0 Methodology
For the exact research about this report, using the “E Science News" site to compare and contrast two
scientific advances inventions. Because this site contains information about both of RTerg and
measure the Oscillating ‘plug’ of magma by seismic tremors. For purpose of gathering more
information about RTerg, using websites such as “The Christian Science Monitor” and “Vanuatu
Meteorological Services” for reinforce the information about RTerg. In addition, for the purpose of
compare and contrast by both scientific advances, investigate more about forecasting methodology of
volcanic eruptions in websites such as “Nova Beta”.
19/7/2012
page 1
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
3.0 Findings
The new system which is known by RTerg can helpful to reduce casualties of Tsunami. RTerg was
developed by Andrew Newman, who is an assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric
Sciences in 2011. In contrast, oscillating ‘plug’ of magma by seismic tremors is advanced method of
predict volcanic eruptions. This system was developed by Mark Jellinek, who is associate professor in
the University of British Columbia Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences in 2011. The background
of developing RTerg is preparing for the destructive Tsunami earthquake such as the magnitude 7.8
2010 Sumatran earthquake. In addition, by Figure 1 and 2, how tsunami is frequent in every decade
and results numerous number of casualties. In contrast, the purpose of developing a new explanation
for seismic tremors to forecast volcanic eruption is prevent explosive eruptions such as Mount
Pinatubo in Philippines, Chaiten Volcano in Chile, and Mount St. Helens in Washington State.
However, by Figure 3 and 4, volcano does not occur frequent than tsunami.
Figure 1. Count of all tsunamis for 10-year periods from 1701 to the present. (Source: National
Geophysical Data Center/World Data Center.)
19/7/2012
page 2
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
Figure 2. Total number of deaths from tsunamis for 10-year periods from 1701 to the present. (Source:
National Geophysical Data Center/World Data Center.)
Figure 3. Katla ‘explosive’ eruptions since 80 BC. (Source: Modern Survival Blog)
19/7/2012
page 3
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
Figure 4. Icelandic Volcanic Eruptions in Historic Time. (Thordarson and Larsen, 2006)
19/7/2012
page 4
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
4.0 Discussion
After examine the findings, RTerg is highly technological scientific advancement than the method of
forecasting volcanic eruptions by seismic tremors. Because, when tsunami is occur slowly, RTerg uses
algorithmic tools to find out occurrence point only minutes after. In addition, RTerg gets information
about the quake’s location, magnitude and depth. The incredible facts about this system is when
earthquake in the sea is determined to be of magnitude 6.5 or higher, it send the information to the
around 150 seismic stations all over the world in only couple of minutes. However, Oscillating ‘plug’
of magma by tremors is just forecasting volcanic eruptions simply, not a highly technological system.
In addition, when RTerg detect earthquake from the sea only couple of minutes, this tremors system
preceded volcanic eruptions from hours to weeks. Therefore, there are possibilities that this system
contain inaccuracy of forecasting volcanic eruptions. Another reason that this system is far from
science advanced technology is simple principle of its working. According to Mark Jellinek, who is an
associate professor in the University of British Columbia Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences
said that it simply oscillates about the magma rises and forecasting by generating tremors frequencies.
Therefore, it can’t be scientific invention compare to the RTerg.
In other point of view that RTerg can be more essential scientific advancement for us than forecasting
volcanic eruption system by tsunami frequencies and its impacts on casualties. By the figures in the
findings, number of the tsunami that occurrence is more than volcanic eruptions. In addition, by
Figure 2, numerous people were died by tsunami last 300 years. Through these data, how RTerg is
really necessary scientific advancement for our life. Even though, volcanic eruptions are very
dangerous natural disaster, but the system that invented by Mark Jellinek is work by just simple
principle. Therefore, it can’t be achieved great scientific advancement compare to highly
technological invention RTerg.
19/7/2012
page 5
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
RTerg can be one of the most scientific advanced inventions and it can give significant contribution to
prevent tsunami, which is dangerous natural disaster. In the future, tsunami warning system can be
more develop and this improvement results people to move safer places quickly. Therefore, people
can living feel relief from anxiety about sudden tsunami and also reduce casualties from this
dangerous disaster in the future.
19/7/2012
page 6
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
Appendices
Figure 1. How Tsunami Work by Earthquake.
19/7/2012
page 7
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
Figure 2. How Tsunami Occurs.
19/7/2012
page 8
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
Figure 3. Several Different Types of Volcanic Eruptions
19/7/2012
page 9
GAC013 AE#2
Seonguk Cho
HUK21740
Reference List
“New System Can Warn of Tsunamis Within Minutes.” E Science News. E Science News, 4 Mar. 2011.
Web. 19 July 2012.
“Oscillating ‘Plug’ of Magma Causes Tremors That Forecast Volcanic Eruptions: UBC Research.” E
Science News. E Science News, 23 Feb. 2011. Web. 19 July 2012.
Rondonuwu, Olivia. “Tsunami Warning: This Time, The System Mostly Worked.” The Christian
Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 19 July 2012.
“Tsunami Warning System.” Vanuatu Government. Vanuatu Meteorological Services, 17 July 2012.
Web. 19 July 2012.
Tyson, Peter. “Forecasting Volcanic Eruptions.” Nova Beta. Nova Beta, 11 Jan. 2005. Web. 19 July
2012.
19/7/2012
page 10