NAME:______________________
Natural Disasters and Environmental Geology (GEOL 104)
College of Southern Idaho (CSI), Professor Shawn Willsey
Hometown Hazard Exercise (50 pts)
In this three-part exercise, you will identify, characterize, and assess geologic hazards in your hometown region (defined as a 30 mile radius around your hometown) and then assess the existing mitigation efforts of your hometown area.
Part One: Hazard Assessment Table (provided on next page): Use the table starting on page 3 and follow the instructions given below.
· City identification and background (2 pts)
On the following page, record either your hometown, current residence, or a place you have lived in the past that is near and dear to you. Identify the town by city and state and give the location (including latitude and longitude) and population of the city.
· Is this a hazard for this location? (3 pts)
Research your area and find out if the hazard exists in your hometown area. If the hazard has occurred in the past, then it probably still exists.
· Date and magnitude of last hazardous event? (5 pts)
Record the most recent hazardous event and its magnitude. The event needs to be a hazard, where it caused injuries, loss of life, and/or property damage or would have if humans had been there. A magnitude 1.6 earthquake that no one felt is not a hazardous event. Be sure to analyze not just the recent past (last few hundred years) recorded by humans, but also the geologic past (last few thousands or even millions of years). Also remember that the magnitude of some hazards can refer to a scale (Richter Scale, Enhanced Fujita Scale, VEI, etc.) or can be described (e.g., intense crown fire in lodgepole pine forest over 3,500 acres).
· What specific risks does this hazard pose to this location? (10 pts)
Focus on your hometown and consider what risks this hazard would create if it were to occur. See the example shown below.
· Low, moderate, or high risk to this location (5 pts)
Essentially, you are assessing the risk based on its frequency, magnitude, and ability to cause property damage and/or fatalities and casualties. Classify the risk as either high, moderate, or low.
**Part One Example**
| Hazard | Is this a hazard for this location? (yes or no) | Date and magnitude of last hazard (if known) | What specific risks does this hazard pose to this location? | Does this hazard pose a low, moderate, or high risk to this location? |
| Volcanic Eruption | Yes | ~2000 years agoVEI 3 | Ashfall from eruption could halt transportation, possibly collapse buildings, and cause health issues. Lahars would travel down Tumalo River drainage and cause damage to Highway 20 north of Bend. Depending on size of eruption, pyroclastic flows could reach Bend and damage buildings and cause fatalities. | Moderate |
****DO NOT CUT AND PASTE directly from any source (this is plagiarism and if I suspect you are doing this, you will receive a zero on this assignment).****
Where to start
Several websites will be of value here. The USGS website (http://www.usgs.gov/hazards/) is a good place to start. You might also try searching for hazard maps for each type of hazard. You may need to look at city or county hazard maps and plans. You may also need to talk to public officials such as city council members, mayors, city planners, emergency services personnel, etc.
Part One: Hazard Assessment Table
City:
Location (latitude and longitude):
Population:
| Hazard | Is this a hazard for this location? (yes or no) | Date and magnitude of last event (if known) | What specific risks does this hazard pose to this location? | Low, moderate, or high risk to this location? |
| Earthquake | ||||
| Volcanic Eruption | ||||
| Mass Wasting | ||||
| Hazard | Hazard for this location? (yes or no) | Date and magnitude of last event (if known) | What specific risks does this hazard pose to this location? | Does this hazard pose a low, moderate, or high risk to this location? |
| Flooding | ||||
| Tornado | ||||
| Wildfire | ||||
| Subsidence | ||||
| Tsunami | ||||
| Hazard | Hazard for this location? (yes or no) | Date and magnitude of last event (if known) | What specific risks does this hazard pose to this location? | Does this hazard pose a low, moderate, or high risk to this location? |
| Severe Winter Weather | ||||
| Hurricane | ||||
| Thunderstorm |
Part Two: Hazard Mitigation (20 pts)
Investigate existing mitigation plans for your hometown area. What is currently being done to mitigate the risk of these hazards? You may need to contact local public officials and inquire about existing plans regarding each hazard. You may also find city or county hazard plans on line. Find out what steps they have already implemented and review them critically. Are there deficiencies in their hazard plans? How effective are they? What other mitigation steps should be taken in your opinion? In the unlikely and unfortunate event that your hometown has no hazard plan, write your own hazard plan and discuss how the measures you have implemented will be effective in reducing risk from these hazards.
Your hazard mitigation report should be typed below, double-spaced, and no more than five pages. Please cite reputable sources properly (MLA or APA style).
Part Three: List your references (5 pts)
Please provide a complete list of references used in this assignment, including any individuals you contacted along with websites and other materials. Be sure to use reputable sources.
TURN THE ENTIRE ASSIGNMENT IN TOGETHER by the due date listed in your syllabus.
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