Essay on Gossip in the Workplace - 1837 Words

Gossip accounts for sixty-five percent of speaking time in our everyday conversations (Grosser et al., 2010). Not surprisingly, gossip is a common form of communication that is highly prevalent in our social lives, especially within the workplace. While gossip tends to hold negative connotations, research suggests that gossip may serve as a healthy social activity, creating unity and bringing people together. Gossip may have the power to strengthen group bonds, create stronger group identification, and foster greater interpersonal ties (Mills, 2010). Gossip, therefore, may serve as a beneficial organizational behavior within the workplace. However, the prevailing research links gossip to negative outcomes in the workplace, such as†¦show more content†¦Research suggests that rumors typically occur when individuals are in conditions of environmental ambiguity (Michelson et al., 2010). For example, situations of organizational change may cause environmental uncertainty, and rum ors occur to fill in the discrepancies. Therefore, rumors seem to be motivated by a need for sense making, whereas gossip seems to be motivated by relationship needs (Michelson et al., 2010). To gain a better understanding of gossip’s role in the workplace, some research has focused on the influence of workplace relationships on the spread of both positive and negative gossip. In particular, Grosser, Kidwell, Labianca (2010) examined the social network of organizations to understand the types of relationships through which positive and negative gossip are transmitted. Grosser et al. (2010) argue that an employee will engage in positive and/or negative gossip depending on an employee’s dyadic relationship ties with coworkers. 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Bible and Beowulf Reading Journal Free Essays

Beowulf reading journal Entry 1 Lines 703-1250 Kennings: God-cursed Grendel (true kenning) Cloud-murk (half-kenning) Hell-serf (true-kenning) Wound-slurry (half-kenning) Wave-Vat (half-Kenning) Alliterations: None Epic poetry line that stuck out: Line 927-930 â€Å"first and foremost, let the Lord Almighty be thanked for this sight. † Line 1057 â€Å"past and present God always prevails. † Entry 2 10/02/12 Nick Yasi Lines 1251-1887 Kennings: Line 1259: Hell-Bride (true-kenning) Line 1274: Hell-Brute (true-kenning) Line 1276: Death-Den (half-kenning) Line 1312: First-Footing (true-kenning) Alliterations: Line 1317: Floorboards banged Line1408: Prince Preceded Epic poetry line that stuck out: Line 1272 â€Å"He (Beowulf) relied for help on the lord of all. We will write a custom essay sample on Bible and Beowulf Reading Journal or any similar topic only for you Order Now Entry 3 10/02/12 Nick Yasi One thing that really stuck out to me, which I find really neat, is after Beowulf returns to Heorat and Hrothgar praises Beowulf’s goodness, evenness, and loyalty, he begins to contrasts him with the evil King Heremod, and predicts a great future for him. He delivers a long speech about how to be a good and wise ruler by choosing eternal rather than earthly rewards. And when I read this I couldn’t help thinking about Solomon and how he asked for wisdom instead of earthly things. Also it seems, for me at least, that reading this story and hearing all the biblical references helps me understand and want to read the bible a lot more than I do already. Cause in a sense Beowulf isn’t even close to being as epic as the bible. How to cite Bible and Beowulf Reading Journal, Papers

A Sociological View of Rastafarianism Essay Example For Students

A Sociological View of Rastafarianism Essay Organized religion is a duality between the religion and the church which represents it. Sometimes the representation of the religion is marred and flawed to those who view it because of the bureaucracy contained within. Unknown to those who gaze upon the dissolved morals and values of what is perceived to be the contradiction known as modern religion, it was never intended to be this way. Most religions started off as a sect, a minor detail on the fringes of the society it never wanted to represent. Rastfarianism is such a sect. The differences between Rastafarianism and a normal mainstream religion are numberless, including: no set membership, no authoritative leader, no offices of authority, no trained clergy and no involvement with the world as a whole. Rastafarianism is based upon an underrepresented minority which needed hope in the face in utter demise. According to Max Weber, religion emerges to satisfy a social need. In treating suffering as a symptom of odiousness in the ey es of gods and as a sign of secret guilt, religion has psychologically met a very general need (Weber 271). Rastafarianism emerges in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica in the 1930s to meet the needs of the poor, unskilled black Jamaicans who needed a hope. The social situation which was emerging in the 1930s which called for this need was as follows. Jamaica was a commonwealth of the British Empire. It had recently, around 1884, received a write in clause to their constitution which stipulated if the new government did not succeed and the economic life of Jamaica were to suffer because of it, the political constitution would be amended or abolished to meet new conditions. Black Jamaicans had a taste for power in their mouths and in 1938, this erupted in labor riots and violence. This act did nothing for their cause. It would still be 30 years until Jamaica received its independence. Blacks in Jamaica were the victims of social stratification which left them at the bottom rung of the la dder. They had menial jobs such as field worker or an attendant at the sugar plant, if they had jobs at all. The blacks were suffering as a people and as an organized group. Ethopianism had been introduced to Jamaica in 1784 by George Liele, by adding it to the name of his Baptist church, hoping to graft itself onto the African religion of Jamaican slaves. But the movement to embody the Ethiopian ideology par excellence was the Back to Africa movement of Marcus Garvey (Barret 76). He saw African civilization as anterior to all others and used bible verses which were easily interpretable to portray Africans as the chosen people mentioned in the bible, as in Psalm 68: Princes shall come out if Egypt and Ethiopia shall stretch forth his hands onto God (Barret 78). Garveys persistence culminated in the crowning of Ras Tafari as Negus of Ethiopia. He took the name Haile Selassie and added King of Kings and the Lion in the Tribe of Judah, placing himself in the legendary line of King Solo man, and therefore, in the same line as Jesus Christ of Roman Catholicism. Out of this came Rastafarianism which took over Jamaica at a time when it was in a low tide economically and socially. Socially, people experienced the brunt of the Depression as well as disaster due to a devastating hurricane. Politically, colonialism gripped the country and the future of the masses looked hopeless. Any doctrine which that promised a better hope and a better day was ripe for hearing (Barret 84). Weber analyzed conditions such as these as a theodicy of suffering. One can explain suffering and injustice by refrying to individual sin committed in former life, to the guilt of ancestors . . . to the wickedness of all people. As compensatory promised one can refer to hopes of the individual for a better life in the future of this world or to the for the successors, or to a better life in the hereafter (Weber 275). In other words, those who are disadvantaged in a situation (the poor, hopeless, black Jamaicans) will be rewarded. The poor people have a decided advantage in the Rastas view, since they are forced to look into themselves and confront the basic reality of human existence and only there can God be found (Owens 173) Their negative situation will be turned into a positive one (transvaluation) because they are the truly righteous, or so they believed. Rastafarianism was more than a religion to the people of Jamaica, it was a hope. It was their escape from the the rational e veryday world. This theodicy of suffering, in which the underprivileged and underrepresented Jamaicans believed, was compensation for the deplorable state in which they found themselves. The Rastafarian way of living and their everyday activities began as a deviant social behavior, but rather was a routinization of the masses into one cohesive unit, following the same general creed under different principles. This point can be seen most specifically in the modern Rastafarian hairstyles. In traditional Rastafarianism most Rastas do not cut their hair but allow it to grow naturally long matted strands or locks. These locks are in accordance with the Leviticus 21:5: They shall not make baldness upon their head (Johnson-Hill 25). But in todays Rastafarianism, their are men who will not grow facial hair or locks in accordance to their position in the work place and in society, but still believe in the faith of and consider themselves a part of the Rastafarian religion. This process of electing points on a subject in which a followers ideas converge with is called elective affinity, as coined by Max Weber. This elective affinity concerning Rastafarianism was spurred by cha rismatic prophets of the belief system such as Marcus Garvey, Haile Selassie, and Samuel Brown. All of these men preached to the negatively privileged strata which existed in the Jamaican slums and the impoverished Jamaican parishes. The underprivileged strata became a status group in a sociological point of view when they selected Rastafarianism and Haile Selassie as their god. This annunciation and promise led these impoverished blacks into a status group known as Rastafarians. This elective affinity between underprivileged Jamaicans and Rastafarians was seen most directly in a change in diet to follow Kosher food laws, a change in hair style, the use of a different language, and a the use of a holy weed; ganja. These highly visible symbols served as a solidification of a persons elective affinity and a public statement of their beliefs. To become a member of the Rastafarian status group was to embrace the lifestyle and the conceptual livity of a personal relationship with nature, in a pure organic way (Johnson-Hill 25). The Rastafarian lifestyle, at its early core, was based upon responses to social actions cast forth by the Jamaican bureaucracy. These actions exist on the guise of a messianic hope which is generally known as Ethiopia or Africa (Barret 117). The first reaction is aggression, which was exemplified by the social struggles for equality or even acknowledgment by the economically challenged island residents. The second reaction is acceptance. This ambivalence toward the situation is more of a standstill than anything else. The act of accepting ones own unfortunate situation negates the aggression and action of the previous step. This is where the Messianic values began to seep into the Rastafarian watershed. With these people and this clear-cut fashion only among them and under other very particular conditions, the suffering of a peoples community, rather than the suffering of the individual, became the object of hope for religious salvation (Weber 273). Rastafarian men and women began to forget their own individual struggles and rely on the preaching from Haile Selassie to comfort them as a group. Individuality is looked down upon in the Rastafarian religion. The status group or strata will suffer as a whole, not as individual pieces of a puzzle. Every Rastafarian considers himself an authoritative spokesman for Selassie. It is consequently unthinkable that one of the brethren should assume special prerogatives in speaking for the Emperor (Owens 43). Matrix (496 words) EssayMarx and Weber also collide in beliefs on the idea of theodicy of suffering. Weber believed religion emerges to fulfill a social need. The poor, black, Jamaicans needed hope, and with their economic status, suffering was a major part. Taken on a face value then, the Jamaican culture can be divided into two distinct classes: theodicy of suffering and theodicy of good fortune. The former group, those who indirectly believe in a theodicy of suffering, are alienated from the latter group. Within the suffering group, there is alienation among members due to separation from product. The product, in this case, is their religion. Now all of the members of the Rastafarian status group belong to Rastafarianism as a whole, but there are sects within the sect, which are different from each other. For an example, the emergence of the uptown Rasta which differs in belief system from Rastafarianism as a whole. The alienation comes in the fact that the people, not as one un ified group, but as a large organization of individuals are single entities and none speak for the religion. Criticism of this can be found in a previously mentioned Joseph Owens quote (see page four, first paragraph). Although each member is a spokesman for Selassie, is unthinkable to assume each member of the brethren might have something different to say? This leads to alienation among those within the same sect. The previously stated belief contrasts with a Weberian point of view as well. In a Marxian view of thought, the poor should try to revolt against their ruling bureaucracy. This appropriation is further determined by the manner in which it must be effected. It can only be effected through a union, which by the character of the proletariat itself can again only be a universal one, and through a revolution . . . (Marx 192). There is a flaw under the question: how can a society revolt through Marxism and still be prone against change, an opiate in Marxian view, to their own standing within the community? Karl Marx would see this as a complete oxymoron. Rastafarianism should benefit the social group, not allow it to stop progression and merely graze the lips of those who chose it, giving them a short and unsatisfying taste of what is available to them. This yearning for more should lead the people into a full economic and political revolt against this bourgeoisie. While relatively similar to a Marxian point of view, Durkheimian sociology sees Rastafarianism as a social entity. This religion was originally associated as Jamaican poor and the term Rasta and poor, black Jamaican could be used interchangeable. And with this association, Rastafarianism emerged to regulate the desires of the Jamaican poor. It brought about a solidarity among the lowest status class which served as a jumping point into embracing their situations. Thus, the religion is inseparable from the groups which contain it. This occupies the ideas of Weber in that if the religion is inseparable from the groups which contain it, then, the religion will indirectly evolve as the group evolves. This basically complies with the Weberian point of view that religious beliefs change along with the strata which embody them. Also, if Rastafarianism is a social entity, it therefore must have risen out of the need for a social set of values, complying with the Weberian ideal of religion em erging to satisfy a social need. This Durkheimian point of view also crosses paths with the views of Karl Marx. If religion brings about solidarity among a status group which happens to be underprivileged, revolution is a possible following steps. One person may revolt, but one needs masses along the same ideals to successfully revolt. By integrating society, one brings the society or group on the same consciousness, although it may be a false consciousness. No matter rational or irrational, the motives exist and can be accomplished with aid of a charismatic prophet, in this case, Marcus Garvey or Samuel Brown. To update this idea, there is a popular t-shirt which states Never underestimate stupid people in large groups. The same could be applied to a Marxian and Durkheimian point of view. Their t-shirt might say Never underestimate the power of alienated oppressed on the same intellectual level.Durkheim and Weber do disagree on some levels. One of them being the role of individuality within religion. A Durkheimian point of view toward individuality could not characterize the Rastafarian movement because it believes one should embrace all the exists, but do not include each other. This directly violates the Rastafarians belief in an I-n-I mentality. This implies a three-fold relationship between any individual self, Jah God, and other selves (Johnson-Hill 23). Max Weber sees religion as a unification of a people, which is evident in his distinction between strata and status. Rastafarianism is a status group, individuality is left behind at the strata before seemingly advancing into a higher level of consciousness, complete with its own symbols, language and customs, especially marijuana usage. Although the beliefs of a religion change, the essence of the religion does not. This is supported by Weber with the idea that changes in a decisive stratum lead to a change of beliefs. This is opposed by Durkheim stating a religion as a whole has lasted because it performs a social function; it integrat es those involved within it. The falsity is what people believe. So, if people change, the religion changes with the people, not necessarily minor beliefs within it. It is a cycle which includes the transfer of old gods to new gods, completely changing the religion with society. Rastafarianism has not faded away, and in fact has spread its brethren among many areas of the world. The Rastafarian movement is no longer a mere revolutionary movement; it has become a part of the establishment, a part of officialdom (Barret 245). Rastafarianism may have started on the fringes of Jamaican society, but it now a representation of what it considered hell. In terms of an outsider, Jamaica is no longer Babylon, it is now Rastafaria, a step on the way to utopian Zion. Rastafarianism is now an integration of all of Jamaican society rather that just one social strata. Its changes have moved along with the changes of Jamaica as a nation. The people of Jamaica are interchangeable with Rastafarianism. It is ironic which a group so hating of their own environment would become such a force as to represent it to the world. Rastafarianism is truly by the people, for the people.

Policy activities USA 19th and 20th century an Example of the Topic All Posts by

Policy activities USA 19th and 20th century The United States has always portrayed itself to others as a benign power that is guided by democratic principals. However history of the country and its attitude towards the foreign policy adopted goes against this statement. Need essay sample on "Policy activities USA 19th and 20th century" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed In late 19th century the United States established itself as the world power that it is now. The company underwent extensive wars like the Spanish Wars and the civil war which shaped and structured the boundaries of the nation and the constitution of the nation. The country was revolutionized with the movements of the people which led to the reconstruction of the south and election taking place in 1876. The United States as well as the countries in Europe were facing benefits of superiority for nations through the expansion strategy based on conquests and wars. "Numerous factors combined to enhance local power in nineteenth century foreign policy. The ambiguity of federalism and the doctrine of states" rights, for example, encouraged rivalry between local actors and the national government" (Cairo, 2004). As a result the United States also employed a similar stance towards its foreign policy. "Many remembered the crusade of abolitionism, and were ready to apply the same standards of human rights to people in faraway lands. Other anti-imperialists, believers in Anglo-Saxon superiority, voiced concern for the ways in which contact with "tropical people" would eventually dilute our racial stock and diminish our institutions." (Chimes) This imperialist stance resulted in the acquisition of the Hawaiian Islands, the presence of the US government in the Central Asia as involvement in the wars and battles around the world like the Versailles treaty that depict the hypocrisy of the United States when it refers to itself as a benign and democratic country. People Usually Tell EssayLab writers:I'm not in the mood to write my essay. Because I don't have the timeProfessional writers suggest: There Is Nothing Impossible For Essaylab Paper WriterCheap Essay Helper Best Essay Writing Service College Essay Writing Service Cheap Essay Writing Service The similar anti-democratic principles were employed by the country in the late 20th Century as well. The involvement of the country in the World War II, the cold war between Russia and the United States as well as the wars with Vietnam, the Gulf Wars and the involvement of the country in the politics of the Middle East all reflect an implerialistic stance which goes against the image of a country that promotes itself as a benign nation having democratic values as maintained by the United States. References Cairo, M. , (20040, Local Activism in 19th Century American Foreign Policy: A Preliminary Assessment, Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association, Le Centre Sheraton Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Online, retrieved July 2, 2009 Chimes, M., American Foreign Policy in the Late 19th Century: Philosophical Underpinnings, retrieved July 2, 2009 from http://www.spanamwar.com/imperialism.htm

BEOWULF AS AN EPIC HERO Essays - Beowulf, Geats, Free Essays

BEOWULF AS AN EPIC HERO Essays - Beowulf, Geats, Free Essays BEOWULF AS AN EPIC HERO In reading the epic poem of Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, has the characteristics of an epic hero by showing skill and courage, enduring fame, and royal responsibility . In the epic poem of Beowulf, Beowulf shows extraordinary and almost superficial skill and courage at the Slaying of Grendel, the Troll-Wife, and the Dragon. Due to the courageous slaying of the unwanted creatures Beowulf also becomes accustomed to the idea of enduring fame. Beowulf also must accept the concept of protecting his people as a royal responsibility. The epic poem begins with the slaying of Grendel. In the slaying of the abnormally large creature Beowulf shows portentous skills and courage. Beowulf's shows extraordinary skill and courage; which is an example of an epic hero. In the poem of Beowulf, Beowulf shows courage and skill by slaying Grendel without the use of a shield or sword. The reason why Beowulf decides to kill Grendel with out the use of any armor is because Beowulf feels that he should have no advantages over Grendel. By conquering Grendel without any armor Beowulf proves to the people that he truly is courageous and skillful. The following paragraph shows the reader just how courageous he really is "I count myself weaker in war or grapple of battle than Grendel himself. Therefore i scorn to slay him with sword, Deal deadly wound, as i well might do-nothing he knows of a noble fighting, Of thrusting and hewing and hacking of shield" (L 507-513) Beowulf also shows skill and courage when he defeats the Troll Wife. (The mother of Grendel) After the killing of many Thanes in the Mead Hall Beowulf is able to kill The Troll Wife with the use of the Hrunting. He defeats The Troll Wife with a thrust at the throat, which broke through the bone rings of The Troll Wife. Once again Grendel exemplifies the characteristics of an epic hero. Beowulf also shows skill and courage in the killing of the Dragon. In the slaying of the Dragon, Beowulf was willing to sacrifice his life so that the gruesome Dragon would be killed. Due to Beowulf's extraordinary skill and courage Beowulf shows royal responsibility. Beowulf shows another characteristic of an epic hero by carrying out his royal responsibilities. When the kingdom is given to him to govern Beowulf realizes that it is his duty to govern and protect his people, for it is his royal responsibility. Even though he has aged when the dragon comes about, he has to protect his people for it is now a duty that he must subject to. In the following passage from Beowulf, Beowulf explains why he must carry out his royal responsibility " I remember it all... for all such gifts that Hygelac gave me I repaid him in battle with shining sword, as chance was given. He granted me land, A gracious dwelling and goodly estate. I was always before him alone in wan. While the sword holds out that has served me well. With hand and hard blade, i must fight for the treasure" (L 567-572) Although Beowulf is fragile and old when the Dragon comes about Beowulf realizes that he has repay his people by killing the Dragon. Beowulf feels that he was given so much from his people and the killing of the dragon is his royal responsibility. The killing of Grendel, The Troll wife, and the Dragon, have all been Beowulf's royal responsibility. Beowulf also becomes accustomed to the idea of enduring fame by taking royal responsibility.. Beowulf demonstrates another characteristic of an epic hero through the concept of enduring fame. The characteristic of enduring fame comes about when Beowulf slays Grendel, The Troll, and the Dragon. After the slaying of the Grendel and The Troll Wife Beowulf is regarded as a hero by many Thanes. When Beowulf kills Grendel, Beowulf encounters Heorot where he awards Beowulf with gold, a banner embroided, a byrny and a helm. When having a feast in the honor of Beowulf, Wealtheow proclaims a speech to Beowulf: "Take, dear Beowulf, collar and corselat. Wear these treasures with right good will! Thrive and prosper and prove your might. You have earned the underling honor of heroes. May fate show favor while life shall last! I wish your hearts content" (L 775-780) Beowulf also becomes accustomed to the idea of enduring fame when the land is given to Beowulf to govern. He also receives recognition when he dies. At the end of this

Case study epistemological issues

Case study epistemological issues This document may shortly examine problems and different components in-development study. I'll provide the meanings of improvement and used study and also the part of the previous towards the latter to begin. Consequently, I'll clarify border configurations and the epistemological problems in-development study. I provide their benefits and drawbacks and will also explain the study methods. Furthermore, I'll supply factual statements about rigor in-development study- connection and its structure to credibility. And also to determine, I'll provide, my own perspective, in several phrases overall study procedure in-development circles. Used study is understood to be a kind of research or unique analysis completed in order to get new understanding. "It's, nevertheless, aimed mainly towards objective or a particular useful goal ". (OECD, 2002: 78). About the other hand, improvement is described by Haynes (2008: 1) as "a vital measurement of individual existence, interpersonal relationships, politics, economics, and tradition". Improvement is generally from the socio economic development of group or a person of people. Provided these meanings, I will state that used study to development's part would be to supply findings and results that'll reply a particular question about improvement through the procedure of containing fresh details or possibly verifying current statements. Often, findings which are discovered legitimate are utilized from the investigator like a foundation of his/her tips that's aimed towards the control being included in the study. Various establishments such as the government, NGOs educational age ncies, etc.-can make use of the understanding that is acquired to be able to create smart choices which are meant for the development and improvement of culture. Plan-related analysis is just a typical instance of used research in-development. Plan-related analysis is conducted whenever a specialist really wants to collect info on a particular policy-to understand whether the policy works well and effective; to understand in what manner the policy could be improved; to recognize its influences on particular populace; to calculate its expenses and advantages to culture, etc. Potter and Subrahmanian (1998: 19) noticed that "various policies need various study concerns to become requested to be able to acquire outcomes that'll usefully advise these guidelines". In my own comprehension, this means that for every info that there is a specialist trying to find, there's an equal issue he or she needs to request originally. If he/she'll not have the ability to produce suitable concerns that'll create productive solutions the investigator won't have the ability to obtain the understanding he/she wants in working with a particular plan. The investigato r should also use resources and an appropriate technique within the study. Improvement can be an important aspect of our daily life. Educational posts, books and individual encounters reveal it is today a rising problem of culture and that improvement is definitely an essential component outside and inside the house. In my opinion that a broad selection is of complicated issues contained in our culture which hinders improvement. Thus, we require a multiple- procedure that is interdisciplinary like used study that's effective at coping with these issues. Study in development lately gave birth that I guess in handling issues of improvement is more matched. This involves involvement of and conversation between and one of the various stakeholders in procedures for example facilitation, cooperation and settlement which may be accomplished through the usage of various study methods where numerous stakeholders are regarded as stars. The investigator that's to possess understanding about the specific topic his aim is discovering is basic in virtually any type of study in-development. It's worth mentioning that every bit of understanding the investigator obtained has its source. Based on Kanbur and Shaffer (2007: 185), "epistemology may be the department of viewpoint which reports the character and statements of understanding. Variations in epistemological strategy underlie a typical difference within the viewpoint of social technology between essential concept/ and positivism, hermeneutics methods hermeneutics that are critical ". Sumner and Group (2004: 3) describes that "epistemology offers the philosophical underpinning-the reliability-which legitimizes understanding and also the construction to get a procedure that'll create, via a 'demanding' strategy (comprising the entire selection of study techniques), solutions that may be thought to be legitimate, trusted/replicable and representative/common". Nevertheless, there are how understanding is obtained numerous other balances and that I consider this like a demanding problem in epistemology. Conversations on epistemological stances change from one writer to a different thus the distinction between Kanbur and Shaffer (2007) wording which recognizes just three epistemologies specifically, positivism/empiricism, hermeneutics/interpretative and essential concept/critical hermeneutics and also the post of Schwandt (1994) including four, incorporating yet another named social constructionism. I'll briefly examine within the next sentences all of the stances described in both posts to become neutral. Among the epistemological methods in-development research may be the positivism strategy that is empiricism. This method is linked to the methodological position. It's understood to be "an investigation strategy based on a statement-centered design for identifying the reality or credibility of understanding statements by which "brute information" are designated an unique part" (Kanbur and Shaffer, 2007: 185). This strategy thinks that a real possibility is really available that requires to become established from the investigator which understanding isn't produced but just confirmed through findings and assessments. Positivist scientists are noticed as specialists who utilize common techniques that create legitimate sights. Furthermore, this method is willing towards the usage of visible, considerable and statistical numbers named "brute information" in order match or to verify the present truth. Another approach interpretative strategy. As Kanbur and Shaffer (2007: 185) described, hermeneutics may be the "interpretative knowledge of intersubjective meanings". Unlike positivism, this thinks that the fact is developed by the data that will be made by interpersonal steps of people's understandings in culture attracted from low-statistical definitions. "to comprehend a specific cultural activity, the inquirer should understand this is that represent the action" (Schwandt 1994: 191). in my opinion that knowledge of a particular cultural action varies for each translator with no meaning may be the same and formerly existent. This can be an approach to decoding and code steps to be able to create understanding that'll represent reality. Interpretative scientists also think that there's not one facts that presents cultural measures. Moreover, these scientists aren't considered as specialists and what might be legitimate and accurate for just one may possibly not be exactly the same for that others. The 3rd epistemological strategy is known as the essential theory hermeneutics. This method is in certain methods much like hermeneutics strategy except that additional measurements were put into its main thesis. Based on Kanbur and Shaffer (2007: 185), "comprehension involves essential evaluation of provided values and ideas regarding some fundamental understanding of reality or credibility". Locating the truth and creating understanding is not only interpreting and understanding steps that are cultural or converting the vocabulary of one. It's crucial to get a specialist to carefully study phrases and those things of individuals that understanding has been removed. He or she should be ready to look for the factors behind various values that should be ready to understand the roots of those facts and flower from numerous truths. Furthermore, "[ ] enlightenment [ ] is definitely an important area of the procedure for request" (Kanbur and Shaffer., 2007: 185). Hermeneutics is extremely centered on discourses/stories. Through seeking clarification from the individual whom the state is originating from thus, to be able to acquire understanding, scientists within this strategy should understand the actual meaning of the vocabulary. This method evaluations the observer's part. Schwandt (1994) additionally recognized a few modifications between this approach and also the traditional hermeneutics strategy. Tendencies are considered caused encounters and by prior understanding which are not naturally past in an interpreter's top, consequently, it's something which CAn't be gone. Customs, your encounters and existing understanding of issues influence/situation the way in which we translate and believe cultural measures. It's subsequently difficult for an interpreter to 'obvious' his/her brain before knowing a specific social activity. The final epistemological approach that compete for that interest of the low-positivist followers may be the social constructionist approach. Except that it negates the thought of illustration this method is nearly exactly the same using the two mentioned methods. "Cultural constructionist epistemologies try to 'conquer' representationalist epistemologies" (Schwandt, 1994: 197). this method thinks the individual brain don't simply translate or discover knowledge, instead, it generates it by creating versions, ideas along with other ideas utilizing our encounters, customs, prior knowledge, methods, etc. in a nutshell, we create knowledge based on what we all know and find out, hence, reality/the reality is observed via a person's contact. Methodology is definitely an essential requirement of study in-development. For each epistemological position, a related methodological toolkit is that's utilized by a specialist. The investigator should be ready to use the best option method in order to complete a great research. You will find three stances in improvement and study - the combined and qualitative -technique questions. The two are very different of every other due to their basic values centered on epistemologies as the one that is next, being truly a mixture of both methods is said to not be easy to simply accept because of insufficient epistemological theory. Quantitative strategy is related to the positivist epistemology so that as reiterated by Hoy (2010: 1), quantitative study is just a "medical analysis which includes both tests along with other organized techniques that stress and handle and quantified steps of efficiency." He describes that dimension and data are crucial to quantitative technique since these would be the contacts between even the fresh findings or scientific and also the numerical term of the connection. "Quantitative scientists are worried using the improvement and screening of ideas and also the era of versions and also the ideas that clarify behavior" (Hoy, 2010: 1). A quantitative study technique is better employed for 'what' and 'what if' concerns also it employs calculating and modeling of statistical information whilst the supply of understanding. A specialist often uses detailed data like regression excitement, etc. additionally, because the positivist method is followed by this process, it involves looking and understanding of the common reality by researchers who're regarded as specialists. I discover generalizations were more centered on by quantitative strategy, stating that it's the situation for several related occasions and providing response to an issue. Quantitative sometimes appears gainful in ways that it's a type of research which may be ripped, thus, may create results that are equivalent. Nevertheless, quantitative reports could not be cheap and time consuming. Additionally, this method can't quickly achieve challenging/marginalized communities and delicate data are also tough to acquired (Bamberger, 2000). I think that quantitative strategy, being the first ever to be recognized within the study industry, continues to be probably the most broadly-employed strategy in-development reports at the moment. Nevertheless, I can't state that it's the very best approach to use or it's much better than the following two that I'll examine. Let us now go to the study technique. This method is not fairly old compared to quantitative technique. Hoy (2010: 1) explains qualitative study being an approach that "centers around in depth knowledge of interpersonal and individual behavior and also the factors behind such conduct. The technique depends upon the reported encounters of people through casestudies, fieldwork and analyses. Researchers have an interest in finding patterns of conduct, discovering fresh suggestions and comprehension. " Qualitative strategy is most often utilized by low-positivist followers. It has a tendency to reply 'why' and 'how' concerns. Qualitative researchers exercise participatory study methods which include semi-structured interviews, person statement, discussion analysis, target groups, participatory analysis, life-history studies, case studies, etc. this method is believed to create quicker results and in the same period, is cheaper than quantitative methods like reviews. Challenging communities for example ladies, kids, minorities, etc.-are more straightforward to achieve by using qualitative participatory procedures. Additionally, methods are flexible with respect to those groups' tradition. Moreover, numerous strategies can be applied by qualitative analysts to team or possibly people without imposing reactions in it. About the down-side, results of the qualitative study are said to not be simple creating trouble within responses' approval. Because of the undeniable fact that this pro cess is diverse, it's also usually well undocumented and consequently, CAn't be ripped and/ or be compared. Unlike quantitative, topics/individuals of the qualitative strategy are chosen without sample that's why generalization is difficult to achieve. Finally, this process is challenging to manage whether interviewer is imposing solutions towards the study issue (Bamberger, 2000). Unlike the study, this isn't a precise technology but an awareness procedure that creates numerous solutions which vary with respect to topic and the investigator. This method centers around particular instances and never generalize topics of the research. For analysts, truth and reality CAn't recognized or be created by calculating information, but instead by creating, talking, and interpreting. Along with quantitative methods, I'll examine shortly the 3rd methodological strategy in research in-development that will be named the multiple-method study. Multiple-technique study is just a phrase used-to explain an investigation that includes quantitative study inside a simple task. This tactic might make one of the most from the talents of both methods in addition to offset the flaws (Bryman, 2004). I'll no further sophisticated about the faculties of the strategy since I have currently offered the faculties of qualitative and quantitative. This mixture of quantitative methods may be used to triangulate results. A specialist may cross check results of the technique utilizing another way of another strategy. Additionally, a direct result a questionnaire or any quantitative technique could be analyzed thorough utilizing a qualitative technique like example, in depth interviews, FGD, etc. (Bryman, 2004). In research industry, multiple-technique has been more recognized at the moment. I guess studies happen to be obtaining the impact that multiple-technique strategy is contrasting and should be obtained absolutely while not centered on epistemology. Quantitative might help viceversa and qualitative study. Whenever a specialist can't depend on to either technique alone this could also complete the spaces. Further methods might be used, thus, can also be regarded as extra. Nevertheless, it's very important to keep in mind that this method is inferior to mono-method study. Moreover, performed and this however must be totally created since the quantity of techniques/techniques utilized in an investigation isn't an insurance this one may deliver a higher-quality result. Last although not minimal, scientists mustn't respect this being an approach that's globally relevant to all or any study issues in-development industry which it may reply all issues in-development industry (Bryman, 2004). Even though that stances mentioned above and the epistemological methods have other opinions on various and truth way of learning, in my opinion that study style is similarly important to all. Border-environment is just a thought that is related prior to starting using the real study that any strategy should consider. The drawing of limitations is essential allow the investigator to pick which of the problems are actually essential to ensure that he or she overlook the others that are less essential to the study and may concentrate on these. Nevertheless, a specialist utilizing whichever strategy he or she decided to use should, obviously, be sure on his/her goal because this is the research of his in performing the research /her quest for understanding. Based on Blackmore and Ison (1998: 41), limitations "help separate, simplify and concentrate on what's essential in a specific scenario". A few of the limitations which may be regarded would be the following: (1) visual precise location of the study; (2) individuals of the study; (3) the part of the researcher within the study; (4) expected ramifications of treatments; and, (5) the investigatoris obligation and responsibility (Blackmore et al., 1998). Some limitations might be less mental compared to others. Some observed as the others are conceptual intangible and could be quickly attracted. One problem in working with limitations is how available (or not) the investigator is as it pertains to altering or altering the limitations of his/her research. Scientists should always keep in mind that limitations aren't set; alternatively, they're determined by actions or the modifications of his/her research. For that tangible limitations, like the two factors provided above, alter and it's significantly more straightforward to produce. Nevertheless, for conceptual limitations, those that are subjective and intangible, it's just the opposite. It's the appropriate personalities who decide the limitations of the research and also the stakeholders. The explanation for this really is that since individuals have reasons and various views, they often set limitations that are various . Moreover, their ideas introduced by encounters and understanding influence individuals. Thus, actually two people faced with the exact same scenario will likely have distinct viewpoint about the issue. With all this reality, the investigator can't simply understand the limitations of one through his/her comprehension. (Blackmore and Ison, 1998). Border environment in-development study might truly appear boring and complex; nevertheless, it's one important area of the entire procedure. Another essential section of study in-development is credibility. It would appear that "of all of the ideas of cultural study, possibly none continues to be as essential so that as difficult as 'validity'" (Thomas, 2006: 118). centered on numerous scholarly texts I've read, which didn't really provide me a definite description of what validity is but instead offered me requirements and indications of credibility, I will state that the validity of the research frequently amounts towards the reliability or tone of its results whatever research technique the investigator decided to make use of. But what is really credibility? Maxwell (2005: 106) claims that "credibility send [s] towards the correctness or reliability of the information, summary, clarification, meaning, or different kind of consideration". In-development study, there is a legitimate summary essential. To be able to accomplish this, it's essential for a specialist to truly have a steady and guaranteed foundation for his/her suggestions. The investigator should not be unable to protect his/her summary by sufficient facts or comparable reports that warrant and will verify it. There are numerous credibility assessments that the specialist might choose to utilize, specifically: (1) intense long term participation, (2) abundant information, (3) participant approval, (4) treatment, (5) trying to find discrepant research and damaging instances, (6) triangulation, (7) quasi-research, and (8) assessment. Nevertheless, it's worth-mentioning that Maxwell (2005) discusses credibility as something which CAn't be confirmed since it is not absolute. Credibility depends upon who's currently considering what. If one individual allows the state of the investigator perhaps that's since he possibly he or /she'd exactly the same encounter using the investigator /she'd an identical evaluation of the issue. Individuals are crucial creatures that concerns and uncertainties understanding. Then just how can the investigator show that his/her understanding state is legitimate if this is actually the situation? How can credibility be achieved by a specialist in his/her research? As previously mentioned within the wording of Maxwell (2005), the investigator doesn't have method of understanding totally whether he or she grabbed credibility in his/her study. Nonetheless, he or she may cope with credibility risks for example reactivity and investigator bias. To be able to remove investigator opinion, he or she should cautious to not affect the investigation together with his/her morals, prior understanding, values, etc. However, sometimes, individual tendencies centered on these specific things are difficult to dismiss, hence, exactly what the investigator may do will be articulate and truthful about this with these recognized in his/her research. Likewise, reactivity can also be difficult to pr event. Who the investigator is, hence, influencing caused by the research in addition to the solutions of the individuals often influences individuals of the research. The study might not absolutely need to get rid of his/her impact. He or she should just understand how to comprehend it and utilize it an effective method (Maxwell, 2005). Rigor in-development research moves mutually using the credibility of outcomes of the study. We are able to state that there is research performed meticulously in both qualitative or strategy if it reaches its credibility, that's when the summary it created is recognized as legitimate. Nevertheless, within the post of Sumner and Group (2004: 13), it's created that "the foundation for statements to 'rigor' pertains to the way the methods [in strategy] are utilized; that poorly applied qualitative and quantitative methods can lead to incorrect findings and various methods match various reasons." Rigor begins from producing the study style to creating the study issue then choosing which resources to utilize in addition to which strategy to hire. It's also worth recalling the techniques and resources utilized in improvement study have their various talents and flaws, they're not similarly ideal for all study issues, thus, it's essential the investigator chooses thoroughly based on the ne ed of the study and not just since it may be the simplest to make use of or it's probably the most offered at the minute. Quantity of credibility and rigor varies for each technique/device utilized in either of both stances. When the investigator is regardless together with his/her selection of resources and technique, then your understanding he or she will create could not be legitimate and may possibly not be appropriate to a lot of. I'd prefer to provide shortly my thought on study in-development to finish. At the moment, the strain among scientists in-development industry keeps growing. They nevertheless claim about the primacy of strategy and epistemology they think in. the same as a number of other scientists available, I will neither state which one of the epistemological stances is the greatest one or explain which one of the methodological stances may be the exemplary someone to use for scientific tests. I consider that are efficient and similarly trusted. It's only of utilising the the way of a specific type of study issue an issue. Every technique has flaws and its talents, that's no strategy is ideal. Nevertheless, I understand that some of them may actually create a great-quality study so long as there's rigor of course if credibility risks are avoided.

Effective leaders_WK4 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Effective leaders_WK4 - Research Paper Example Furthermore, given that majority of transportation infrastructure investments are federally funded even though locally implemented, such a piecemeal method halts constrains smooth assimilation of local and state policies with those of the federal government. This then hinders the President and transportation secretary to offer synergies across projects. Furthermore, the existing federal NextGen transportation policies, are steered by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU), which does not help the President to deal with the utilization of economic analysis for the transportation decision-making (Weiner, 2013). Given that the transportation program does not have a greater standardization or lucidity, the President cannot be able to come up with an executive-level modification without substantive legislation. Najeeb Halaby is an example of an effective leader in public administration, since in 1965 as administrator of the independent Federal Aviation Agency; he proposed the creation of Department of Transportation (2013). He saw this as a means of securing decisively the US transportation policy expansion. Thanks to his efforts, the agency has done tremendous job over the years by being part of the executive departments which integrated other administration transportation programs. Secondly, Samuel K. Skinner, a former transportation secretary appointed by President Bush senior, initiated the formation of the National Transportation Policy, as well as the extension of the department responsibility in crisis management reaction. Hence, the handling of subsequent natural and human induced disasters, such as Lockerbie plane bombings in 1988 and Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 were made easier by his policies of maintaining and developing the national transportation system, and to ensure that it

Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Finance - Essay Example ce is still in its infancy with some serious limitations but it still can offer a relatively critical and most important alternative system that can offer the same. My purpose of the study therefore is to study this field at academic level and explore further the relative dynamics and mechanics of Islamic Finance and how it can be appropriately applied at Banks so that Banks and other financial institutions not only diversify their range of options but also engage themselves into non-speculative activities to safeguard the interest of their stakeholders. Since Islamic Finance is unique in the sense that it considers depositors and borrowers as owners therefore the implications of such assumptions make Islamic Finance a more unique blend to study and understand for securing the conventional financial system. I would request admission committee to consider my credentials for this course and allow me admission at PhD level for this course so that I can engage myself into researching and studying one of the most critical approaches to dealing with Financial matters in our daily

The United States as the Hegemon within the World Economy Essay Example for Free

The United States as the Hegemon within the World Economy Essay Introduction Beyond the number of Great Powers that have played a central role in the international system since 1815, there is a body of historical theory which suggests that the working of the system has been critically dependent upon the role played by one central actor- the hegemon- that is responsible for the international order, both political and economic. Such a conception embodies both a theory of continuity, in as much as hegemons are important to the system in different historical settings, but also a theory of change since the rise and fall of hegemonies is a dynamic process. The hegemon plays the leading role in establishing an institutional environment which is favorable to its own interests (free trade, informal empire) but also accepts costs in being the mainstay of the system(providing financial services, a source of capital, and a pattern of military support). Hegemonic Stability and Adaptation Robert Keohane has refined and critiqued the argument that international order requires a hegemon, admits that a leadership role requires political will as well as material resources. This is obvious but important point has remained underdeveloped. From realistic perspective, foreign- policy adaptation is induced by changes in a state’s international power position. Its pace and scope depends on how the changes are interpreted, the relationship between assessment of options is thus key analytic issue. Turning First to constraints, in some classical real politic national leaders face inconsequential domestic impediments; the relevant environment is mainly or exclusively external. For example, rising states typically stretched declining hegemony thin by challenging their geopolitical primacy. This affected Britain dramatically at the turn of the twentieth century. As Japan and the United States built modern navies, Britain lost its global command of the seas. Although the Admiralty could have strengthened its pacific and American squadrons, the naval race with Germany took priority; Britain depleted its non- European fleets to concentrate on the East Atlantic. Hegemonic governments resist adaptation. But this inertia is even more pronounced than for similar states; internal interests and fixed institutional routines are not the only reasons. Governmental and many private elites typically view international relations and their role in them in ways that promote expansion rather than adjustment to constraints. Hegemonic Security System in United States Security hegemons reap advantages by organizing subordinate states. Recent scholarship has focused on economic leadership, while recognizing that a successful economic hagemon requires sufficient military power to protect its partners from threats to their autonomy. Those security arrangements are the context in which adaptation became a U.S. policy issue. Both Cold War blocs have been hegemonic security systems, even if, in retrospect, the Soviet Union lacked the economic strength to be a long- term system leader. For much of the post war period, the â€Å"ordering principle† of each was â€Å"boundary management†- preserving (if not expanding) the original coalition. There have been obvious differences between the two coalitions, as well as between them and traditional territorial imperiums, but key similarities as well. Security hegemonies, like economic ones, are sub systemic; the international systems has not been unipolar since the Roman Empire, if then, and attempts to make it so have invariably been self-defeating. For forty years, NATO has been the core of the American system. Hegemonic security systems likewise provide mutual benefits. Allies deny certain kinds of access to a hegemon’s rivals and perhaps provide it greater global reach. Soviet leaders have generously supplied arms to regional clients to promote their geopolitical arms vise-a visa the United States. Hegemonic states differ from others in two ways. One is the scope and impact of their structural power. Often a dominant state can change the rules rather than adapt its policies to them. Powerful states have more adaptive slack than others. Some times this is simply a function of aggregate capabilities. Even though the Soviet Union equaled and perhaps overtook the United states military during 1970s, American leaders still had the wherewithal to deter most threats, and thus to convince the attentive public that most commitments assumed during the 1940s and 1950s could be maintained. Structural power or relatively low vulnerability also means that hegemons can often force others to adjust to self-serving policies. Consistency as well as continuity is important in hegemonial relationships, and only the hegemon can ensure them. Overall, consistency benefits most members of such coalitions. For smaller states, uniform rules and practices reduce uncertainty and risk aversion. This allowed most industrialized and many developing countries to focus on growth rather than comparative power position during the heyday of Bretton Woods. Decline of Hegemony in United States An important link between regime and hegemony theories is the theory of hegemonic stability first advanced by Charles Kindleberger (Keohane 1984; Gilpin 1987) in his analysis of the global economic problems following the crisis of 1929. In this perspective, particularly popular in the United States, single hagemons fulfill their leadership role better than groups of states. Thus, during the nineteenth century, Great Britain had a positive function as economic hegemon. Though the United States accepted this useful role after World War II, according to this theory, many current problems of the world economy can be traced to its partial loss of leadership capacity. In this perspective, hegemony is not identical to oppressive dominance. In the perception of hegemonic stability theory, hegemons establish international regimes, i.e., orders as a public utility, which dissolve with the decline of hegemony. The neorealist position in the formulation of keohane has modified this thesis. Although the construction of central regimes depends upon a hegemon, once they have become institutionalized they may well survive hegemonic decline. In fact, despite the decline of U.S. hegemony, important international regimes have not come apart completely, although they experienced profound crises. An example of an international regime that has come under pressure during hegemonic decline without fully disintegrating is the General Agreement on taraffis and Trade (GATT), which suffered setbacks during the 1970s and 1980s; within its framework ever more acute economic tensions are played out between North America, Western Europe, and Japan. Reference Clark, lan. (1989). The Hierarchy of States: Reform and Resisitence in the International Order: Cambridge University Press. pg106 Dr. Bornschier, Volker, Bosch. (1996). Western Society in Transition: Transection publishes. London. pg134 Lepgold, Joseph. (1990). The declining Hegemon: The United States and European Defense, 1960-1990. Greewood publishing group. pg34 Mastanduno Micheal, Lake A. David, Ikenberry John G. (1988) The State and American Foreign Economic policy: Cornell University press: pg 41, 48

Payroll System Implementation Essay -- Payroll Software Technology

Payroll System Implementation Missing Images This report will first examine the Testing Process Summary. This will include a definitive test plan which will identify the major functions of the systems software and hardware to be tested as well as the required system outcomes. Secondly, the installation process and training plan summary will be identified. For this portion of the writing, a Gantt chart will be used to identify the steps and related resources needed to implement the system. A narrative explanation that will discuss the impacts of time and conversion will be included. A description of the training plan will also be outlined. The third section of this writing will summarize the company documentation plan. This will include the identification and explanation of all forms of documentation used throughout the project. The chosen documentation for the technical and user sides of the system will be identified. Lastly, the company support and maintenance plan will be summarized. This plan will outline the chose n software, hardware and networks in regards to the responsibilities of each area. The related resources necessary to properly support and maintain the system will also be identified. Testing Process Summary Testing is a required portion of the implementation phase. It is useful in ensuring a quality system is installed. A well-defined plan, known as a Master Test Plan (University of Phoenix, 2002, section 4), should be developed to make sure all system attributes have been tested. The Mobile Meds test plan will test the database, the accounting interface, the employee webpage, and the upload of paycheck information to the bank. Unit testing will be completed on each of the system components. Mo... ...n outlined the chosen software, hardware and networks in regards to the responsibilities of each. The related resources necessary to properly support and maintain the system were also identified. This is perhaps the most important part of the project as it serves as an investment protection policy for the company. It ensures not only that the project implementation is done, but also demonstrates the lengths the company is willing to go to properly implement new projects. Mobile Meds Payroll System Installation Schedule Reference University of Phoenix. (Ed.). (2002). Introduction to business systems development. [University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-text]. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing. Retrieved January 16, 2005, from University of Phoenix, Resource, BSA/375Ââ€"Business Systems Analysis website: https://mycampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp

Tsunami and Love Canal

A  tsunami  (‘harbor wave') or  tidal wave  is a series of water waves (called a  tsunami wave train) caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, usually an ocean, but can occur in  large lakes. Tsunamis are a frequent occurrence in Japan; approximately 195 events have been recorded. Due to the immense volumes of water and energy involved, tsunamis can devastate coastal regions.Earthquakes,  volcanic eruptions  and other  underwater explosions  (including detonations of underwater  nuclear devices), landslides  and other  mass movements,  meteorite ocean impacts or similar impact events, and other disturbances above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami. The  Greek  historian  Thucydides  was the first to relate tsunami to  submarine earthquakes,  but understanding of tsunami's nature remained slim until the 20th century and is the subject of ongoing research. Many early  geological,  geograp hical, and oceanographic  texts refer to tsunamis as â€Å"seismic sea waves. CHARACTERISTICS: While everyday  wind waves  have a  wavelength  (from crest to crest) of about 100  meters (330 ft) and a height of roughly 2  meters (6. 6 ft), a tsunami in the deep ocean has a wavelength of about 200  kilometers (120 mi). Such a wave travels at well over 800  kilometers per hour (500 mph), but due to the enormous wavelength the wave oscillation at any given point takes 20 or 30 minutes to complete a cycle and has amplitude of only about 1  meter (3. 3 ft). This makes tsunamis difficult to detect over deep water. Ships rarely notice their passage.As the tsunami approaches the coast and the waters become shallow,  wave shoaling  compresses the wave and its velocity slows below 80  kilometers per hour (50 mph). Its wavelength diminishes to less than 20  kilometers (12 mi) and its amplitude grows enormously, producing a distinctly visible wave. Since the wave st ill has such a long wavelength, the tsunami may take minutes to reach full height. Except for the very largest tsunamis, the approaching wave does not break (like a  surf break), but rather appears like a fast moving  tidal bore.Open bays and coastlines adjacent to very deep water may shape the tsunami further into a step-like wave with a steep-breaking front. When the tsunami's wave peak reaches the shore, the resulting temporary rise in sea level is termed ‘run up'. Run up is measured in meters above a reference sea level. A large tsunami may feature multiple waves arriving over a period of hours, with significant time between the wave crests. The first wave to reach the shore may not have the highest run up. About 80% of tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean, but are possible wherever there are large bodies of water, including lakes.They are caused by earthquakes, landslides, volcanic explosions, and  bolides. GENERATION MECHANISMS: The principal generation mechanism (o r cause) of a tsunami is the displacement of a substantial volume of water or perturbation of the sea. This displacement of water is usually attributed to earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, or more rarely by meteorites and nuclear tests. The waves formed in this way are then sustained by gravity. It is important to note that  tides  do not play any part in the generation of tsunamis; hence referring to tsunamis as ‘tidal waves' is inaccurate.Seismicity generated tsunamis Tsunamis can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water. Tectonic earthquakes are a particular kind of earthquake that are associated with the earth's crustal deformation; when these earthquakes occur beneath the sea, the water above the deformed area is displaced from its equilibrium position. More specifically, a tsunami can be generated when  thrust faults  associated with  convergent  or destructive  plate boundaries  move abruptl y, resulting in water displacement, due to the vertical component of movement involved.Movement on normal faults will also cause displacement of the seabed, but the size of the largest of such events is normally too small to give rise to a significant tsunami. |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] | |Drawing of  tectonic plate |Overriding plate bulges under |Plate slips, causing |The energy released produces | |boundary  before earthquake. |strain, causing tectonic uplift. |subsidence  and releasing energy |tsunami waves. | | | |into water. | Tsunamis have a small  amplitude  (wave height) offshore, and a very long  wavelength  (often hundreds of kilometers long), which is why they generally pass unnoticed at sea, forming only a slight swell usually about 300  millimeters (12 in) above the normal sea surface. They grow in height when they reach shallower water, in a  wave shoaling  process described below. A tsunami can occur in any tidal state and even at low tide can sti ll inundate coastal areas. On April 1, 1946, a magnitude-7. 8 (Richter scale)  earthquake  occurred near the  Aleutian Islands,  Alaska.It generated a tsunami which inundated  Hilo  on the island of Hawaii’s with a 14  meters (46 ft) high surge. The area where the  earthquake  occurred is where the  Pacific Ocean  floor is  subducting  (or being pushed downwards) under  Alaska. Examples of tsunami at locations away from  convergent boundaries  include  Storegga  about 8,000 years ago,  Grand Banks  1929,  Papua New Guinea  1998 (Tappin, 2001). The Grand Banks and Papua New Guinea tsunamis came from earthquakes which destabilized sediments, causing them to flow into the ocean and generate a tsunami. They dissipated before traveling transoceanic distances.The cause of the Storegga sediment failure is unknown. Possibilities include an overloading of the sediments, an earthquake or a release of gas hydrates (methane etc. ) The  1960 V aldivia earthquake  (Mw  9. 5) (19:11 hrs UTC),  1964 Alaska earthquake  (Mw  9. 2), and  2004 Indian Ocean earthquake  (Mw  9. 2) (00:58:53 UTC) are recent examples of powerful mega thrust  earthquakes that generated tsunamis (known as  teletsunamis) that can cross entire oceans. Smaller (Mw  4. 2) earthquakes in Japan can trigger tsunamis (called  local  and regional tsunamis) that can only devastate nearby coasts, but can do so in only a few minutes.In the 1950s, it was discovered that larger tsunamis than had previously been believed possible could be caused by giant  landslides. These phenomena rapidly displace large water volumes, as energy from falling debris or expansion transfers to the water at a rate faster than the water can absorb. Their existence was confirmed in 1958, when a giant landslide in Lituya Bay,  Alaska, caused the highest wave ever recorded, which had a height of 524 meters (over 1700 feet). The wave didn't travel far, as it st ruck land almost immediately. Two people fishing in the bay were killed, but another boat amazingly managed to ride the wave.Scientists named these waves  mega tsunami. Scientists discovered that extremely large landslides from volcanic island collapses can generate  mega tsunami that can travel trans-oceanic distances. SCALES OF INTENSITY AND MAGNITUDE: As with earthquakes, several attempts have been made to set up scales of tsunami intensity or magnitude to allow comparison between different events. Intensity scales The first scales used routinely to measure the intensity of tsunami were the  Sieberg-Ambraseys scale, used in the  Mediterranean Sea  and the  Imamura-Iida intensity scale, used in the Pacific Ocean.The latter scale was modified by Soloviev, who calculated the Tsunami intensity  I  according to the formula [pic] Where  Hav  is the average wave height along the nearest coast. This scale, known as the  Soloviev-Imamura tsunami intensity scale, is u sed in the global tsunami catalogues compiled by the  NGDC/NOAA  and the Novosibirsk Tsunami Laboratory as the main parameter for the size of the tsunami. Magnitude scales The first scale that genuinely calculated a magnitude for a tsunami, rather than an intensity at a particular location was the ML scale proposed by Murty & Loomis based on the potential energy.Difficulties in calculating the potential energy of the tsunami mean that this scale is rarely used. Abe introduced the  tsunami magnitude scale  Mt, calculated from, [pic] where  h  is the maximum tsunami-wave amplitude (in m) measured by a tide gauge at a distance  R  from the epicenter,  a,  b  &  D  are constants used to make the Mt  scale match as closely as possible with the moment magnitude scale. WARNINGS AND PREDICTIONS: Drawbacks can serve as a brief warning. People who observe drawback (many survivors report an accompanying sucking sound), can survive only if they immediately run for hi gh ground or seek the upper floors of nearby buildings.In 2004, ten-year old  Tilly Smith  of  Surrey,  England, was on  Maikhao beach  in  Phuket,  Thailand  with her parents and sister, and having learned about tsunamis recently in school, told her family that a tsunami might be imminent. Her parents warned others minutes before the wave arrived, saving dozens of lives. She credited her geography teacher, Andrew Kearney. In the  2004 Indian Ocean tsunami  drawback was not reported on the African coast or any other eastern coasts it reached. This was because the wave moved downwards on the eastern side of the fault line and upwards on the western side.The western pulse hit coastal Africa and other western areas. A tsunami cannot be precisely predicted, even if the magnitude and location of an earthquake is known. Geologists,  oceanographers, and seismologists  analyze each earthquake and based on many factors may or may not issue a tsunami warning. However , there are some warning signs of an impending tsunami, and automated systems can provide warnings immediately after an earthquake in time to save lives. One of the most successful systems uses bottom pressure sensors that are attached to buoys. The sensors constantly monitor the pressure of the overlying water column.This is deduced through the calculation: [pic] Where, P  = the overlying  pressure  in Newton per meter square, ? = the  density  of the  seawater = 1. 1 x 103  kg/m3, g  = the  acceleration due to gravity = 9. 8 m/s2  and h  = the height of the water column in meters. Hence for a water column of 5,000 m depth the overlying pressure is equal to [pic] Or about 5500  tonnes-force  per square meter. Regions with a high tsunami risk typically use  tsunami warning systems  to warn the population before the wave reaches land. On the west coast of the United States, which is prone to Pacific Ocean tsunami, warning signs indicate evacuation routes .In Japan, the community is well-educated about earthquakes and tsunamis, and along the Japanese shorelines the tsunami warning signs are reminders of the natural hazards together with a network of warning sirens, typically at the top of the cliff of surroundings hills. The  Pacific Tsunami Warning System  is based in  Honolulu,  Hawaii. It monitors Pacific Ocean seismic activity. A sufficiently large earthquake magnitude and other information trigger a tsunami warning. While the seduction zones around the Pacific are seismically active, not all earthquakes generate tsunami.Computers assist in analyzing the tsunami risk of every earthquake that occurs in the Pacific Ocean and the adjoining land masses. |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] | |Tsunami hazard sign |A tsunami warning sign on |The monument to the victims of |Tsunami memorial | |atBamfield,  British Columbia |a  seawall  in  Kamakura, Japan, |tsunami at Laupahoehoe,  Hawaii |inKanyakumari  beach | | |2004. | | |As a direct result of the Indian Ocean tsunami, a re-appraisal of the tsunami threat for all coastal areas is being undertaken by national governments and the United Nations Disaster Mitigation Committee. A tsunami warning system is being installed in the Indian Ocean. Computer models can predict tsunami arrival, usually within minutes of the arrival time. Bottom pressure sensors relay information in real time. Based on these pressure readings and other seismic information and the seafloor's shape and coastal  topography, the models estimate the amplitude and surge height of the approaching tsunami.All Pacific Rim countries collaborate in the Tsunami Warning System and most regularly practice evacuation and other procedures. In Japan, such preparation is mandatory for government, local authorities, emergency services and the population. Some zoologists hypothesize that some animal species have an ability to sense subsonic  Rayleigh waves  from an earthquake or a tsunami. If c orrect, monitoring their behavior could provide advance warning of earthquakes, tsunami etc. However, the evidence is controversial and is not widely accepted.There are unsubstantiated claims about the Lisbon quake that some animals escaped to higher ground, while many other animals in the same areas drowned. The phenomenon was also noted by media sources in  Sri Lanka  in the  2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. [21][22]  It is possible that certain animals (e. g. ,  elephants) may have heard the sounds of the tsunami as it approached the coast. The elephants' reaction was to move away from the approaching noise. By contrast, some humans went to the shore to investigate and many drowned as a result. It is not possible to prevent a tsunami.However, in some tsunami-prone countries some  earthquake engineering  measures have been taken to reduce the damage caused on shore. Japan  built many tsunami walls of up to 4. 5  metres (15 ft) to protect populated coastal areas. Oth er localities have built  floodgates  and channels to redirect the water from incoming tsunami. However, their effectiveness has been questioned, as tsunami often overtop the barriers. For instance, the  Okushiri, Hokkaido tsunami  which struck  Okushiri Island  of  Hokkaido  within two to five minutes of the  earthquake on July 12, 1993  created waves as much as 30  metres (100 ft) tall—as high as a 10-story building.The port town of Aonae was completely surrounded by a tsunami wall, but the waves washed right over the wall and destroyed all the wood-framed structures in the area. The wall may have succeeded in slowing down and moderating the height of the tsunami, but it did not prevent major destruction and loss of life. [23] Natural factors such as shoreline tree cover can mitigate tsunami effects. Some locations in the path of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami escaped almost unscathed because trees such as  coconut palms  and  mangroves  absorbe d the tsunami's energy.In one striking example, the village of  Naluvedapathy  in India's  Tamil Nadu  region suffered only minimal damage and few deaths because the wave broke against a forest of 80,244 trees planted along the shoreline in 2002 in a bid to enter the  Guinness Book of Records. [24]  Environmentalists have suggested tree planting along tsunami-prone seacoasts. Trees require years to grow to a useful size, but such plantations could offer a much cheaper and longer-lasting means of tsunami mitigation than artificial barriers. The Love Canal chemical waste dumpIn 1920 Hooker Chemical had turned an area in Niagara Falls into a municipal and chemical disposal site. In 1953 the site was filled and relatively modern methods were applied to cover it. A thick layer of impermeable red clay sealed the dump, preventing chemicals from leaking out of the landfill. A city near the dumpsite wanted to buy it for urban expansion. Despite the warnings of Hooker the city eve ntually bought the site for the meager amount of 1 dollar. Hooker could not sell for more, because they did not want to earn money off a project so clearly unwise.The city began to dig to develop a sewer, damaging the red clay cap that covered the dumpsite below. Blocks of homes and a school were built and the neighborhood was named Love Canal. Love Canal seemed like a regular neighborhood. The only thing that distinguished this neighborhood from other was the strange odors that often hung in the air and an unusual seepage noticed by inhabitants in their basements and yards. Children in the neighborhood often fell ill. Love Canal families regularly experienced miscarriages and birth defects.Lois Gibbs, an activist, noticed the high occurrence of illness and birth defects in the area and started documenting it. In 1978 newspapers revealed the existence of the chemical waste dump in the Love Canal area and Lois Gibbs started petitioning for closing the school. In August 1978, the clai m succeeded and the NYS Health Department ordered closing of the school when a child suffered from chemical poisoning. When Love Canal was researched over 130 pounds of the highly toxic carcinogenic TCDD, a form of dioxin, was discovered. The total of 20. 00 tons of waste present in the landfill appeared to contain more than 248 different species of chemicals. The waste mainly consisted of pesticide residues and chemical weapons research refuse. The chemicals had entered homes, sewers, yards and creeks and Gibbs decided it was time for the more than 900 families to be moved away from the location. Eventually President Carter provided funds to move all the families to a safer area. Hooker’s parent company was sued and settled for 20 million dollars. Despite protests by Gibbs’s organization some of the houses in Love Canal went up for sale some 20 years later.The majority of the houses are on the market now and the neighborhood may become inhabited again after 20 years o f abandonment. The houses in Love Canal are hard to sell, despite a renaming of the neighborhood. It suffered such a bad reputation after the incident that banks refused mortgages on the houses. None of the chemicals have been removed from the dumpsite. It has been resealed and the surrounding area was cleaned and declared safe. Hooker’s mother company paid an additional 230 million dollars to finance this cleanup. They are now responsible for the management of the dumpsite.Today, the Love Canal dumpsite is known as one of the major environmental disasters of the century. **** Love Canal is an abandoned canal in Niagara County, New York, where a huge amount of toxic waste was buried. The waste was composed of at least 300 different chemicals, totaling an estimated 20,000 metric tons. The existence of the waste was discovered in the 1970s when families living in homes subsequently built next to the site found chemical wastes seeping up through the ground into their basements, forcing them to eventually abandon their homes.Love Canal was used from the 1940s through the 1950s by the Hooker Chemical Company and the city of Niagara Falls, among others, to dispose of their hazardous and municipal wastes and other refuse. The canal was surrounded by clay and was thought at the time to be a safe place for disposal—and, in fact, burying chemicals in the canal was probably safer than many other methods and sites used for chemical disposal at the time. In 1953, the Niagara Falls Board of Education bought the land-fill for $1 and constructed an elementary school with playing fields on the site.Roads and sewer lines were added and, in the early 1970s, single-family homes were built adjacent to the site. Following a couple of heavy rains in the mid-1970s, the canal flooded and chemicals were observed on the surface of the site and in the basements of houses abutting the site. Newspaper coverage, investigations by the State of New York and by the U. S. Environm ental Protection Agency, combined with pressure from the district's U. S. congressional representative and outrage on the part of local residents, led to the declaration of a health emergency involving â€Å"great and imminent peril to the health of the general public. Ultimately, in August, 1978, a decision was made by Governor Hugh Carey, supported by the White House, to evacuate the residents and purchase 240 homes surrounding the site. Shortly thereafter, the residents of nearby homes that did not immediately abut the site also became concerned about their health and conducted a health survey that purported to show an increase in the occurrence of various diseases and problems such as birth defects and miscarriages, which were attributed to chemical exposures.A great controversy ensued over whether the observations were real or reflected normal rates of such problems, and whether chemical exposures had, in fact, occurred. Eventually, political pressure resulted in families bein g given an opportunity to leave and have their homes purchased by the State. About 70 homes remained occupied in 1989 by families who chose not to move. The controversy at Love Canal followed on the heels of the heightened awareness that occurred in the 1960s about environmental contamination, and it contributed to public and regulatory concern about hazardous wastes, waste disposal, and disclosure of such practices.Such concerns led Congress to pass the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1976, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund bill, in 1980. When CERCLA was passed, few were aware of the extent of the problem potentially created by years of inappropriate or inadequate hazardous waste disposal practices. Since implementing CERCLA, the U. S.Environmental Protection Agency has identified more than 40,000 potentially contaminated â€Å"Superfundâ⠂¬  sites. The Gulf War In August 1990 Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, starting the Gulf War in which an allegiance of 34 nations worldwide was involved. In January  1991  of the Gulf War, Iraqi forces committed two environmental disasters. The first was a major oil spill 16 kilometers off the shore of Kuwait by dumping oil from several tankers and opening the valves of an offshore terminal. The second was the setting fire to 650 oil wells in Kuwait.The apparent strategic goal of the action was to prevent a potential landing by US Marines. American air strikes on January 26 destroyed pipelines to prevent further spillage into the Gulf. This however seemed to make little difference. Approximately one million tons of crude oil was already lost to the environment, making this the largest oil spill of human history. In the spring of 1991, as many as 500 oil wells were still burning and the last oil well was not extinguished until a few months later, in November.The oil spills did cons iderable damage to life in the Persian Gulf (see picture). Several months after the spill, the poisoned waters killed 20. 000 seabirds and had caused severe damage to local marine flora and fauna. The fires in the oil wells caused immense amounts of soot and toxic fumes to enter the atmosphere. This had great effects on the health of the local population and biota for several years. The pollution also had a possible impact on local weather patterns. Tsunami and Love Canal A  tsunami  (‘harbor wave') or  tidal wave  is a series of water waves (called a  tsunami wave train) caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, usually an ocean, but can occur in  large lakes. Tsunamis are a frequent occurrence in Japan; approximately 195 events have been recorded. Due to the immense volumes of water and energy involved, tsunamis can devastate coastal regions.Earthquakes,  volcanic eruptions  and other  underwater explosions  (including detonations of underwater  nuclear devices), landslides  and other  mass movements,  meteorite ocean impacts or similar impact events, and other disturbances above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami. The  Greek  historian  Thucydides  was the first to relate tsunami to  submarine earthquakes,  but understanding of tsunami's nature remained slim until the 20th century and is the subject of ongoing research. Many early  geological,  geograp hical, and oceanographic  texts refer to tsunamis as â€Å"seismic sea waves. CHARACTERISTICS: While everyday  wind waves  have a  wavelength  (from crest to crest) of about 100  meters (330 ft) and a height of roughly 2  meters (6. 6 ft), a tsunami in the deep ocean has a wavelength of about 200  kilometers (120 mi). Such a wave travels at well over 800  kilometers per hour (500 mph), but due to the enormous wavelength the wave oscillation at any given point takes 20 or 30 minutes to complete a cycle and has amplitude of only about 1  meter (3. 3 ft). This makes tsunamis difficult to detect over deep water. Ships rarely notice their passage.As the tsunami approaches the coast and the waters become shallow,  wave shoaling  compresses the wave and its velocity slows below 80  kilometers per hour (50 mph). Its wavelength diminishes to less than 20  kilometers (12 mi) and its amplitude grows enormously, producing a distinctly visible wave. Since the wave st ill has such a long wavelength, the tsunami may take minutes to reach full height. Except for the very largest tsunamis, the approaching wave does not break (like a  surf break), but rather appears like a fast moving  tidal bore.Open bays and coastlines adjacent to very deep water may shape the tsunami further into a step-like wave with a steep-breaking front. When the tsunami's wave peak reaches the shore, the resulting temporary rise in sea level is termed ‘run up'. Run up is measured in meters above a reference sea level. A large tsunami may feature multiple waves arriving over a period of hours, with significant time between the wave crests. The first wave to reach the shore may not have the highest run up. About 80% of tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean, but are possible wherever there are large bodies of water, including lakes.They are caused by earthquakes, landslides, volcanic explosions, and  bolides. GENERATION MECHANISMS: The principal generation mechanism (o r cause) of a tsunami is the displacement of a substantial volume of water or perturbation of the sea. This displacement of water is usually attributed to earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, or more rarely by meteorites and nuclear tests. The waves formed in this way are then sustained by gravity. It is important to note that  tides  do not play any part in the generation of tsunamis; hence referring to tsunamis as ‘tidal waves' is inaccurate.Seismicity generated tsunamis Tsunamis can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water. Tectonic earthquakes are a particular kind of earthquake that are associated with the earth's crustal deformation; when these earthquakes occur beneath the sea, the water above the deformed area is displaced from its equilibrium position. More specifically, a tsunami can be generated when  thrust faults  associated with  convergent  or destructive  plate boundaries  move abruptl y, resulting in water displacement, due to the vertical component of movement involved.Movement on normal faults will also cause displacement of the seabed, but the size of the largest of such events is normally too small to give rise to a significant tsunami. |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] | |Drawing of  tectonic plate |Overriding plate bulges under |Plate slips, causing |The energy released produces | |boundary  before earthquake. |strain, causing tectonic uplift. |subsidence  and releasing energy |tsunami waves. | | | |into water. | Tsunamis have a small  amplitude  (wave height) offshore, and a very long  wavelength  (often hundreds of kilometers long), which is why they generally pass unnoticed at sea, forming only a slight swell usually about 300  millimeters (12 in) above the normal sea surface. They grow in height when they reach shallower water, in a  wave shoaling  process described below. A tsunami can occur in any tidal state and even at low tide can sti ll inundate coastal areas. On April 1, 1946, a magnitude-7. 8 (Richter scale)  earthquake  occurred near the  Aleutian Islands,  Alaska.It generated a tsunami which inundated  Hilo  on the island of Hawaii’s with a 14  meters (46 ft) high surge. The area where the  earthquake  occurred is where the  Pacific Ocean  floor is  subducting  (or being pushed downwards) under  Alaska. Examples of tsunami at locations away from  convergent boundaries  include  Storegga  about 8,000 years ago,  Grand Banks  1929,  Papua New Guinea  1998 (Tappin, 2001). The Grand Banks and Papua New Guinea tsunamis came from earthquakes which destabilized sediments, causing them to flow into the ocean and generate a tsunami. They dissipated before traveling transoceanic distances.The cause of the Storegga sediment failure is unknown. Possibilities include an overloading of the sediments, an earthquake or a release of gas hydrates (methane etc. ) The  1960 V aldivia earthquake  (Mw  9. 5) (19:11 hrs UTC),  1964 Alaska earthquake  (Mw  9. 2), and  2004 Indian Ocean earthquake  (Mw  9. 2) (00:58:53 UTC) are recent examples of powerful mega thrust  earthquakes that generated tsunamis (known as  teletsunamis) that can cross entire oceans. Smaller (Mw  4. 2) earthquakes in Japan can trigger tsunamis (called  local  and regional tsunamis) that can only devastate nearby coasts, but can do so in only a few minutes.In the 1950s, it was discovered that larger tsunamis than had previously been believed possible could be caused by giant  landslides. These phenomena rapidly displace large water volumes, as energy from falling debris or expansion transfers to the water at a rate faster than the water can absorb. Their existence was confirmed in 1958, when a giant landslide in Lituya Bay,  Alaska, caused the highest wave ever recorded, which had a height of 524 meters (over 1700 feet). The wave didn't travel far, as it st ruck land almost immediately. Two people fishing in the bay were killed, but another boat amazingly managed to ride the wave.Scientists named these waves  mega tsunami. Scientists discovered that extremely large landslides from volcanic island collapses can generate  mega tsunami that can travel trans-oceanic distances. SCALES OF INTENSITY AND MAGNITUDE: As with earthquakes, several attempts have been made to set up scales of tsunami intensity or magnitude to allow comparison between different events. Intensity scales The first scales used routinely to measure the intensity of tsunami were the  Sieberg-Ambraseys scale, used in the  Mediterranean Sea  and the  Imamura-Iida intensity scale, used in the Pacific Ocean.The latter scale was modified by Soloviev, who calculated the Tsunami intensity  I  according to the formula [pic] Where  Hav  is the average wave height along the nearest coast. This scale, known as the  Soloviev-Imamura tsunami intensity scale, is u sed in the global tsunami catalogues compiled by the  NGDC/NOAA  and the Novosibirsk Tsunami Laboratory as the main parameter for the size of the tsunami. Magnitude scales The first scale that genuinely calculated a magnitude for a tsunami, rather than an intensity at a particular location was the ML scale proposed by Murty & Loomis based on the potential energy.Difficulties in calculating the potential energy of the tsunami mean that this scale is rarely used. Abe introduced the  tsunami magnitude scale  Mt, calculated from, [pic] where  h  is the maximum tsunami-wave amplitude (in m) measured by a tide gauge at a distance  R  from the epicenter,  a,  b  &  D  are constants used to make the Mt  scale match as closely as possible with the moment magnitude scale. WARNINGS AND PREDICTIONS: Drawbacks can serve as a brief warning. People who observe drawback (many survivors report an accompanying sucking sound), can survive only if they immediately run for hi gh ground or seek the upper floors of nearby buildings.In 2004, ten-year old  Tilly Smith  of  Surrey,  England, was on  Maikhao beach  in  Phuket,  Thailand  with her parents and sister, and having learned about tsunamis recently in school, told her family that a tsunami might be imminent. Her parents warned others minutes before the wave arrived, saving dozens of lives. She credited her geography teacher, Andrew Kearney. In the  2004 Indian Ocean tsunami  drawback was not reported on the African coast or any other eastern coasts it reached. This was because the wave moved downwards on the eastern side of the fault line and upwards on the western side.The western pulse hit coastal Africa and other western areas. A tsunami cannot be precisely predicted, even if the magnitude and location of an earthquake is known. Geologists,  oceanographers, and seismologists  analyze each earthquake and based on many factors may or may not issue a tsunami warning. However , there are some warning signs of an impending tsunami, and automated systems can provide warnings immediately after an earthquake in time to save lives. One of the most successful systems uses bottom pressure sensors that are attached to buoys. The sensors constantly monitor the pressure of the overlying water column.This is deduced through the calculation: [pic] Where, P  = the overlying  pressure  in Newton per meter square, ? = the  density  of the  seawater = 1. 1 x 103  kg/m3, g  = the  acceleration due to gravity = 9. 8 m/s2  and h  = the height of the water column in meters. Hence for a water column of 5,000 m depth the overlying pressure is equal to [pic] Or about 5500  tonnes-force  per square meter. Regions with a high tsunami risk typically use  tsunami warning systems  to warn the population before the wave reaches land. On the west coast of the United States, which is prone to Pacific Ocean tsunami, warning signs indicate evacuation routes .In Japan, the community is well-educated about earthquakes and tsunamis, and along the Japanese shorelines the tsunami warning signs are reminders of the natural hazards together with a network of warning sirens, typically at the top of the cliff of surroundings hills. The  Pacific Tsunami Warning System  is based in  Honolulu,  Hawaii. It monitors Pacific Ocean seismic activity. A sufficiently large earthquake magnitude and other information trigger a tsunami warning. While the seduction zones around the Pacific are seismically active, not all earthquakes generate tsunami.Computers assist in analyzing the tsunami risk of every earthquake that occurs in the Pacific Ocean and the adjoining land masses. |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] | |Tsunami hazard sign |A tsunami warning sign on |The monument to the victims of |Tsunami memorial | |atBamfield,  British Columbia |a  seawall  in  Kamakura, Japan, |tsunami at Laupahoehoe,  Hawaii |inKanyakumari  beach | | |2004. | | |As a direct result of the Indian Ocean tsunami, a re-appraisal of the tsunami threat for all coastal areas is being undertaken by national governments and the United Nations Disaster Mitigation Committee. A tsunami warning system is being installed in the Indian Ocean. Computer models can predict tsunami arrival, usually within minutes of the arrival time. Bottom pressure sensors relay information in real time. Based on these pressure readings and other seismic information and the seafloor's shape and coastal  topography, the models estimate the amplitude and surge height of the approaching tsunami.All Pacific Rim countries collaborate in the Tsunami Warning System and most regularly practice evacuation and other procedures. In Japan, such preparation is mandatory for government, local authorities, emergency services and the population. Some zoologists hypothesize that some animal species have an ability to sense subsonic  Rayleigh waves  from an earthquake or a tsunami. If c orrect, monitoring their behavior could provide advance warning of earthquakes, tsunami etc. However, the evidence is controversial and is not widely accepted.There are unsubstantiated claims about the Lisbon quake that some animals escaped to higher ground, while many other animals in the same areas drowned. The phenomenon was also noted by media sources in  Sri Lanka  in the  2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. [21][22]  It is possible that certain animals (e. g. ,  elephants) may have heard the sounds of the tsunami as it approached the coast. The elephants' reaction was to move away from the approaching noise. By contrast, some humans went to the shore to investigate and many drowned as a result. It is not possible to prevent a tsunami.However, in some tsunami-prone countries some  earthquake engineering  measures have been taken to reduce the damage caused on shore. Japan  built many tsunami walls of up to 4. 5  metres (15 ft) to protect populated coastal areas. Oth er localities have built  floodgates  and channels to redirect the water from incoming tsunami. However, their effectiveness has been questioned, as tsunami often overtop the barriers. For instance, the  Okushiri, Hokkaido tsunami  which struck  Okushiri Island  of  Hokkaido  within two to five minutes of the  earthquake on July 12, 1993  created waves as much as 30  metres (100 ft) tall—as high as a 10-story building.The port town of Aonae was completely surrounded by a tsunami wall, but the waves washed right over the wall and destroyed all the wood-framed structures in the area. The wall may have succeeded in slowing down and moderating the height of the tsunami, but it did not prevent major destruction and loss of life. [23] Natural factors such as shoreline tree cover can mitigate tsunami effects. Some locations in the path of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami escaped almost unscathed because trees such as  coconut palms  and  mangroves  absorbe d the tsunami's energy.In one striking example, the village of  Naluvedapathy  in India's  Tamil Nadu  region suffered only minimal damage and few deaths because the wave broke against a forest of 80,244 trees planted along the shoreline in 2002 in a bid to enter the  Guinness Book of Records. [24]  Environmentalists have suggested tree planting along tsunami-prone seacoasts. Trees require years to grow to a useful size, but such plantations could offer a much cheaper and longer-lasting means of tsunami mitigation than artificial barriers. The Love Canal chemical waste dumpIn 1920 Hooker Chemical had turned an area in Niagara Falls into a municipal and chemical disposal site. In 1953 the site was filled and relatively modern methods were applied to cover it. A thick layer of impermeable red clay sealed the dump, preventing chemicals from leaking out of the landfill. A city near the dumpsite wanted to buy it for urban expansion. Despite the warnings of Hooker the city eve ntually bought the site for the meager amount of 1 dollar. Hooker could not sell for more, because they did not want to earn money off a project so clearly unwise.The city began to dig to develop a sewer, damaging the red clay cap that covered the dumpsite below. Blocks of homes and a school were built and the neighborhood was named Love Canal. Love Canal seemed like a regular neighborhood. The only thing that distinguished this neighborhood from other was the strange odors that often hung in the air and an unusual seepage noticed by inhabitants in their basements and yards. Children in the neighborhood often fell ill. Love Canal families regularly experienced miscarriages and birth defects.Lois Gibbs, an activist, noticed the high occurrence of illness and birth defects in the area and started documenting it. In 1978 newspapers revealed the existence of the chemical waste dump in the Love Canal area and Lois Gibbs started petitioning for closing the school. In August 1978, the clai m succeeded and the NYS Health Department ordered closing of the school when a child suffered from chemical poisoning. When Love Canal was researched over 130 pounds of the highly toxic carcinogenic TCDD, a form of dioxin, was discovered. The total of 20. 00 tons of waste present in the landfill appeared to contain more than 248 different species of chemicals. The waste mainly consisted of pesticide residues and chemical weapons research refuse. The chemicals had entered homes, sewers, yards and creeks and Gibbs decided it was time for the more than 900 families to be moved away from the location. Eventually President Carter provided funds to move all the families to a safer area. Hooker’s parent company was sued and settled for 20 million dollars. Despite protests by Gibbs’s organization some of the houses in Love Canal went up for sale some 20 years later.The majority of the houses are on the market now and the neighborhood may become inhabited again after 20 years o f abandonment. The houses in Love Canal are hard to sell, despite a renaming of the neighborhood. It suffered such a bad reputation after the incident that banks refused mortgages on the houses. None of the chemicals have been removed from the dumpsite. It has been resealed and the surrounding area was cleaned and declared safe. Hooker’s mother company paid an additional 230 million dollars to finance this cleanup. They are now responsible for the management of the dumpsite.Today, the Love Canal dumpsite is known as one of the major environmental disasters of the century. **** Love Canal is an abandoned canal in Niagara County, New York, where a huge amount of toxic waste was buried. The waste was composed of at least 300 different chemicals, totaling an estimated 20,000 metric tons. The existence of the waste was discovered in the 1970s when families living in homes subsequently built next to the site found chemical wastes seeping up through the ground into their basements, forcing them to eventually abandon their homes.Love Canal was used from the 1940s through the 1950s by the Hooker Chemical Company and the city of Niagara Falls, among others, to dispose of their hazardous and municipal wastes and other refuse. The canal was surrounded by clay and was thought at the time to be a safe place for disposal—and, in fact, burying chemicals in the canal was probably safer than many other methods and sites used for chemical disposal at the time. In 1953, the Niagara Falls Board of Education bought the land-fill for $1 and constructed an elementary school with playing fields on the site.Roads and sewer lines were added and, in the early 1970s, single-family homes were built adjacent to the site. Following a couple of heavy rains in the mid-1970s, the canal flooded and chemicals were observed on the surface of the site and in the basements of houses abutting the site. Newspaper coverage, investigations by the State of New York and by the U. S. Environm ental Protection Agency, combined with pressure from the district's U. S. congressional representative and outrage on the part of local residents, led to the declaration of a health emergency involving â€Å"great and imminent peril to the health of the general public. Ultimately, in August, 1978, a decision was made by Governor Hugh Carey, supported by the White House, to evacuate the residents and purchase 240 homes surrounding the site. Shortly thereafter, the residents of nearby homes that did not immediately abut the site also became concerned about their health and conducted a health survey that purported to show an increase in the occurrence of various diseases and problems such as birth defects and miscarriages, which were attributed to chemical exposures.A great controversy ensued over whether the observations were real or reflected normal rates of such problems, and whether chemical exposures had, in fact, occurred. Eventually, political pressure resulted in families bein g given an opportunity to leave and have their homes purchased by the State. About 70 homes remained occupied in 1989 by families who chose not to move. The controversy at Love Canal followed on the heels of the heightened awareness that occurred in the 1960s about environmental contamination, and it contributed to public and regulatory concern about hazardous wastes, waste disposal, and disclosure of such practices.Such concerns led Congress to pass the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1976, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund bill, in 1980. When CERCLA was passed, few were aware of the extent of the problem potentially created by years of inappropriate or inadequate hazardous waste disposal practices. Since implementing CERCLA, the U. S.Environmental Protection Agency has identified more than 40,000 potentially contaminated â€Å"Superfundâ⠂¬  sites. The Gulf War In August 1990 Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, starting the Gulf War in which an allegiance of 34 nations worldwide was involved. In January  1991  of the Gulf War, Iraqi forces committed two environmental disasters. The first was a major oil spill 16 kilometers off the shore of Kuwait by dumping oil from several tankers and opening the valves of an offshore terminal. The second was the setting fire to 650 oil wells in Kuwait.The apparent strategic goal of the action was to prevent a potential landing by US Marines. American air strikes on January 26 destroyed pipelines to prevent further spillage into the Gulf. This however seemed to make little difference. Approximately one million tons of crude oil was already lost to the environment, making this the largest oil spill of human history. In the spring of 1991, as many as 500 oil wells were still burning and the last oil well was not extinguished until a few months later, in November.The oil spills did cons iderable damage to life in the Persian Gulf (see picture). Several months after the spill, the poisoned waters killed 20. 000 seabirds and had caused severe damage to local marine flora and fauna. The fires in the oil wells caused immense amounts of soot and toxic fumes to enter the atmosphere. This had great effects on the health of the local population and biota for several years. The pollution also had a possible impact on local weather patterns.