I got an assignment on Business Law due 15 hrs

Final Paper for GEOL 301

The final project is broken up into two parts: a short answer section and a long essay section. In the first section, choose three of the six topics. Within each topic, all questions must be answered.

In section two, you will choose one topic (and a location for questions 1 and 2, if you choose to answer one of these) from a list I have provided and write an essay response. If you prefer to write about a different location (or events), please email me to request approval first. There is no page requirement for the essay portion - Quality rather than quantity is preferred.

General information:

Submission: Please submit this as a Word document on the submission assignment on CANVAS.

Format:

· Times New Roman font

· 12 font size

· Double spaced

· Word document (.doc or .docx) only – no pdf or pages!

Section one:

Short answer response, 1-2 paragraphs maximum per question. Please label each question. Include references used.

Follow the example format listed below:

Topic: Q1

Written response goes here.

Topic: Q4

Written response goes here.

(and so on…)

Section two:

Essay response. Follow the format listed below:

Title: (Should include questions and location for essay questions 1 and 2, if you choose to answer one of these)

a) ….written response….

b)…..written response…..

c)…and so on!

d)

e)

F)

References: Please use the GSA, MLA, or APA format for your references.

Turnitin: A limit of 20% in total on answers.

Deadline: 12th July 2022 11:59 pm.

Section one 60 pts (20 pts each topic)

Section one is a short answer section. Choose three of the six topics to answer. Please list the reference used. References help build a stronger argument!

Q1 San Francisco:

Source: Business Insider (2016)

Buildings in San Francisco are designed to withstand earthquakes due to the proximity to the San Andreas Fault. However, buildings in the east coast, such as in New York City, do not have these building codes yet. The cost of designing buildings that can withstand earthquakes is not cheap. Discuss and explain whether or not you support the idea of retrofitting the buildings in New York City with the earthquake standards of San Francisco.

Q2 Yellowstone Volcano:

Source: USGS

Following the last eruption of the Yellowstone volcano ~610,000 years ago, volcanic ash covered most of the western half of the United States (Lava Creek ash bed). This was a catastrophic event for the life that existed there at the time! However, we should not be too worried about the next eruption occurring anytime soon.

Using online sources, describe what a hotspot is as well as the migration of the Yellowstone hotspot from the initial spot to its current location. Next, explain how scientists know the extent of the ash fall and the timing of the last eruption.

Hint: You can try Google Scholar or legitimate news sources to find detailed information about Yellowstone.

Q3 Los Angeles River:

Channelized Los Angeles River Paint Branch River, Maryland

Source: GTA, inc.

This question focuses on river channelization vs restoration. Most of the Los Angeles River is flowing through a concrete channel system. Many other rivers in the United States are adopting a natural channel restoration process, such as placing boulders around the banks. Discuss the pros and cons of both channelization and restoration - these can include economic, ecological, public health, aesthetics, and many other factors. Additionally, provide reasoning for which of these river management practices you think would be beneficial to the people living near the river in the long run.

Q4 Mud Creek Landslide:

Source: NASA ( https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/144518/drought-then-deluge-turned-a-stable-landslide-into-disaster )

Slow-moving landslides (creep) are one of the most dangerous types of landslides due to the low rate of motion. One example which occurred along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) was the Mud Creek Landslide in 2017. No life was lost due to the swift action taken by CALTRANS. However, the landslide blocked road accessibility throughout Big Sur for weeks.

Discuss whether you would rather have the PCH relocated further inland away from the slow-moving landslides through the rougher, mountainous terrain or if you think the PCH should remain where it is and have CALTRANS to clean up and build around each landslide as they occur.

Hint: Read the attached article. You can discuss about the economic and social effects.

Q5 Freshwater Pumping:

Source: The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEEF)

Freshwater pumping close to coastal areas can promote saltwater intrusion which then leads to water contamination. Florida is one of the states that has been dealing with saltwater intrusion for a considerable amount of time. Using any trustworthy resources that you can find, suggest at least one solution to prevent (or reduce) the impact of saltwater intrusion and explain how the solution works. Next, include the pros and cons of the method(s) you listed.

Hint: Providing sources will help, and examples of success/failure are useful!

Q6 Ridgecrest:

The 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake was a reminder to the people that Los Angeles is surrounded by faults. Scientists have been using social media (especially Twitter) to share their findings on this earthquake. One example was comparing satellite imagery to help field geologists navigate to areas where the fault ruptured. You can read the linked Twitter thread on how the geology community responded to the earthquake here: ( LA Times twitter thread ).

Based on what you learned from the Week 5 Earthquake discussion, give three suggestions on how geologists can reach out to a larger audience to discuss their findings (such as an earthquake) and what you expect the outcomes from the suggestions you provided would be.

Hint: There are no wrong answers here if it sounds logical and applicable!

Section two (Essay questions) 40 pts

Section two is a long-answer essay question section. Choose one of the four topics listed below, and answer all questions within the chosen topic. Reference must be included and cited in GSA format. There is no length/page requirement, but you must ensure each question within your topic has been answered in your written response.

The locations listed in the questions are examples you can use. Email me if you prefer to do another event. Images are recommended !

1. Earthquakes: (Locations to choose from: Ridgecrest, California; Central Papua New Guinea; Palu, Indonesia; Mexico) – Sources needed for all questions.

a. Choose an earthquake from the list of locations, and then list the type of faulting, magnitude, coordinates and location, duration of shaking, and shaking intensity. List whether there were seismically triggered natural hazards such as tsunami, landslides, or liquefaction?

b. How many aftershocks occurred one month after the event? What was the largest aftershock magnitude? Different sites have different numbers!

c. Were there any past earthquakes that were the same size as or larger than the earthquake you chose in that location? If yes, list the magnitudes and dates.

d. Provide your sources for the earthquake and any past earthquake(s) that you chose, as well as a photo/screenshot of the location on a map. Google Earth may be useful here!

e. Which do you think is more important to the local people affected by an earthquake - the properties of an earthquake or the aftermath of the earthquake? Provide your reasons.

f. Some countries by the ocean (like Japan ) have enacted wall barriers to prevent tsunamis. However, this can cause tourism and the local economy to suffer. List your reasons for whether or not you support the wall barriers placed along the shores of Oregon.

Hint: Be persuasive with facts. There are links posted at the bottom of this file that will help. You can plot the earthquakes on Google Earth for question 1d if you so choose.

2. Volcano: (Locations to choose from: Mt Kilauea, Anak Krakatau, Fuego, Mt Etna, Mt. St. Helens) – Sources needed for all questions.

a. What is the type of volcano you have chosen? How long has it been active (estimated minimum age)?

b. What was the Volcanic Explosive Index (VEI) of the event? When was the last eruption and what is the current status?

c. What were the expected or recorded economic and social impacts caused by the most recent eruption?

d. Bali, Indonesia has one of the most active volcanoes. Every time there is an eruption, the airport closes, and the residents must take shelter. Do you think people should be relocated and all tourism stopped from entering the island or other places of this kind? Provide your reasons supporting your decision.

e. Do you think that the VEI correlates to the amount of destruction or life lost? Give your reasons.

Hint: VEI = Volcano Explosive Index. You can use news articles to find out more

about this!

3. Water: You are a geologist hired by a town called Amethyst (pop: 1,975) to determine if they have contamination in their water source (a river). You found that the water source is contaminated by a mine nearby in a process called acid mine drainage. EPA link for safe levels in drinking water. Sources needed for all questions.

a. Define acid mine drainage in your own words. What is the safe level for pH in a river used for consumption?

b. List two possible harmful chemicals and two heavy metals caused by acid mine drainage.

c. What are the possible harmful effects of these chemicals and metals based on the list you provided? Please list at least one effect for each chemical and heavy metal listed in (3b).

d. What are the possible solutions for acid mine drainage? Provide two examples with sources/examples.

e. Provide a real-life example of an acid mine drainage. Describe the response from the authorities and the reaction from the residents/public.

Hint: Think logically and persuasively. Answers like “The people are smart and will do it” does not work here. Think of the possible reactions from the people and dig into the “why?”

4. Resources: You are hired to find crude oil for a company. There are a few tasks you need to complete. Sources needed.

a. What are the methods to find crude oil? Briefly describe those search methods (not the extraction!).

b. Describe how crude oil is formed in your own words. Hint: Include the timeline of the formation and depositional environment!

c. Assuming you found a reservoir store of about 250,000 barrels of oil under the town/city of Leona Valley, CA, do you think it would be financially worth it to extract it? Yes/No. There is no right or wrong answer as long as you reasonably back up your claim in (4d)!

d. Provide your reasons to (4c). Include the estimated cost (including constructing a rig, transporting the oil to CSUN, land permission) and profits based on current oil prices.

e. Provide a natural hazard assessment around Leona Valley, if you are planning to construct an oil rig(s). Natural hazards here include earthquakes, mass wasting, volcanic activity, and other hazards taught in this class.

Hint: There is no format on how the assessment should be nor the estimation for cost. The more information you provide, the easier it is for me/general public to understand. Just try your best to be thorough! You can also use tables to list your costs.

Useful links:

Earthquake catalog by IRIS: http://ds.iris.edu/wilber3/find_event

USGS earthquake catalog: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/search/

USGS Latest Earthquake catalog: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/

Smithsonian Volcanism: https://volcano.si.edu/gvp_currenteruptions.cfm

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