The Analysis of Tsunami Vertical Shelter in Padang City

Padang is a coastal city, which is located opposite to the Indian Ocean. Just across Padang city there are areas of subduction, which can trigger a powerful earthquake and generate tsunami. Geologists have to say that the city of Padang is the area that is highly vulnerable to tsunamis in the near future. Several studies have been conducted to prepare Padang city for tsunamis. Through the research, maps of tsunami inundation area has been successfully designed. So that the tsunami-prone areas, and tsunami safe area can be clearly identified. According to Singh (2008), the time interval between the first powerful earthquake and tsunami to hit the coast of Padang is about 20-30 minutes. While residents have to walk 3-5 km to the safe area. It can be said that the time for tsunami evacuation in Padang city is very short. Therefore the choice of conducting vertical evacuation is urgent for the majority of the population rather than walking along the horizontal evacuation. Padang city government with the aid of the international donors has built buildings for the shelter. Some of them are schools that have a strong structure, three storeys in which the roof are served as a tsunami evacuation. Data from the BPBDs office (Disaster Management Agency), stated that there are 13 tsunami evacuation buildings at this time with a total capacity of 30.550 people and the capacity for each building is varied between 1,000 - 3,000 people (BPBDs, 2013). This amount is very far from enough when compared to the potential loss of life as many as 400,000 people or more, or as only 7.64% of the total amount. And the location of the shelter buildings are not evenly distributed in tsunamis prone areas Places for vertical tsunami evacuation in Padang are called TES (Temporary Evacuation Shelter). There have been 13 shelters established by the Government of Padang and BPBDs, and there is only one TES found in the study area. It really is not enough as it is seen in the range of services. Therefore the existing buildings and multi-storey structure is another alternate places to rescue in which they are expected to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis. This alternative building called Potential TES (PTES)and there are 14 shelters for the study area

Supplemental Information 4: Raw data.

This study evaluated pollution levels in water and sediments of Península de Paraguaná and related these levels with benthic macrofauna along a coastal area where the largest Venezuelan oil refineries have operated over the past 60 years. For this, the concentration of heavy metals, of hydrocarbon compounds and the community structure of the macrobenthos were examined at 20 sites distributed along 40 km of coastline for six consecutive years, which included windy and calm seasons. The spatial variability of organic and inorganic compounds showed considerably high coastal pollution along the study area, across both years and seasons. The southern sites, closest to the refineries, had consistently higher concentrations of heavy metals and organic compounds in water and sediments when compared to those in the north. The benthic community was dominated by polychaetes at all sites, seasons and years, and their abundance and distribution were significantly correlated with physical and chemical characteristics of the sediments. Sites close to the oil refineries were consistently dominated by families known to tolerate xenobiotics, such as Capitellidae and Spionidae. The results from this study highlight the importance of continuing long-term environmental monitoring programs to assess the impact of effluent discharge and spill events from the oil refineries that operate in the western coast of Paraguaná, Venezuela

Assessment of coastal management options by means of multilayered ecosystem models

This paper presents a multilayered ecosystem modelling approach that combines the simulation of the biogeochemistry of a coastal ecosystem with the simulation of the main forcing functions, such as catchment loading and aquaculture activities. This approach was developed as a tool for sustainable management of coastal ecosystems. A key feature is to simulate management scenarios that account for changes in multiple uses and enable assessment of cumulative impacts of coastal activities. The model was applied to a coastal zone in China with large aquaculture production and multiple catchment uses, and where management efforts to improve water quality are under way. Development scenarios designed in conjunction with local managers and aquaculture producers include the reduction of fish cages and treatment of wastewater. Despite the reduction in nutrient loading simulated in three different scenarios, inorganic nutrient concentrations in the bay were predicted to exceed the thresholds for poor quality defined by Chinese seawater quality legislation. For all scenarios there is still a Moderate High to High nutrient loading from the catchment, so further reductions might be enacted, together with additional decreases in fish cage culture. The model predicts that overall, shellfish production decreases by 10%–28% using any of these development scenarios, principally because shellfish growth is being sustained by the substances to be reduced for improvement of water quality. The model outcomes indicate that this may be counteracted by zoning of shellfish aquaculture at the ecosystem level in order to optimize trade-offs between productivity and environmental effects. The present case study exemplifies the value of multilayered ecosystem modelling as a tool for Integrated Coastal Zone Management and for the adoption of ecosystem approaches for marine resource management. This modelling approach can be applied worldwide, and may be particularly useful for the application of coastal management regulation, for instance in the implementation of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Essential ocean variables for global sustained observations of biodiversity and ecosystem changes

International audience; Sustained observations of marine biodiversity and ecosystems focused on specific conservation and management problems are needed around the world to effectively mitigate or manage changes resulting from anthropogenic pressures. These observations, while complex and expensive, are required by the international scientific, governance and policy communities to provide baselines against which the effects of human pressures and climate change may be measured and reported, and resources allocated to implement solutions. To identify biological and ecological essential ocean variables (EOVs) for implementation within a global ocean observing system that is relevant for science, informs society, and technologically feasible, we used a driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) model. We (1) examined relevant international agreements to identify societal drivers and pressures on marine resources and ecosystems, (2) evaluated the temporal and spatial scales of variables measured by 100+ observing programs, and (3) analysed the impact and scalability of these variables and how they contribute to address societal and scientific issues. EOVs were related to the status of ecosystem components (phytoplankton and zoo-plankton biomass and diversity, and abundance and distribution of fish, marine turtles, birds and mammals), and to the extent and health of ecosystems (cover and composition of hard coral, seagrass, mangrove and macroalgal canopy). Benthic invertebrate abundance and distribution and microbe diversity and biomass were identified as emerging EOVs to be developed based on emerging requirements and new technologies. The temporal scale at which any shifts in biological systems will be detected will vary across the EOVs, the properties being monitored and the length of the existing time-series. Global implementation to deliver useful products will require collaboration of the scientific and policy sectors and a significant commitment to improve human and infrastructure capacity across the globe, including the development of new, more automated observing technologies, and encouraging the application of international standards and best practices

Effects of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity: impacts and solutions

The growing number of artificial structures in estuarine, coastal and marine environments is causing “ocean sprawl”. Artificial structures do not only modify marine and coastal ecosystems at the sites of their placement, but may also produce larger-scale impacts through their alteration of ecological connectivity - the movement of organisms, materials and energy between habitat units within seascapes. Despite the growing awareness of the capacity of ocean sprawl to influence ecological connectivity, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how artificial structures modify ecological connectivity in near- and off-shore environments, and when and where their effects on connectivity are greatest. We review the mechanisms by which ocean sprawl may modify ecological connectivity, including trophic connectivity associated with the flow of nutrients and resources. We also review demonstrated, inferred and likely ecological impacts of such changes to connectivity, at scales from genes to ecosystems, and potential strategies of management for mitigating these effects. Ocean sprawl may alter connectivity by: (1) creating barriers to the movement of some organisms and resources - by adding physical barriers or by modifying and fragmenting habitats; (2) introducing new structural material that acts as a conduit for the movement of other organisms or resources across the landscape; and (3) altering trophic connectivity. Changes to connectivity may, in turn, influence the genetic structure and size of populations, the distribution of species, and community structure and ecological functioning. Two main approaches to the assessment of ecological connectivity have been taken: (1) measurement of structural connectivity - the configuration of the landscape and habitat patches and their dynamics; and (2) measurement of functional connectivity - the response of organisms or particles to the landscape. Our review reveals the paucity of studies directly addressing the effects of artificial structures on ecological connectivity in the marine environment, particularly at large spatial and temporal scales. With the ongoing development of estuarine and marine environments, there is a pressing need for additional studies that quantify the effects of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity. Understanding the mechanisms by which structures modify connectivity is essential if marine spatial planning and eco-engineering are to be effectively utilised to minimise impacts

Experts Meeting on Sources of Tsunamis in the Lesser Antilles Fort-de-France, Martinique (France) 18–20 March 2019

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO supported a Group of Experts meeting on Lesser Antilles tsunami sources to better understand the uncertainties associated with the Lesser Antilles Trench and the nearby volcanic activity. The 3-day experts meeting was held from 18 to 20 March 2019 on the French Lesser Antilles island of Martinique, France. The purpose of the experts meeting was to identify and quantify tsunami sources of both tectonic and volcanic origins, and related hazards and risks to support holistic risk management for the Lesser Antilles (preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery). Tsunamis from seismic and volcanic sources could have widespread impacts on the population health and economy of the Lesser Antilles. There are historical precedents for tsunamis generated by earthquakes associated with the Lesser Antilles Trench and volcanic activity. A very large tsunami associated with the Lesser Antilles Trench has the potential to cause widespread loss of life, damage and disruption to the region. Similarly, volcanic activity along the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc could potentially generate locally devastating tsunamis that would compound the volcanic crisis. The Lesser Antilles are made up of small islands with an increasing dependency on coastal-based tourism. Moreover, the population of these island nations and their infrastructure are concentrated in areas particularly prone to tsunami effects, low-lying coastal areas. The meeting in Martinique aimed to focus on the uncertainties in tsunami hazard assessment for the Lesser Antilles and identify possible tsunami sources. The outcomes of the meeting can be used for Lesser Antilles hazard and risk assessment studies. The invited experts analysed credible tsunami sources, for which they identified the following groups of sources related to the subduction of North and South America plates beneath the Caribbean plate with potential to impact the Lesser Antilles: 1. Subduction Zone related sources consist of tsunami sources stemming from the interaction of North and South America plates with the Caribbean producing shallow thrust events capable of inducing near-field catastrophic tsunamis. Events in this category include sources tentatively similar to the 8 February 1843 earthquake (M7.5-8.0; Bernard and Lambert, 1988). 2. Island Arc Normal sources consist of crustal faults within the arc itself and thus not directly related to the subduction process. Tsunamigenic sources in this category are smaller events with smaller shallow rupture areas that are oriented perpendicular to the arc. An example of such a source is the M7.4 October 8, 1974 event that ruptured a normal fault oriented perpendicular to the arc between Antigua and Barbuda. 3. Island Arc Parallel sources consist of crustal faults within the arc itself and thus not related directly to the subduction process. Tsunamigenic sources in this category are smaller events with smaller shallow rupture areas that are oriented parallel to the arc. An example of such a source is the M6.3 November 21, 2004 earthquake along the Roseau fault between Guadeloupe and Dominica, an oblique fault oriented parallel to the arc axis. 4. Volcanic-induced sources consist of tsunamis generated by the explosive nature of volcanic islands either by volcanic eruption of underwater volcanoes, debris flows, or lateral collapse of volcanic islands. An example of such a source is the tsunami generated by debris flows at the volcano crisis of Mont Pelée in Saint Pierre, Martinique, on 4 May 1902

Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas Project 2nd Technical Meeting Paris, France, 16-17 June 2008

At the Surface Ocean CO2 Variability and Vulnerability workshop at UNESCO, Paris in April 2007, participants agreed to assemble a global surface CO2 data set of all publicly available ocean surface fCO2 data in a common format. This is an activity that has been called for by several international groups for many years, and has now become a priority activity for the marine carbon community. This data set will serve as a foundation upon which the community will continue to build in the future, based on agreed data and metadata formats and standard 1st level quality-control procedures, building on earlier agreements established at the 2004 Tsukuba workshop on Ocean Surface pCO2 Data Integration and Database Development

Surface Ocean CO2 Variability and Vulnerability Workshop Paris, France 11-14 April 2007

While we are now close to monitoring oceanic CO2 uptake on decadal and regional scales, meaningful predictions of its future behaviour are difficult. Climate change affects ocean biology and physics and could lead to reduced efficiency of the carbon sinks, a process that atmospheric data and ocean models indicate is already occurring in the Southern Ocean. Attempts to set a baseline stabilization target for the atmospheric CO2 concentration will ultimately depend on our understanding and prediction of oceanic CO2 sinks. There is a critical and urgent need to better understand the ocean processes regulating CO2 uptake and to identify research and observational priorities for the future. This workshop reviews the current knowledge base and enhance international cooperation to resolve the magnitude, variability and processes governing ocean sources and sinks of carbon, from observations, process-based models and atmospheric and oceanic inversions