42 research outputs found
Methods of Multivariable Earthquake Precursor Analysis and a Proposed Prototype Earthquake Early Warning System
Significant advances are being made in earthquake prediction theory; however, a reliable method for forecasting the occurrence of earthquakes from space and/or ground based technologies remains limited to
no more than a few minutes before the event happens. Several claims of earthquake precursors have been put forward, such as ionospheric changes, electromagnetic effects, and ground heating, though the science behind these is far from complete and the successful application of these precursors is highly regionally variable. Existing and planned dedicated space missions for monitoring earthquake precursors are insufficient for resolving the precursor issue. Their performance does not satisfy the requirements of an
earthquake early warning system in terms of spatial and temporal coverage. To achieve statistically significant validation of precursors for early warning delivery, precursor data must be obtained from
simultaneous repeated monitoring of several precursors in focus regions over a long period of time and then integrated and processed. Data sources include historical data, data from ground-based units, airborne
systems, and space-based systems.
This paper describes methods of systematic evaluation of regionally specific, multivariable precursor data needed for the identification of the expected time, magnitude and the position of the epicentre. This data set forms the basis for a proposed operational early warning system developed at the International Space University and which is built in partnership with local and national governments as well as international
organizations
Socio-economic benefits of using space technologies to monitor and respond to earthquakes
Earthquakes represent a major hazard for populations around the world, causing frequent loss of life,
human suffering and enormous damage to homes, other buildings and infrastructure. The Technology Resources for
Earthquake Monitoring and Response (TREMOR) Team of 36 space professionals analysed this problem over the
course of the International Space University Summer Session Program and published their recommendations in the form
of a report. The TREMOR Team proposes a series of space- and ground-based systems to provide improved capability
to manage earthquakes. The first proposed system is a prototype earthquake early-warning system that improves the
existing knowledge of earthquake precursors and addresses the potential of these phenomena. Thus, the system will
at first enable the definitive assessment of whether reliable earthquake early warning is possible through precursor
monitoring. Should the answer be affirmative, the system itself would then form the basis of an operational earlywarning
system. To achieve these goals, the authors propose a multi-variable approach in which the system will combine,
integrate and process precursor data from space- and ground-based seismic monitoring systems (already existing and
new proposed systems) and data from a variety of related sources (e.g. historical databases, space weather data, fault
maps). The second proposed system, the prototype earthquake simulation and response system, coordinates the main
components of the response phase to reduce the time delays of response operations, increase the level of precision
in the data collected, facilitate communication amongst teams, enhance rescue and aid capabilities and so forth. It is
based in part on an earthquake simulator that will provide pre-event (if early warning is proven feasible) and post-event
damage assessment and detailed data of the affected areas to corresponding disaster management actors by means of a
geographic information system (GIS) interface. This is coupled with proposed mobile satellite communication hubs to
provide links between response teams. Business- and policy-based implementation strategies for these proposals, such
as the establishment of a non-governmental organisation to develop and operate the systems, are included
Socio-economic benefits of using space technologies to monitor and respond to earthquakes
Earthquakes represent a major hazard for populations around the world, causing frequent loss of life,
human suffering and enormous damage to homes, other buildings and infrastructure. The Technology Resources for
Earthquake Monitoring and Response (TREMOR) Team of 36 space professionals analysed this problem over the
course of the International Space University Summer Session Program and published their recommendations in the form
of a report. The TREMOR Team proposes a series of space- and ground-based systems to provide improved capability
to manage earthquakes. The first proposed system is a prototype earthquake early-warning system that improves the
existing knowledge of earthquake precursors and addresses the potential of these phenomena. Thus, the system will
at first enable the definitive assessment of whether reliable earthquake early warning is possible through precursor
monitoring. Should the answer be affirmative, the system itself would then form the basis of an operational earlywarning
system. To achieve these goals, the authors propose a multi-variable approach in which the system will combine,
integrate and process precursor data from space- and ground-based seismic monitoring systems (already existing and
new proposed systems) and data from a variety of related sources (e.g. historical databases, space weather data, fault
maps). The second proposed system, the prototype earthquake simulation and response system, coordinates the main
components of the response phase to reduce the time delays of response operations, increase the level of precision
in the data collected, facilitate communication amongst teams, enhance rescue and aid capabilities and so forth. It is
based in part on an earthquake simulator that will provide pre-event (if early warning is proven feasible) and post-event
damage assessment and detailed data of the affected areas to corresponding disaster management actors by means of a
geographic information system (GIS) interface. This is coupled with proposed mobile satellite communication hubs to
provide links between response teams. Business- and policy-based implementation strategies for these proposals, such
as the establishment of a non-governmental organisation to develop and operate the systems, are included.Postprint (published version
Policy Entrepreneurship and Multilevel Governance: A Comparative Study of European Cross-Border Regions
This article was publsihed in the journal, Environment and Planning C [© Pion]. The definitive version is available at: http://www.envplan.com/C.htmlThis article addresses the recent proliferation of Cross-Border Regions, or Euroregions,
in Europe. It argues that EU multi-level governance patterns generate opportunities for
entrepreneurial policy organisations to attract policy tasks and resources. This is
conceptualised as policy entrepreneurship and applied to a comparative case study
analysis of three Euroregions: EUREGIO (Germany – Netherlands), Viadrina (Poland –
Germany) and Tyrol (Austria – Italy). The analysis focuses on the ability of these
initiatives to establish themselves as autonomous organisations. It finds considerable
variation across the cases in this respect. Following on from this, the paper shows how
different administrative and institutional environments in different EU member states
affect the ability of Euroregions to engage in policy entrepreneurship. It concludes that
is it premature to perceive Euroregions as new types of regional territorial entities;
rather, they are part of the policy innovation scenario enabled by EU multi-level
governance
Euroregions: Institutional Entrepreneurship in the European Union
This is chapter from the book, Globalization, regionalization, and cross-border regions
Spectral pre and post processing for infrared and Raman spectroscopy of biological tissues and cells
Determinates of Savings and Economic Growth in Poland in Comparison to the OECD Countries
Wood smoke black carbon from Indigenous traditional cultural activities in a subarctic Cree community
Indoor concentrations of black carbon (BC) were measured when wood was burned for traditional cultural activities in a study in a Cree community located in subarctic Canada. The study also included an intervention using a propane-fuelled heater to mitigate in situ BC. Mass concentrations of BC were measured in a game-smoking tent for 39 days and in hunting cabins on the west coast of James Bay, Canada, for 8 days. Five-minute averaged BC mass concentration (N = 12,319) data were recorded and assessed using optimised noise-reduction averaging. Mean BC mass concentrations were lower in hunting cabins (mean = 8.25 micrograms per cubic metre (µg m-3)) and higher in the game-smoking tent (mean = 15.46 µg m-3). However, excessive BC peaks were recorded in the game-smoking tent (maximum = 3076.71 µg m-3) when the fire was stoked or loaded. The intervention with the propane heater in a hunting cabin yielded a 90% reduction in measured BC mass concentrations. We do not presume that exposure to BC is of concern in hunting cabins with appropriate wood-burning appliances that are well-sealed and vent outside. In game-smoking tents, we advise that persons take intermittent breaks outside of the tent for fresh air