Storm Surges in the Region of Western Alaska

Within the period of the historical record there have been several occurrences of extensive damage from storm-surge-related coastal flooding in the region of Nome, Alaska. The most recent of these events, although by no means the most destructive, occurred in association with the storm of 5–6 October 1992. Despite the small population of Nome (approximately 4000 people), total damage costs exceeded $6 million. The research into the nature and causes of such flooding events has focused on this October 1992 case. The authors have, however, also examined a weaker, shorter-duration event that occurred on 20 August 1993 and, for contrast, a case in September 1993 where a sustained offshore wind transported water out of Norton Sound. Tide gauge data from Nome were used to quantitatively assess the associated changes in water level, and meteorological analyses were utilized to examine the associated synoptic-scale circulations and their evolution. In addition, numerical modeling experiments were conducted using an extratropical storm surge model. (A version of this model is operational for the east coast of the United States.) Hindcasts of phase and amplitude for the October 1992 and September 1993 events agreed well with observations. Simulations of the shorter- duration August 1993 event were in poorer agreement with observations and indicate several possibilities for future improvement of the performance of the surge model: enhancement of the horizontal and temporal resolution of the model domain; more accurate input sea level pressure and wind data; and improvements to the surge model itself (e.g., inclusion of sea ice). Overall, however, results indicate that recent operational implementation of the model should be of significant benefit to coastal forecasters

Storm Surges in the Region of Western Alaska

Within the period of the historical record there have been several occurrences of extensive damage from storm-surge-related coastal flooding in the region of Nome, Alaska. The most recent of these events, although by no means the most destructive, occurred in association with the storm of 5–6 October 1992. Despite the small population of Nome (approximately 4000 people), total damage costs exceeded $6 million. The research into the nature and causes of such flooding events has focused on this October 1992 case. The authors have, however, also examined a weaker, shorter-duration event that occurred on 20 August 1993 and, for contrast, a case in September 1993 where a sustained offshore wind transported water out of Norton Sound. Tide gauge data from Nome were used to quantitatively assess the associated changes in water level, and meteorological analyses were utilized to examine the associated synoptic-scale circulations and their evolution. In addition, numerical modeling experiments were conducted using an extratropical storm surge model. (A version of this model is operational for the east coast of the United States.) Hindcasts of phase and amplitude for the October 1992 and September 1993 events agreed well with observations. Simulations of the shorter-duration August 1993 event were in poorer agreement with observations and indicate several possibilities for future improvement of the performance of the surge model: enhancement of the horizontal and temporal resolution of the model domain; more accurate input sea level pressure and wind data; and improvements to the surge model itself (e.g., inclusion of sea ice). Overall, however, results indicate that recent operational implementation of the model should be of significant benefit to coastal forecasters

Imprints, Vol. 2

Imprints is the official publication for Sigma Tau Delta, the honorary English fraternity. The editors welcome creative works submitted by contributors and also publish winners of the annual T. E. Ferguson Writing Contest. Especially welcome are poems, fiction pieces and essays of no more than 5,000 words in length. At this time we would like to express our gratitude to David Whitescarver, Sigma Tau Delta faculty advisor, for his unrelenting optimism and valuable help in the preparation of this journal

The impact of Internet-based specific activities on the perceptions of Internet addiction, quality of life, and excessive usage: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Recent research has examined the context in which preference for specific online activities arises, leading researchers to suggest that excessive Internet users are engaged in specific activities rather than ‘generalized’ Internet use. The present study aimed to partially replicate and expand these findings by addressing four research questions regarding (i) participants' preferred online activities, (ii) possible expected changes in online behavior in light of hypothetical scenarios, (iii) perceived quality of life when access to Internet was not possible, and (iv) how participants with self-diagnosed Internet addiction relate to intensity and frequency of Internet use. Methods: A cross-sectional design was adopted using convenience and snowball sampling to recruit participants. A total of 1057 Internet users with ages ranging from 16 to 70 years (M age = 30 years, SD = 10.84) were recruited online via several English-speaking online forums. Results: Most participants indicated that their preferred activities were (i) accessing general information and news, (ii) social networking, and (iii) using e-mail and/or online chatting. Participants also reported that there would be a significant decrease of their Internet use if access to their preferred activities was restricted. The study also found that 51% of the total sample perceived themselves as being addicted to the Internet, while 14.1% reported that without the Internet their life would be improved. Conclusions: The context in which the Internet is used appears to determine the intensity and the lengths that individuals will go to use this tool. The implications of these findings are further discussed