GEOPHYSICAL PHENOMENA

Geophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth’s shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and composition; its dynamics and their surface expression in plate tectonics, the generation of magmas, volcanism and rock formation.

Modern geophysics organizations use a broader definition that includes the hydrological cycle including snow and ice; fluid dynamics of the oceans and theatmosphere; electricityand magnetism in the ionosphere and magnetosphere and solar-terrestrial relations; and analogous problems associated with the Moon and other planets.

Global geophysical events (GGEs) are naturally occurring phenomena, but on a very large scale. Except within the contexts of scale and extent, the processes and mechanisms that underpin them, and their physical effects and consequences, are no different from the geophysical events - whether windstorm, flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake or tsunami – that trigger natural disasters many times every year. GGEs are low frequency – high consequence geophysical phenomena capable of having wholesale harmful ramifications for the environment and society.

Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc. geographical features and their location – changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

EARTHQUAKE

An Earthquake is a vibration or oscillation of the surface of the earth caused by a transient disturbance of the elastic or gravitational equilibrium of the rocks at or beneath the surface. Magnitude of earthquake is measured by the ritcher scale. Seismograph is an instrument used for detection and measurement of Earthquake. The place of origin of earthquake is called focus aka hypocentre which is hidden inside earth and the place on surface of earth which is perpendicular to buried focus is call epicenter of the earthquake.

Causes of Earthquake : There are two major reasons of earthquake. One is sudden erruption of volcanos. Other is disturbance in the movement of tectonic plates.

TSUNAMI

Tsunami is a Japanese word which stand as tsu means harbour and nami means wave. This phenomena related with earthquake or volcanis eruptions or landslides or adjacents to oceans and results in sudden movement on water column. The passage of tsunami involves the movement of water from surface to seafloor which means it is directly related to depth of water bodies’ i.e deeper the ocean higher is the movement of water.

Causes of TSUNAMI : When an oceanic plates hits the continental plate,these plates press together and build the pressure. Eventually the heavier oceanic plate slips under the lighter continental plate and causes earthquake which lifts up ocean and drops other parts down, this happening on ocean floor is mirror on surface of water above. Hazards of Tsunami are that they can directly cause the loss of humans, pets and infrastructure.

VOLCANO

A volcano is a kind of vent or chimney which transfer molten rocks called as Magma from depth to earth surface. Magma eruption from volcano known as lava, it is a material which builds up the cone.

Types of Volcano : Shield Volcano, Composite Volcano, and Caldera Volcano.

Hazards of Volcanic Eruption : This includes explosions, lava flows, bombs, mudflows, landslides, earthquakes, ground deformation, tsunami, air shocks, lightning, poisonous gas, glacial outburst flooding.

CYCLONES

A Cyclone can be termed as atmospheric system of low barometric pressure accompanied by strong winds that rotate counter-clockwise in northern hemisphere and clockwise direction in southern hemisphere. It is known by its different name at different place such as cyclone in Indian Ocean and Southern Pacific Ocean, called as hurricane in western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific and typhoon in western Pacific.

CAUSES OF CYCLONES : The main source of energy for tropical cyclones is the warm ocean in tropical regions. To initiate a tropical cyclone the sea surface temperature needs to be around 26 degree C or above. The most common impact is heavy rainfall and strong winds that can lead to flooding. In some parts of world Australia tornados have been reported during cyclones. Storm surge or coastal inundation by sea water, is also seen during cyclones.