Earthquake
Read more about this earthquake @ https://sg.news.yahoo.com/minor-tsunami-hits-fukushima-region-strong-quake-224334515.html
Impact of hotspots and volcanic eruption on Singapore
Maps are very useful in illustrating the geographical concepts of Place, Space, Scale and Environment. You can see how the hotspots in Indonesia has affected Singapore and the region in June 2013.
The maps also showed how the haze was not only due to the hotspots but also affected by the wind direction. The 2nd map showed the hotspots for the region on 3 Feb 2014.
Volcanic eruptions could have also affected Singapore as ashes are thrown out during the eruption. However due to the wind direction and the distance of the volcanoes from Singapore, we are not affected by the recent eruption of the volcanoes in Indonesia.
Warmer and Wetter Singapore
Scientists projected average surface temperatures across the world will increase by at least 0.3°C – 1.7°C and at most between 2.6°C and 4.8°C, by the years 2081 to 2100, sad the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change report.Applied to the Southeast Asian region, this could translate to between 0.5 to 1°C, or 3 to 4°C, according to estimates from Singapore's Centre for Climate Research (CCRS). Taking the most severe scenario of 3°C, Singapore will see daily maximum temperatures of 34°C more often, and rainfall will increase by 25 per cent every 20 years. As it is, Singapore's temperatures have increased by more than double the rate of the rest of the world — 0.26°C over the past 60 years as compared to 0.12°C. Rainfall intensity has also increased to 107mm from 80mm per hour over the past 30 years, but not necessarily due to global warming, said the CCRS in a statement released by the National Environment Agency. Another key measurement scientists are watching is sea levels, which they project will also increase, depending on the level of greenhouse gas emissions the world produces.The report also cites the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet, which it predicts will take over a millennium at least to liquidate completely, but when it does, average global sea levels will rise by up to 7m. http://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-to-get-warmer--wetter-over-next-century--report-030148990.html
Singapore's Total Fertility Rate up from 1.2 to 1.29
Why was the Marriage and Parenthood package introduced?
Do you think it was effective?
What will be the impacts of declining fertility rate?
Tuaspring Desalination Plant
Singapore took a major step towards being self-sufficient in its water supply on 18 Sept 2013 with the opening of the Tuaspring Desalination Plant. It is Asia's largest seawater reverse-osmosis desalination plant and the second for Singapore.The new plant adds 70 million gallons of desalinated water daily to Singapore's water supply, tripling the supply from the country's fourth "national tap". The other three "taps" are local water catchments, imported water and NEWater. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/tuaspring-opens-latest/817978.html
1. How does the desalination plant convert seawater to potable water?
2. What are the four national taps of Singapore?
3. Why is water supply important to Singapore?
Volcanic Eruption - Mount Sakurajima in Japan
Japan's most active volcanoes, Mount Sakurajima, erupted for the 500th time this year. At 5000m, this is the highest plume of ash recorded from the mountain since 1955, and caused darkness and ash falls over the centre of nearby Kagoshima city. Read more about this on http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/geekquinox/record-breaking-eruption-japanese-volcano-launches-ash-5-040020140.html
You would have studied in Geography that Japan lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Points to Ponder:
What is an active volcano?
Why are many volcanoes found at the Pacific Ring of Fire?
What are the hazards caused by volcanic eruptions?
Why do people continue to live in areas threatened by volcanic eruptions?
Using Google Earth to understand PlateTectonics
Kmz file on Tectonic Plates - please ensure you have already downloaded Google Earth. Click and expand Places on the side menu on your left. You should see the placemarks 1 to 6 classified under the 3 types of plate boundaries. Double click on each placemark to find out more about the landforms formed at the respective plate boundaries.
Animation on labeling parts of a composite volcano: - this will help you understand the parts of a composite volcano better.
The worksheet for the lesson :You might want to also check out the following animations on how volcano and crater lake are formed.
Volcano
Crater Lake
You can also access the following to better understand types of volcano and damage from earthquakes.
Interesting flash on making your own volcano - understand the difference between a composite and a shield volcano
Earthquake in Aceh, Indonesia 2 July 2013
An earthquake struck Aceh Indonesia again yesterday (2 July) with a magnitude of 6.1 and it has caused 22 deaths so far. Read more about it @ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/22-dead-in-indonesia/732198.html It was mentioned in the article that "Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where continental plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity." Can you explain how the movement of the plates cause earthquake and vulcanicity?
Source Channel News Asia 3 July 2013
Compared this with the one that struck Aceh last year 11 April 2012. The magnitude was higher at 8.7 but less casualty was reported. Look at the epicentre of the quake. Explain what is a epicentre and show how it can determine the amount of damage to a place.
Source: Stomp 12 April 2012
Haze in Singapore
Singaporeans have suffered the haze over the last week - a results of forest fires (clearance of land for plantations) in Sumatra, Indonesia. PSI even rose to above 400! It has definitely affected the health of the people as well as our economy - esp tourism. Look at the map below showing the extent of the haze and how we are affected because of the proximity of our country to Indonesia and the SW monsoon in June.
Climate change and impact on Thailand
Thailand needs to act as Bangkok sinks faster!
http://www.dw.de/thailand-needs-to-act-as-bangkok-sinks-faster/a-16739739
The ground continues to subside by 3 cm (1.2 inches) a year, scientists say action is urgent.
http://www.dw.de/thailand-needs-to-act-as-bangkok-sinks-faster/a-16739739
The ground continues to subside by 3 cm (1.2 inches) a year, scientists say action is urgent.
According to Dr Anond Sanitwong, director of GISTDA, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, the buildings are already sinking nearly 20 millimetres and the soil and clay are also sinking 10 to 20 mm which means the absolute sinking rate of the ground is around three cm or 30 mm at least per year!
Bangkok has been voted the most visited city in the world and truly it would be sad if the city goes under water - esp the rich heritage which has attracted many - In Ban Khun Tian which is a part of Bangkok one temple is now in the middle of the sea and they have already lost the lower level of the temple.
We definitely do not want to see the same for Singapore as we cannot afford to lose the coastal areas, much which has been reclaimed, as land is limited and there is so much competition for land use. Instead of living by the sea, we will be living in the sea if we do not work together to fight against climatic change.
Another article on the impact of Climatic Change in Southeast Asia. http://www.rfa.org/english/commentaries/east-asia-beat/climate-change-07022013165938.html
In the article, the report "Turn down the Heat" by World Bank, mentioned that the warming climate will push up the sea level in the region and cause an increase in heat extremes, a higher intensity of tropical cyclones, and ocean acidification stemming from excess carbon dioxide in the air.
It is also predicted that there will be a drop in agricultural production and widespread food shortages, rapidly diminishing fish catch, increasing water- and vector-borne diseases, and diarrheal illnesses, impacting mostly the urban poor, who constitute large proportions of city populations in the S.E. Asia.
The climate change effects will also dampen the region's tourism industry, a top money-spinner, as coral reefs in pristine waters that lure divers and help fish breed are rapidly destroyed.
Bangkok has been voted the most visited city in the world and truly it would be sad if the city goes under water - esp the rich heritage which has attracted many - In Ban Khun Tian which is a part of Bangkok one temple is now in the middle of the sea and they have already lost the lower level of the temple.
We definitely do not want to see the same for Singapore as we cannot afford to lose the coastal areas, much which has been reclaimed, as land is limited and there is so much competition for land use. Instead of living by the sea, we will be living in the sea if we do not work together to fight against climatic change.
Another article on the impact of Climatic Change in Southeast Asia. http://www.rfa.org/english/commentaries/east-asia-beat/climate-change-07022013165938.html
In the article, the report "Turn down the Heat" by World Bank, mentioned that the warming climate will push up the sea level in the region and cause an increase in heat extremes, a higher intensity of tropical cyclones, and ocean acidification stemming from excess carbon dioxide in the air.
It is also predicted that there will be a drop in agricultural production and widespread food shortages, rapidly diminishing fish catch, increasing water- and vector-borne diseases, and diarrheal illnesses, impacting mostly the urban poor, who constitute large proportions of city populations in the S.E. Asia.
The climate change effects will also dampen the region's tourism industry, a top money-spinner, as coral reefs in pristine waters that lure divers and help fish breed are rapidly destroyed.
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