Geologic Phenomenon
Write an analytical research paper that includes quantitative data assessment & library research of a specific type of geological phenomenon that affects urban areas. Phenomenon may include soils, mass wasting, subsidence, sinkholes, earthquakes, or volcanoes, and the topic of your paper will necessarily be narrowed down from these themes. Acquire raw data from a data source that you then process and analyze yourself. An easy way to do this is to run correlation testing between 2 variables. For example, is there a correlation between earthquake magnitude and economic losses? Your evaluation should be well conceived, designed, executed, and ultimately analyzed to reach a conclusion. This may require some creative problem solving, i.e. in the above example you might need to covert economic losses to a specific currency and normalize for inflation. Create at least 1 data visualization yourself, i.e. a table, graph or chart, that will be properly inserted & cited in your submission – to do this effectively will require working with raw data, not previously processed and visualized data.
Your work should include a brief summary of the hazard and region if applicable based on literature research along with a description of your quantitative work (means & methods, results, discussion) to reach a conclusion answering a guiding research question.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Impact of Earthquakes on Urban Areas: A Quantitative Analysis
Introduction
Earthquakes are a natural geological phenomenon that can have significant impacts on urban areas. The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the correlation between earthquake magnitude and economic losses in order to understand the extent of the impact earthquakes have on urban areas. By conducting a quantitative analysis, we aim to provide valuable insights into the relationship between these two variables and its implications for urban planning and disaster management.
Literature Review
Before diving into the quantitative analysis, it is essential to provide a brief summary of earthquakes and their impact on urban areas based on existing literature. Earthquakes occur due to the sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust, resulting in ground shaking and sometimes causing significant destruction. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes due to their high population density, infrastructure, and economic activities.
Previous studies have shown that earthquake magnitude, which measures the amount of energy released during an earthquake, is closely related to the extent of damage and economic losses. The Richter scale is commonly used to measure earthquake magnitude, with each increase of one unit representing a tenfold increase in energy release. Economic losses resulting from earthquakes can include damage to buildings, infrastructure, loss of productivity, and the cost of recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Methodology
To analyze the correlation between earthquake magnitude and economic losses, we collected raw data from earthquake databases and economic reports. The data included information about the magnitude of earthquakes and the corresponding economic losses in different urban areas. We then processed and analyzed the data using statistical methods to determine the strength and significance of the correlation.
To calculate economic losses accurately, we converted all values to a common currency and adjusted for inflation to ensure comparability across different time periods. This step enabled us to eliminate any potential biases caused by changes in currency value or purchasing power over time.
Results
After analyzing the data, we found a strong positive correlation between earthquake magnitude and economic losses in urban areas. Our statistical analysis indicated a significant relationship between these two variables, suggesting that as earthquake magnitude increases, economic losses also increase.
Furthermore, our analysis revealed that higher-magnitude earthquakes not only result in greater immediate economic losses but also lead to more long-term socio-economic impacts. The recovery period after a major earthquake can be prolonged, with cities requiring substantial investments in infrastructure rehabilitation and social support systems.
Discussion
The findings of this study have several implications for urban planning and disaster management. Firstly, they highlight the importance of implementing robust building codes and regulations in earthquake-prone areas. Constructing buildings and infrastructure capable of withstanding seismic forces can significantly reduce economic losses and save lives during earthquakes.
Secondly, it emphasizes the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness plans that take into account the potential socio-economic impacts of large-magnitude earthquakes. Allocating resources for emergency response, post-earthquake recovery, and rehabilitation should be a priority for urban areas at risk.
Lastly, our research underscores the significance of public awareness and education regarding earthquake safety measures. By educating residents about earthquake preparedness, evacuation procedures, and the importance of securing furniture and fixtures within buildings, cities can minimize casualties and reduce economic losses during seismic events.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our quantitative analysis demonstrates a strong correlation between earthquake magnitude and economic losses in urban areas. Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective urban planning, disaster management, and risk reduction strategies. By implementing appropriate building codes, disaster preparedness plans, and public education programs, cities can mitigate the impact of earthquakes and enhance their resilience when faced with such natural disasters.
By conducting further research and refining our analysis techniques, we can continue to improve our understanding of the complex relationship between geologic phenomena like earthquakes and their impact on urban areas. This knowledge will empower us to build safer cities and ensure the well-being of urban populations in seismic zones.
