Technologies made to counter natural disasters

Weather forecasts are now deeply engrained in contemporary culture. Our outfit for the day or whether we need an umbrella to protect us from the rain is all dependent on what our trusty weather forecasts predict. In fact with the technology we have today, meteorologists can predict weather changes on an hourly basis or what the weather might be like in months to come.

One of our biggest problems today are natural disasters. Constantly, people and their homes are lost to natural disasters such as Tsunamis and Earthquakes. With technology today, our Richter scales are able to determine the magnitude of earthquakes and the severity of tremors they send. However, similarly to weather forecasts, our predictions of natural disasters, our readings and predictions are often inaccurate and untrustworthy.

By the year 2100, I believe that geophysists will have mapped out all the faults in the Earth's crust, extending 50kms below the surface.Accordingly, computer simulations can exactly predict when and where earthquakes will occur and the exact magnitudes of the earthquakes. This will completely transform our outlooks towards natural disasters as we will no longer be in constant fear by virtue of comprehensive preventative measures that can be taken place.

This is to say, people will understand when to vacate buildings which may be too weak and dangerous, avoid  holidays that may be in danger zones, ensure all hazardous chemicals are securely stored allowing casualties to be drastically minimalised. By the year 2100, natural disasters will no longer pose as threats as serious as they are today.

http://www.futuretimeline.net/22ndcentury/2100-2149.htm#.U3KdX41mTRY

http://tremor.nmt.edu/faq/how.html

Blog post by: Michael Mei

14/05/2014