Past Natural Disasters Research Articles

Effective and Sustainable Disaster Tradition based on Scientific Evidence

A number of natural disasters have occurred in Japan, largely owing to where it is located. These include volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, as well as floods and cyclones. Due to the regularity of such incidents, there is much expertise around what to do in the event of such a disaster but there is always room for improvement. By learning about past natural disasters, researchers can apply this knowledge to implementing more effective and sustainable disaster response procedures. Professor Shosuke Sato and his team at the Tohoku University International Research Institute of Disaster Science in Japan are committed to developing effective and sustainable responses to natural disasters based on scientific evidence. The institute is interdisciplinary, with four departments: Risk Evaluation and Disaster Mitigation Research (Science and Engineering); Disaster Humanities and Social Science (Humanities and Social Sciences); Disaster Medical Science (Medicine); and Practical Research and Collaboration Division. Sato and his team are working to shed light on the mechanisms and factors behind disaster experiences and memories that have been successfully passed down over many years, and to build a system which can effectively and sustainably pass down disaster experiences and memories. They have developed a disaster storyteller training programme and tested the method using examples from people who had experienced war. By listening to narratives, it is possible to feel the reality of disaster response and to increase the options for disaster response.

Characteristics of suicidal emergency room patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Owing to the stress caused by the behavioral restrictions and lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, suicide rates have increased in Japan, especially among young people. This study aimed to identify the differences in the characteristics of patients hospitalized for suicide attempts in the emergency room, requiring inpatient care before and during the pandemic over 2 years. This study was a retrospective analysis. Data were collected from the electronic medical records. A descriptive survey was conducted to examine changes in the pattern of suicide attempts during the COVID-19 outbreak. Two-sample independent t-tests, Chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis. Two hundred one patients were included. No significant differences were found in the number of patients hospitalized for suicide attempts, average age, or sex ratio before and during the pandemic periods. Acute drug intoxication and overmedication in patients increased significantly during the pandemic. The self-inflicted means of injury with high fatality rates were similar during the two periods. The rate of physical complications significantly increased during the pandemic, while the proportion of unemployed individuals significantly decreased. Despite studies predicting an increase in suicides based on past statistics of young people and of women, no significant changes were observed in this survey of the Hanshin-Awaji region, including Kobe. This may have been owing to the effect of suicide prevention measures and mental health measures implemented by the Japanese government after an increase in suicides and after past natural disasters.

Infection Diseases Following Natural Disaster in Children: Health Prevention and Assessment

Children are a vulnerable group that is adversely affected physically, sociologically, and psychologically in natural disasters. The past natural disasters experienced by different countries at various times were lessons for all of the world, and there are important new lessons to be learned from natural disasters occurring in the aftermath of the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Not only does COVID-19 pose a continuing threat, but globally we are experiencing a rebound of common childhood infectious diseases due to disruption of immunization programs during the pandemic and removal of restrictions to reduce transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).[1] Data on pediatric health management are limited at this challenging time.[2] In this editorial article, post-natural disaster infections and prevention strategies will be considered after the last two devastating earthquakes (7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes) that occurred, on February 6, 2023, in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye.[3]

Disaster, demographics, and vulnerability: Interrogating the long‐term effects of an extreme weather event

AbstractClimate risk events act on existing inequalities, causing unequal damage across social groups and showing that established vulnerability should be a key consideration in preventing and mitigating the consequences of weather extremes. The disastrous snowfalls that affected Asturias in Northern Spain in the winter of 1888 provide an intriguing and useful historical example of why such consideration is vital. This article is based on analysis of church records and population censuses of 22 mountain parishes over a 21‐year period. It examines the long‐term sociodemographic impacts of that weather event and reveals dramatic changes in fertility, mortality, and nuptiality. Marriages and births decreased by 67% in the 2 years following the snowstorms, when the highest levels of mortality were reached. The excess mortality especially affected those adults over 70, infants under 5, and, most notably, women. A livelihood crisis was at the base of these long‐term effects. Those demographic impacts point to the event’s severity and show that the repercussions of a disaster go far beyond deaths and material losses and are deeply rooted in social factors. These findings reinforce the idea that reconstructing old disastrous episodes is of great social and scientific interest now. That is because, as governments and others are progressively paying more attention to the possibilities of adaptation to global change, there is greater appreciation of the fact that delving into the long‐term impacts of past natural disasters can guide our main future strategies.

Sejarah erupsi Gunung Bromo 1995: kajian dampak dan upaya mitigasinya di Kecamatan Sukapura

Environmental history has recently become a popular topic. Environmental history, on the other contrary, is still a neglected historical specialization in Indonesia. Environmental history, including past natural disasters, is an interesting topic to study. Volcanic eruptions are a natural occurrence that has received little attention by researchers. Mount Bromo's eruption in 1995 became a historical event that historians should research and reconstruct.In 1995, it lasted for several months, with increasing volcanic activity that continues to occur, causing environmental and social impacts. Mount Bromo, which is included of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park's conservation area, contributes to the tourism aspect. To deal with all of the risks that occurred during the 1995 eruption of Mount Bromo, the government, the Great Hall of Bromo Tengger Semeru, and the local community made mitigation efforts. This research uses the historical method, which entails a thorough examination of archival sources, newspapers, articles, books, maps, and interviews with relevant parties. The facts about Mount Bromo's 1995 eruption, including its ecological impacts and mitigation efforts, are presented in this study.

Attitudes toward using "Simple simulator for calculating nutritional food stocks in preparation for large-scale disasters" among local governmental personnel and public health dietitians in Japan: An explanatory mixed methods study.

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare compiled an Excel sheet - "Simple simulator for calculating nutritional food stocks in preparation for large-scale disasters" (Simulator). We examined the level of recognition and use of the Simulator by local governments and identified the points for its improvement. In stage 1, we surveyed local government personnel who participated in the "Workshop for nutrition assistance during large-scale disasters" held in November 2020 (n = 458; 313 responded) with an online questionnaire on the use of the Simulator and associated issues. Stage 2 involved group interviews with 15 public health dietitians who had been involved in food assistance during past natural disasters to identify points for improving the Simulator and the problems with food assistance during natural disasters. In stage 1, 233 responders (74.4%) confirmed their awareness of the existence of the Simulator. While 85 individuals (36.6%) used the Simulator, 63 individuals (74.1%) confirmed that they would use it in the future to plan and evaluate local government stocks. In stage 2, multiple comments regarding the Simulator's applicability and improvement in a realistic situation were collected. In order for the administrative staff in charge of disaster management to understand the nutritional importance of stockpiling main/side dishes, it was suggested that specific combinations of foods that meet the required amounts should be shown and that visualization using food products and the number of people covered by stockpiled foods may be easier to understand than pure nutritional values.

Archaeology of disaster in Indonesia: where are we now?

Natural disasters are a phenomenon that shaped the Indonesian Archipelago. Earthquakes and volcanic activities have become periodic experiences in the lives of people in this region. The geographical characteristics of Indonesia which are located at the confluence of active plates and part of the global volcanic chain are natural factors that make these islands vulnerable to disasters. Cultural historical studies have recorded various phenomena of past natural disasters in the archipelago. Some have had minimal impact, but others have resulted in the loss of civilization. Although the issue has become the important part of the civilization and profile of Indonesia, the archaeological study of disasters has not well developed. The existing studies so far are still very partial with the fragmentary results. Characterized with this complex character, the study of archaeological disaster requires a multidisciplinary approach. This paper attempts to discuss the archaeology of disasters in Indonesia including the background, current conditions and the prospects of future development. Particularly in discussing the role of local wisdoms in dealing with disasters as part of the civilization of the archipelago.

LESSON FROM THE PAST, KNOWLEDGE FOR THE FUTURE: ROLES OF HUMAN MEMORIES IN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI NARRATIVES IN MENTAWAI, INDONESIA

<p>Oral traditions are an important part of the culture of most Indonesian communities. Mentawai, an ethnic group residing in Mentawai Islands of Indonesia, has various genres of oral tradition. Traditional knowledge and local wisdom pertaining to natural disasters are also part of their oral tradition. Mentawai Islands are located along active tectonic plates, where earthquakes commonly occur at various magnitudes. Records show that<br />great earthquakes and tsunamis hit Mentawai Islands several times in 1797, 1833, 2007, and 2010. Surprisingly, earthquakes occurring some hundred years ago do not seem to appear in Mentawai oral tradition. This is slightly different from communities in Simeulue, Solomon, and Andaman Islands whose natives still remember some devastating catastrophes that occurred in the past. People’s collective memories play an important role in upholding significant messages from past natural disasters. Some of<br />those messages contain important lessons on how to cope with natural disasters if they should occur again. As a result, the majority of inhabitants of those islands survived future catastrophes because they remembered the lessons contained in their oral tradition. This is totally different in Mentawai where more than 500 people died during the 2010 earthquake and tsunami. Because of this, the Mentawai case becomes an interesting topic of study. This paper aims, therefore, to find out the reasons behind this apparent<br />lack of oral tradition pertaining to the earthquakes and tsunamis that occurred several hundred years ago.</p>

Past Epidemics, Natural Disasters, COVID19, and Mental Health: Learning from History as we Deal with the Present and Prepare for the Future.

As cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue to rise, psychological endurance is a challenge many people will face. For mental health, heightened stress responses to the pandemic, is likely to manifest in three ways: 1) development of a new episode of a disorder in those with a predisposition to a major psychiatric disorder or an acute exacerbation in those who already have such a disorder, 2) development of a trauma or stressor related disorder, such as acute stress disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or adjustment disorders, and 3) development of a symptomatic stress response that does not meet the diagnostic criteria of a psychiatric disorder. The authors reviewed existing literature on past epidemics, natural disasters, and COVID-19 with a focus on psychiatry and mental health. Psychological effects of past epidemics (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoV-1, Ebola, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, the Anthrax threat), past natural disasters, and current COVID-19 data suggest numerous psychological effects following the pandemic. Alcohol use, PTSD, anxiety, anger, fear of contagion, perceived risk, uncertainty, and distrust are a few of the immediate and long-term effects that are likely to result from the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying people in need of mental health care and determining the appropriate psychiatric services and therapy needed will be important. Increasing the use and availability of telehealth, group meetings, and online resources are some ways that health care workers can prepare for the increasing demand of psychiatric services during and following the pandemic.

Exacerbating Inequalities: Social Networks, Racial/Ethnic Disparities, and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.

ObjectivesThe disruption and contraction of older adults’ social networks are among the less discussed consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective was to provide an evidence-based commentary on racial/ethnic disparities in social network resources and draw attention to the ways in which disasters differentially affect social networks, with meaningful insight for the ongoing pandemic.MethodsWe draw upon prior research on social networks and past natural disasters to identify major areas of network inequality. Attention is given to how pre-pandemic racial/ethnic network disparities are exacerbated during the current crisis, with implications for physical and mental health outcomes.ResultsEvidence from the literature shows a robust association between strong social networks and physical and mental health outcomes. During times of crisis, access to social networks for older adults is disrupted, particularly for marginalized groups. We document pre-pandemic disparities in social networks resources and offer insight for examining the impact of COVID-19 on disrupting social networks among older adults.DiscussionImportantly, racial/ethnic disparities in social networks both prior to and as a result of the pandemic intensify existing inequalities and demonstrate the necessity of better understanding social network inequalities for marginalized older adults, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis.

Orthodontics at Times of National Emergency: Past and Current Crises Part 1: Past Crises and Lessons Learnt

This paper explores past natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina (USA), the Great East Japan and Christchurch (New Zealand) Earthquakes as well as the HIV and SARS pandemics and the impact they had on providing orthodontic services at the time of the crisis. It also addresses the lessons learnt during the process of recovery and the long-term changes made as a result to the provision of care. CPD/Clinical Relevance: To provide a review of how orthodontics as a specialty survived past crises and to use the lessons learnt to navigate the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Reconstructing past flood events from geomorphological and historical data. The Giétro outburst flood in 1818

ABSTRACT The 16th of June 1818, the failure of the Giétro glacier in the Swiss Alps provoked an outburst flood that devastated the Bagnes valley, causing 34 deaths and major damages to buildings, road system, hydraulic infrastructures and crops. This disaster had a major impact on the economy of the valley and created a great movement of solidarity. It remains today a well-known historical natural disaster. In order to reconstruct the course of the wave and to map the flood, we used an interdisciplinary approach by crossing historical and geomorphological data. We first compiled and mapped the large number of historical data available in the local and state archives. These data were then completed by geomorphological observations made on the field and on numerical documents. The resulting map presents the spatial extent of the flood and water depths. This article shows the validity of interdisciplinary approaches for reconstructing past natural disasters.

Disasters and biodiversity: case study on the endangered endemic marine ornamental Banggai cardinalfish

Disasters are notoriously unpredictable; they can strike anytime, anywhere. However, in this Anthropocene Epoch, humanity has increased the likelihood of many disasters, as well as their likely severity and socio-ecological impacts, with implications for the future of natural resources; in particular, marine ecosystems and biodiversity, and the human communities who rely on them. This case study focussed on the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), a unique species of global conservation concern, and its native habitat in the Banggai Archipelago, at the centre of the Coral Triangle (CT) global marine biodiversity hotspot. To evaluate future risks and implications, we looked back to the past, including an overview of what is known regarding the origins and evolution of this species and its habitat, as well as past natural disasters in the Banggai Archipelago, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. We then reviewed current status and trends affecting the likelihood of exposure and the vulnerability of endemic P. kauderni populations and habitat, overall and at the evolutionary significant unit (ESU) scale, to disasters caused by tectonic phenomena, disasters related to weather and anthropogenic climate change (e.g. mass coral bleaching, sea level rise), and the synergies between disaster impacts and localised human activities. Finally, we considered management options with potential for mitigating disaster risk and increasing resilience, with benefits for both biodiversity and human welfare, as well as avenues for future research. We conclude that local action can buy time, but it is likely that the eventual fate of this “flagship” species, as well as the human communities of this equatorial archipelago, depend on effective global action to curb the drivers of anthropogenic climate change.

Keep the mission in mind and forging ahead bravely: thinking on the lead development of intensive medicine in Henan Province

With the establishment of clinical second-level discipline status, the development of critical care medicine in China has entered a rapid stage. Compared with the advanced provinces in China, the construction of critical care medicine in Henan Province started late but developed rapidly. In addition to the hospital treatment of severe patients, critical care medicine has played an important role in the past natural disasters and public health emergencies. The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University is the hospital to establish the critical care discipline, which has led and witnessed the establishment and development of the critical care medicine specialty in the whole province. However, opportunities and challenges coexist, and there are still problems and difficulties in the development of critical care medicine, which need our thinking and solving.

Natural Disasters, Geotourism, and Geo-interpretation

Natural disasters may be considered as opportunities to learn about the magnitude of natural processes and to better understand the role of human factors, especially exposure to risk. In this paper, we look at sites of past natural disasters from the perspective of geotourism. In a number of archeological sites from antiquity, one may see evidence of thorough destruction, mainly due to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, although these sites are explored as glimpses into the past style of life rather than lessons about the power of nature. Twentieth and twenty-first century disasters are commemorated with monuments and plaques, but the tangible evidence of destruction is often quickly erased, both intentionally and due to post-event natural processes themselves. In this way, opportunities to use disaster sites as learning grounds are lost. However, there are examples of educational trails and museums, which illustrate the value of preserving some evidence of infrequent, but catastrophic events.

Disability through an inclusive lens: disaster risk reduction in schools

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use an inclusive lens to explore pathways and considers, through the voices of children and adult participants, the complexities in implementing effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) in schools comprising children with disabilities. It identifies obstacles and suggests policy recommendations that consider their needs in DRR.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on a case study of two schools supporting children with disabilities in the New Zealand regions of Hawke’s Bay and Auckland, each with differing experiences of past natural hazards and disasters. Data from children’s workshop activities, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, workshop photographs, school safety and policy documents were coded in Nvivo software to categorize data and to identify themes for cross-case analysis and discussion.FindingsThe research reveals three key pathways that schools can take in promoting inclusiveness in DRR. They are the provision of safe and accessible school building designs and facilities, avenues for children’s involvement and leadership in DRR initiatives, and in decision-making processes. Schools also offer opportunities for a collaborative effort towards inclusiveness in DRR within the school and with other stakeholders.Research limitations/implicationsBased on the findings, the paper suggests four broad policy recommendations for consideration towards strengthening the role of schools in disability-inclusive DRR.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to ongoing DRR efforts and adds new information to the disaster literature on the role of schools in disability-inclusive DRR.

Integrated Elements of Early Warning Systems to Enhance Disaster Resilience in the Arab Region

The Arab region’s coastal zones are of immense importance. Almost all Arab countries need to build up resilience for vulnerable communities and carry out proactive planning for integrated coastal zone management and development of early warning systems for vulnerable coastal areas. It is clear that through the analysis of past natural disasters, the links between the four elements (risk knowledge, monitoring and warning service, dissemination and communication, response capability) of EWS are weak, leading to a reduced effectiveness of the system. The focus is on the development of technology more than on members of the community at risk. There is also weakness in institutional cooperation and one of the main challenges is in early warning. This problem has encouraged the researcher to propose a guideline for early warning of natural disasters and increase its effectiveness by involving members of the community and improving institutional cooperation between stakeholders. The objective of this paper is to identify and assess some of the main areas vulnerable to sea level rise in the Arab world. A survey of case studies in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and Egypt is undertaken. The main objectives are to identify vulnerabilities from coastal flooding, assess adaptation measures and point out the urgent need to build up institutional and human capacities in response to the problem. identify gaps, points of strength and points of weakness in early warning and discuss options for adaptation and the need for implementing major elements of the EWS.

Considering disaster vulnerability and resiliency: the case of hurricane effects on tourism-based economies

In this study, we examine the vulnerability and resiliency of 10 tourism-based regional economies which include US national parks or seashores (situated on the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean coastline) affected by several hurricanes over a 26-year period. The vulnerability of each economy to natural disasters was estimated using a panel linear model, while resilience was estimated by employing a negative binomial panel regression and a difference-in-difference model. Natural disaster damage, related to physical damage and human loss, was shown to have a negative effect on regional economies. Regions with stronger economies prior to natural disasters have lower disaster losses than regions with weaker economic characteristics. More effort to improve regional economic conditions before natural disasters is necessary to minimize disaster loss. Lessons learned from the economic impacts of past natural disasters, in particular in tourism-based regions, can help regional planners and policy makers predict problems related to disasters and more effectively prepare for future events.

Natural Disasters and Asia: Introduction

Natural disasters inflict tremendous social, economic and human costs. They have the potential to affect the economic development not only of a domestic economy, but also the rest of the world, given the extent of interconnected production networks in this globalized era. The main objective of this special issue is to highlight the real issues of natural disaster management. This special issue focuses on key policy issues and case studies of recent events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake, and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). We believe the lessons learned from past natural disasters should help to alleviate both the direct and indirect impacts of future disasters.

Govt. Readies MH Response To Future Terrorist Attacks

Govt. Readies MH Response To Future Terrorist Attacks