Search

I'm interested in better understanding the ongoing geological processes that shape St. Louis and the Mississippi Valley region. So far, I've been looking into the history of seismicity in the region, focusing on the fascinating but little known history of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 -- the most devastating earthquakes to have hit the US east of the Rockies. I've also been exploring how St. Louis and surrounding areas are dealing with the possibility of another earthquake occurring in the future. According to one article I read, one of the biggest uncertainties is what would happen to the heavily engineered Mississippi River in the case of another major tremblor. The shaking could break the levees, flooding wide areas along the river and creating cascading effects. The flow of the river might also reverse completely, as occurred during the New Madrid earthquakes.

On these possibilities and the lack of scientific consensus surrounding intraplate seismicity in this zone, see this article in The Atlantic.

On current efforts to create earthquake hazard maps in St. Louis, see this overview on the US Geological Survey site.

For a deeper dive into the history of the New Madrid earthquakes, see this book by historian of science Conevery Bolton Valencius. 

I would say that the perspectives of the government as well as first responders were not included in this film. They were not able to communicate the stresses as well as the lack of resources and man power. There were no viewpoints from first responders or volunteers, having that testimony would have more accurately depicted the hardships that first responders and aid were facing. 

The purpose of this study is to look at the effect of social and economic factors, status and health comunication behaviors on people's knowledge about the flu pandemic and prevention efforts. In the past it has been reflected in studies that people in different social groups have a far different access to information form each other about health and specific threats of diseases, which in effect may alter their behavior and knowledge on the topic. This study looks to see if these inequalities lead to a compromised  adversity in these vulnerable populations when it comes to responses to the flu outbreak. 

The author supports his arguments by discussing other events such as the US capitol building burning, the Hague Street boiler explosion, and Iroquois Theater Fire. The Capital Building section of the paper focused on the investigation that followed and what it revealed in terms of the people's concern of the meaning behind the burning of the building, rather than the building actually falling down. This section follows the investigation as well as the ultimate rebuilding of the Capitol. The Hague Street Explosion was similar in that there was an investigation. This investigation was focused on figuring out a party to blame. It was ultimate decided everyone involved with the boiler at all was responsible. The Iroquois theater fire section discussed mechanisms that caused and could have accounted for what occurred. Building codes were questioned as well and proved to be a unique disaster investigation. This was due to the factor of public responsibility at play in this disaster. 

This website itself doesn't translate the data into information. Researchers collect the data, run analyses and tests, and then post them on the site for the public as well as other researchers. The website doesn't translate or post any data, registry staff does. Participants also do not enter the information into the website. Any information participants need to update or provide must be given directly to the registry staff.

I researched Rikers island's history of inmate treatment, any documented cases of abuse as well as medical protocols they have intact. I also researched how medical care works in jails in general and what common afflictions and issues doctors may see with inmates. The effect Rikers island has on the surrounding areas, environmentally was also researched.