MODULE IV
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How do stories of cataclysmic events help inform students about geosciences and cultures?

Truth is always more interesting than fiction! Stories of cataclysmic events passed down through the rich oral traditions of Elders and eyewitness accounts adds a realistic tone to the event that surpasses any boring textbook account, especially if the person is about the same age as the reader. Oral first person accounts have helped fill in the details before such events were recorded. As American philosopher George Santayana once said;"Those who cannot remember the past are condenmed to repeat it" (from "Life of Reason I").

Cataclysmic events such as volcanoes,tsunamis,
and earthquakes have lasting impact on both the landscape and the human survivors that can endure for generations.

A town's buildings, libraries, works of art, and history can be severely damaged or completely lost in a matter of terrifying seconds. As was the case during the 1964 earthquake that struck Alaska with a magnittude greater than 10,000 Hiroshimo bombs on the morning of March 27th.

Towns such as Valdez and Girwood were forced to move the remains of their towns due to sinking. The worst damage was in Achorage, where whole streets dropped as much as 20 feet!
http://wulik.com/1964.htm

Populations can be dramatically impacted through lives lost, as well as residents so emotionally traumatized that they move away and never return as happened with some of the residents of Louisana following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

We must learn from the experiences of past survivors and plan how to better cope with such disasters in our future much like the Natives have survived them in the past.

Thermal imaging, infrared radiation, and seismiegraphs can help geoscientists better understand and plan for future problems. According to Richard M. Allen, (Professor of Geophysics @ UC Berkeley) scientists with just a 10 second lead on an earthquake can get planes and trains to slow down or stop which would hopefully lessen the amount of causalities.

"It's our responsibility to devise effective educational programs to ensure that the next generation does not forget" says Bernard. Its vital to teach our youth about local hazards and how best to prepare for them.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tsunami/wave.html