Final Hazards Report

     After taking Geology 9, I have learned so much more about my country and it's natural hazards. Iran faces a variety of natural hazards, but the main ones seem to be earthquakes and floods. Iran is located in a very active seismic region in between the Arabian and Eurasia tectonic plates. More than 90% of the country is at risk from earthquakes. It is almost a fact that they will suffer an extreme earthquake every several years. In 2003, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake destroyed the city of Bam and killed roughly 26, 000 people. The Bam earthquake was a strike slip, which means the ground on either side of the faults moved mostly horizontally. On April 9, 2013, another deadly earthquake hit Iran and killed dozens. The 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the Zagros Mountains, which is the exact boundary between the Eurasian and Arabian plates. It was a fault thrust earthquake, meaning the ground on one side of the fault moved vertically up and over the other side, shortening the distance between the two sides. The scary part was that the focus of the earthquake was only 55 miles away from Iran's nuclear power station. Unfortunately, the quake had resulted in a great amount of damage because of poor construction.  Many cities of Iran are poor and can not afford proper buildings therefor, when an earthquake hits the cities are not prepared and the outcome is deadly. Over the past 35 years, more than 100, 000 people have died due to this hazard. That is why I addressed earthquakes as a priority.
   
     Floods have obtained more than 20% of Iran's disasters from 1950 to 2003. Floods are known to be one of the most frequent and damaging type of natural hazard in the country. The annual damage due to floods is an average of $62 million and seems to be increasing each year, which makes this hazard a top priority.  There are also many factors that can increase the damage of floods such as flood plain encroachment, deforestation, extensive gravel mining, improper design of infrastructures, and lack of education. Flash floods are a very common type of flood in Iran; They usually take place in dry areas that have recently received precipitation. They occur when it rains rapidly on saturated soil or dry soil that has poor absorption ability. The run off can collect in places like gullies and streams, where their volume starts to grow larger, and forms a fast flowing front of water and debris. These heavy torrential rains have been seen in provinces such as Golestan, Khorasan, and Semnan. The flash flood in Golestan of August, 2002 brought a death toll of 39 people, and directly or indirectly affected 200,000 people.

     Fortunately, Iran has an National Disaster Management System that seems to be quite effective. Therefor, there are not many recommendations I can think of that the organization has not addressed. I will say I find it very important that Iran is taking actions before a disaster rather than after. Iran's people should also be well educated on what to do before, during, and after these natural hazards. This could potentially decrease the risks of damages and fatalities. One recommendation I may have is creating a suitable management program, with sustainable resources, in the local and regional level. Because, so many structures in Iran are vulnerable due to the lack of resources given. So when an earthquake or flood occurs, it destroys homes and brings a grave economic loss to the country. That is why this program would develop a procedure in order to build proper and sustainable structures no matter what city it is in.

     The locations I would first target help would be the provinces of Golestan, Khorasan, and Semnan for it's extensive flooding. In just one flood, a total of 4300 ha of agricultural land was severely damages. These provinces have an important role in agriculture and the economy of Iran. Therefor, I believe flood control and mitigation is a priority. I believe they should have constant attention and resources. For earthquakes, I would first target help to provinces of Qazwin, Hamedan, and Markazi. They are located in the northwest part of Iran and serve as a bridge between Tehran and the northern and western regions. These towns are important transit centers on the main route between Tehran and Northwest of Iran.
   
     If I had to construct my home in Iran, I would locate it anywhere in the southern region. Iran is one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world. The entire country faces moderate to very high seismic risks since it lies over two major seismic belts. But the northern belt is more hazardous as many people live in the region. The northern region is also at risk for severe floods.

Sources:
http://reliefweb.int/report/iran-islamic-republic/iran-earthquake-emergency-response-project-information-document
http://cidbimena.desastres.hn/docum/crid/Jun-Jul2004/pdf/eng/doc15163/doc15163-a.pdf
http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/~amir/files/Seismic_Hazard_in_Iran.pdfhttp://web.mit.edu/isg/PUBLICATIONS/earthquake_management_jan_04.pdf
http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/~amir/files/Seismic_Hazard_in_Iran.pdf

Iran's Coastal Problems

Iran suffers from various coastal problems due to having two separate coastlines with different characteristics. It's north and south coastlines are about 3000 kilometer in length. The northern coastal area has three coastal provinces. These provinces have a Mediterranean climate with enjoyable sceneries which make it the destination of million tourists a year. They also consist of a major agricultural poll. The north is  over populated and has a significant amount of development due to the boost in its economy. The southern coastal area consists of four provinces. It is mostly underdeveloped and somewhat deserted due to it's harsh climate and shortage of surface and ground water.  Hydrocarbon pollution is a major issue for Iran's marine and coastal environment. This was due to intense oil and gas exploitation activities in the Caspian Sea, and occurrence of the two wars in the Persian Gulf during the last two decades. As a result, biodiversity is being threatened and natural resources are deteriorating. To Prevent these problems, Iran has developed ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management).  "The ICZM is a resource management system which employs an interactive, hollistic approach and an interactive planning process in addressing the complex management issues in the coastal areas" (Chua). Iran's plan has several long term goals. Some of the main ones are the following: establishment of sustainable social and economical development in the coastal areas, using the sea as main gates for connecting and interacting with other countries, protecting the environment, protect the right of the public for using the beaches as a common national wealth, making optimal use of the coastal regions and their resources, and organizing human habitats and installations in the coastal areas and providing the required safety.

Sources:
"Iran's Integrated Coastal Management Plan: Persian Gulf, Oman Sea, and Southern Caspian Sea Coastlines ." Web. 06 May 2016.

"Iran's Coastal Zone | Iran ICZM." Iran's Coastal Zone | Iran ICZM. Web. 06 May 2016.

Iran's Extreme Weather

Heat waves are one of the most extreme weather conditions Iran faces. Last year, Iran's heat index was off the charts. The city of Bandar Mahshahr had a  heat index level of 165 and the actual air temperature was 115 degrees with a dew point temperature of 90. Bandar Mahshahr lies adjacent to the Persian Gulf in southwest Iran where water temperatures are in the 90s. Such high temperatures lead to some of the most oppressive humidity levels in the world when wind blows off the sweltry water. It's extreme heat values occurred as a punishing heat wave engulfed the Middle East. Acuu Weather meteorologist Anthony Salgiani said in a statement,"That was one of the most incredible temperature observations I have ever seen, and it is one of the most extreme readings in the world." He also said a strong ridge of high pressure had persisted over the Middle East through much of July, resulting in the extreme heat wave in what many would consider the hottest places in the world. That same week, Baghdad sweltered an all time high record with temperatures reaching 124 degrees. The heat was so bad that Iraq's Council of Ministers declared a four-day mandatory holiday through out the country.

 

Iran also consists of extreme dust/ sand storms. On June 2, 2014, a massive dust storm took place in Tehran. Five men were killed and at least 30 people injured. It also damaged several automobiles and electric lines. It's winds reached up to 110km/h, knocking over trees and breaking windows as well. A shopkeeper from Iran told news agency, "It was a horrible storm and everywhere went dark." Dust storms also impose serious public health risks. If fine dust particles are inhaled and penetrated into the lungs, it can result in infections, respiratory difficulties, and cardiovascular problems. Protesters are coming about due to the way their government is handling such issues. A large group of people in the city of Ahwaz, the capital of Iran's oil rich Khuzestan province, gathered in protest at the government's handling of the environmental crisis. Protesters demanded the administration of President Hassan Rouhani to act, holding up cards saying that "healthy air is our right".

Sources:
Dehghan, Saeed Kamali. "Unprecedented Dust Storm Sparks Protests in Western Iran." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 2015. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.

"Iran Sandstorm Kills at Least Four in Tehran - BBC News." BBC News. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.

"Feels-Like Temp Reaches 164 Degrees in Iran, 159 in Iraq; Days Off Ordered as Mideast Broils in Extreme Heat Wave." The Weather Channel. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.

Service , Forecast National Weather. "Iran City Hits Suffocating Heat Index of 165 Degrees, near World Record." Washington Post. The Washington Post. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.

Iran's Subsidence and Sinkholes

Subsidence is defined as a type of ground failure characterized by nearly vertical deformation, or the downward sinking of earth materials. It often produces circular surface pits, but it is possible to produce linear or irregular patterns of failure. Iran faces a great amount of subsidence. Tehran, Iran's capital which contains about 14 million people, is subject to ground water deformation. Tehran's ground water supply has been minimized over the past decades, partly due to immigration and rapid population growth, and partly due to increased extraction. The increasing demands upon ground water resources due to expanding metropolitan and agricultural areas are a serious challenge, especially in semiarid and arid regions. Decades of unrestrained groundwater extraction for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use have resulted in a dangerous decrease of this valuable resource. Ground water basins in central and northeast Iran often face the problem of declining groundwater levels, often due to the destruction of aquifers. There are many other locations in Iran that face subsidence, such as Rafsanjan, Mashad, Kashmar, and more. The technique of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is suited to monitor elastic and inelastic response of aquifer systems to changes in ground water levels, providing geological insight into the roles of geological structures and lithological parameters in plain aquifers. The InSAR's satellite is most sensitive to vertical motions, which is appropriate for measuring land subsidence. The InSAR- derived subsidence map show important information for the mitigation and land subsidence hazards in Iran and can possibly help improve the management of groundwater resources.

In the period of 1989 through 2004, there has been a large number of collapsed sinkholes in the Famenin and Kabudar plains, Hamdan province, west of Iran. Collapsed sinkholes develop when surface or near surface material collapses into an underground cavern. As subsidence features, these sink holes can develop into spectacular collapse structures. The Famenin and Kabudar plains are facing a serious deficiency in ground water resources. This is due to the increasing demand for drinking and agricultural products with rapid population growth and agricultural development. Because these sinkholes bring many risks such as the Hamdan electrical power plant, threatening human lives due to catastrophic subsidence, and destroying farm lands, Iran has assigned researchers to assist the hazard. In December of 2005, The West Regional Water Authority of Iran organized a conference on the sinkhole hazards. Database of sinkholes and knowledge of the mechanism has been made in order to manage the hazard.

Sources:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2008GL033814/pdf

http://conference.khuisf.ac.ir/DorsaPax/userfiles/file/pazhohesh/zamin%20mashad/91.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226306815_Hazards_and_mechanism_of_sinkholes_on_Kabudar_Ahang_and_Famenin_plains_of_Hamadan_Iran

Iran's Mass Wasting Hazards

Mass wasting is a term used for any type of down slope movement of earth materials. It is a significant part of the process or erosion because it moves materials from high elevations to lower elevations. There are various types of mass wasting distinguished by the type of earth material moving down- slope, the speed in which it moves, and sometimes the mechanics involved in its motion. Common examples are creep, earthflows, landslides, mud and debris flows, rockfalls, rock and debris avalanches, rock slides, rock topple, and slumps. The primary cause for mast wasting is the steepness of slope. Gravity is the driving force but it can also be triggered by other natural events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and flooding. Climate can also have a great influence. Certain human activities are known to affect mass wasting as well. Many potential problems can be avoided by sufficient planning techniques and engineering solutions. 

Mass wasting is being considered as one of the severe forms of natural disaster. Iran is geographically located in the Alps- Himalayas seismicity belt. It has a high potential to mass wasting. This creates land slides and rock fall in the Alborz and Zagros Mountains. Iran's scientists started mapping and studying various types of mass movement and stability of slopes. In the study, they used field data coupling with tectonic- related factors to provide a solution for slope related hazards. They first looked at geological factors such as lineaments and faults, vegetation, lithology, slope, drainage, land/use, land cover, seismicity and road networks. The study was divided into four regions based on the rate of mass wasting and its degree of vulnerability. The results showed how severe the erosion was in Karaj formation. The research also showed hydrothermal solutions caused by the erosional activities had influenced the glassy element of the tuffs and subsequently changed into the clays. Resulted in making the tuffs relatively unstable. It was found evident that most of the mass wasting has occurred in the unstable tuffs on the Karaj formation. Iran realized their road construction has increased the potential danger for generating the mass waste. They are trying to figure out a way to build roads that create the least amount of unstability. 

Works Cited: 

"What Causes Avalanches, Landslides, Flow, and Creep?" About. com. Education. Web. 26 Mar, 2016. 

"A Recent Scenario of Mass Wasting and Its Impact on the Transportation in Alborz Mountains, Iran Using Geo-information Technology." ResearchGate. Web. 26 Mar. 2016.

Iran's Volcanic Activity

     Iran lies between the Eurasian and Arabic tectonic plate that is known as the collision zone. Iran consists of a few intraplate volcanoes. Most notable is the stratovolcano, which is also the highest mountain in the Middle Eastern region. Mount Bazman is the youngest volcano of Iran. It is located 115 km away from northwest of Iranshahr and and 120 km away from Westrern Kash. This semi- active volcano has a height of 3490 meters from sea level. Bazman is made of pumice, lava and breccia, alternately. It was known to appear during the Quaternary period. Through observation, there has been a couple of small cones, made of basalt lava, spotted around the main peaks; the known rocks are made of acidic lavas seen in western flanks known as andesite and dacite. It's biggest crater has a diameter of 5000 meters. Mount Sabalan is a point type volcano bearing a stratavolcano cone. It's located in the western part of Ardebil with a height of 4800 meters. This mountain includes three cones along with each other and it's lava distribution indicates huge explosion and discharge of lava high volume. Geologically, it' s region is at the Oligocene big horst. Mount Sabalans only sign of activity is various sulfuric and hot water springs indicating post- volcanism phenomenon. Iran's third volcano is Mount Sahand. It has 12 cones separated a couple meters apart from one another. Sahand is located in southeastern region of Tabriz and has a height of 3600 meters. It's cones are made of tuff an ash. Existence of high volume of ash and pume pieces in far distanced indicates vigorous explosion. Mount Taftan is a semi- active volcano being the highest mount of Baluchestan, 450 meters from sea level, located near Khash city. Andestic is it's type of lava. It is an active volcano due to the various sulfuric springs surrounding the mount and gas emission from its highest peak. In 1970 to 1971, it was reported that molten materials came out of Taftan. Mount Damavand is a stratovolcano, as well as the highest mountain in the Middle Eastern region. It is placed 70 km northeast of Tehran and 70 km south of Caspian Sea. Mount Damavand' s first eruption was about 1. 78 million years ago in the Pleistocene. There were several known eruptions around 600, 000 and 280, 000 years ago, until it finally erupted 7, 300 years ago in the Holocene. It' s steep cone is formed by ash and lava flow made of trachyte, andesite, and basalt. Mount Damavand can be considered a potentially active volcano considering July 6, 2007 where fumaroles near the summit crater were emitting sulfur. Unfortunately, I could not find much information on Iran warning people of volcanoes. I believe since their volcanoes due not have extreme activity, the Iranian people are not extremely concerned and do not have it at the top of their priority list. Although, one fact I found interesting is a proposal has been made by the Iranian mountaineers to register Mount Damavand as a national heritage site. The department of Mazandaran Cultural Heritage and Tourism has accepted the proposal. I think it is a great idea for Iran to have an educational and research institution, especially of a volcano.

Works Cited 

"Damavand." Volcano, Iran. Volcano Discovery, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.

"Damavand Volcano Iran." Damavand Volcano Iran. Damawand.de, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.

"Volcano World." Damavand. Oregon State University, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.

Seismicity

Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world due to ninety percent of the country crossing over several major fault lines. It is positioned in a 1000- km- wide zone of compression between the colliding Eurasian and Arabian continents. From 1918- 2004, more than 2000 earthquakes were recorded in Iran. Most earthquakes in the continental lithosphere take place in the upper crust. Continental collision creates a shortening in the crust, resulting in thickening and distributed deformation. In the Zagros Mountains, nearly all earthquakes have a depth less than 20 kilometers (km) since they take place in the upper crust; this is where earthquakes occur the most frequent. On the other hand, in Southeastern Iran, where the Arabian seafloor is subducted beneath the Makran coast, low- level earthquakes occur from the upper crust to depths of at least 150 kilometers. Close to the Oman line, between Zagros and Makrain, seismicity reaches to depths of 30 to 45 km in the crust. In North- Central Iran, along the Aborz mountain belt, there is seismic activity in both the upper and lower crust, although mostly upper. The band across central Caspian consists of earthquakes with depths of 30 to 100 kilometers that deepen northwards. From the early 1900's to the late 1990's, there has been many earthquakes with a magnitude higher than 7. For example, in 1978 quake Tabas consisted of a 7. 7 magnitude which is highly destructive. Luckily, the Zagro's region has not faced any in the 20th century with a magnitude higher than 7.0. But earthquakes with magnitudes over 7.0 have shocked Central and Eastern Iran. Unfortunately, these earthquakes have been catastrophic and lead to the loss of human life and wide spread damage. 
 Due to the devastating earhtquake, Bam, the U.S. offered assistance in return the state promised to comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran agreed with the U.S. and focused on rebuilding their country. Testing, analyzing, and other methods were used by scientists, as well, to monitor activity. For example, the seismic hazard assessment of Iran was created by the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology so that it could indicate the earthquakes hazard of Iran.

Works Cited:
Geofisica, Annali. "Seismic Hazard Assessment of Iran." International Institution of Earthquake  Engineering and Seismology. Vol 42, N. 6. 6 December, 1999. Web. 18 Feb 2016.

"Relocation and Assessment of Seismicity in the Iran Region." Geophys. J. Int. 4 April. 2006. Web. 18 Feb 2016.