Thursday, May 17, 2018

Quakes Damage Roads as Ash Spews From Hawaii Volcano




Link To Chicago Tribune Source

Summary:

Earthquakes have been damaging both roads and buildings on the Big Island of Hawaii since Wednesday. Ash emissions have streamed from the Kilauea volcano continuously. There have been occasional spouts of ash shooting out of the volcano, causing ash to fall downwind onto several communities. On Tuesday, Ash had spouted as high as 12,000 feet into the air according to local scientists on site. "'We're all safe, and I wish they'd open the park back up, but they have to keep it safe for everybody,' said Ken McGilvray, an area resident. 'We live on a volcano!"" However it has been recommended that more than 1,000 residents be evacuated due to the eruption, many if not most of the residents have elected to stay put, as they have lived there for many years and are used to earthquakes and eruptions such as these. Although so far these events have been quite normal for the volcano, geologists have warned that a larger-scale eruption could occur that would send huge boulders shooting up in the air and landing on near-by communities. Although it is still a possibility, it is still unclear as to whether or not this is likely to occur. 

Opinion:
Ultimately, it is up to the people that have lived in these communities for many years that can decide whether or not they want to evacuate or stay put. The biggest issue currently would most likely be the air quality. All of that ash would create awful air quality, which, in turn, could prove deadly for the lungs. But, in regards to falling boulders, this article does not give out the impression that geologists are very worried about the possible large-scale eruption, otherwise, residents would not be allowed to make the decision to stay at home on the volcano, as this would mean certain death for the entirely of the community.

Questions:
1) If a natural disaster is going to result in catastrophic ends, is it morally ethical to force people out of their homes?
2) Should the residence of the communities on the volcano be concerned about the hypotheses of geologists?
3) What in the constitution could possibly prevent the government from forcing an evacuation of these communities living on the Kilauea volcano?
4) Which interest group would be concerned about this event regarding the changing air-quality in Hawaii's Big Island. 

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that while it is ultimately the people's choice to stay in their homes or evacuate, it is important that the experts and authorities offer help and advice on how they would proceed as the volcano eruptions continue. Even if it is pretty impossible to ensure that everyone listens to authority figures, states do have the power to issue mandatory evacuations. If they leave all decisions up to the people, it would be really easy to blame them for any lack of guidance should anything worse happen. After all, it is their duty to try to keep people safe. The people in the communities, especially the ones closer to the danger zone, should be mindful about the geologists hypotheses because they are the ones that are devoted to studying, researching, and keeping up with these types of situations.

Anonymous said...

I mean would you really want to stay when your entire living area is going up in flames? No, I don't think you should force people out of their homes, but they should be warned of the extreme risks of staying. Yes, they should be extremely worried about the geologists hypotheses or at least be aware that such a thing could happen. I can understand that one would not want to uproot themselves from where they've been living their entire lives, but it all comes down to survival. If a larger scale eruption does occur, hundreds of men, woman, children, and animals could lose their lives in a potentially dangerous and painful way.

Anonymous said...

Yes it is their choice if the residents would like to stay in their homes, but I would first listen to the hypothesis and recommendations of the geologists. Scientifically backed evidence should usually be at least in consideration when deciding if one should evacuate or stay put. I agree in that the ash from the volcano is definitely one of the biggest concerns in that situation because of the ability for the ash to reach resident homes in the area.

Anonymous said...

I think that it is their choice to stay in their homes, but I also believe that they need to know the dangerous of staying with the volcano. I do think that they should listen to scientific evidence, but if the government is asking them to evacuate they should give them an option of where to stay in the meantime.

Anonymous said...

I think that they should not be forced out of their homes. The only thing that should occur is a discussion of evacuation when needed. One should be recommended to evacuate, but at the end of the day, it is up to the person to leave or stay. If I were them, I would leave just to be cautious, but someone should not be forced to do something they do not want to do. These natural disasters could be dangerous, so it is important to be cautious and be prepared.

Anonymous said...

It should be the people's choice whether they should stay or leave. They knew what they were getting into when moving/buying a house or condo in Hawaii. I believe that they should be concerned about the hypothesis from geologist, because it is possible that the city of Honolulu can just be wiped by lava. They should always be prepared in case of an emergency like this

Anonymous said...

I think that it's your own preoperative whether or not you want to leave your home behind. If you are a mentally capable individual, in charge of your own well being it's up to you whether or not you want to risk your safety. If there are any mentally unfit individuals, like in a psychiatric institution, I think they should be taken care of with the caretaker in charge. Same for children, if an orphanage is in this area then they should be taken care of. However, these are just examples of instances I think would not fit the general public. Those people should take the professionals hypotheses with great consideration. It is there job in that kind of situation.

Anonymous said...

It's important to protect people, but I don't think it's morally ethical to force people out of their homes, as they should have the freedom of choice when it comes to that decision. Residents, however, should definitely be taking into consideration the recommendations of the geologists and other people advising them to evacuate. From a government's standpoint, I think it would be in their best interest to try to convince people as much as possible to leave, given the long term effects of poor air quality, and the steps they'd have to take if the people they are supposed to protect are harmed.

Anonymous said...

If a natural disaster is approaching, I believe that forcing people out of their homes is necessary to avoid even more disasters like death. It is important for people to understand that natural disasters are real and that evacuating is more important than making a point to stay in their homes out of stubbornness. People should definitely be concerned with the hypotheses of geologists because a larger-scale eruption could be detrimental to many communities and also have a major economic effect on the people residing in the area. Any environmental interest group would be concerned about this event.

Anonymous said...

Each resident must be informed of the potential risks but should be allowed to stay if he/she pleases. Many people view the bay area the way in which we are viewing Hawaii. We are at constant threat of a major earthquake, and yet we choose to remain here for various reasons. The inhabitants of Hawaii are accustomed to the threat of natural disasters but may find that to be as normal as we find earthquakes.

Anonymous said...

I agree that people shouldn't be forced to evacuate their homes because their right to choose is important. However, I think they should be strongly cautioned against staying if they have the ability to evacuate, as it is obviously very dangerous to stay during a volcano eruption. I think it might help if Hawaiians were regularly taught and warned long before eruptions about what could happen and how dangerous it could get, urging them to have a plan in case something happens so that they are prepared; of course, while they already understand how disastrous an eruption would be, I think if they are given regular warnings, they will be more prepared to make their choice if they want to evacuate. I think urging people to leave right after an eruption could make them more fearful and less willing to act, so maybe more would choose to evacuate if they were able to make their choice before a disaster even happened.

Anonymous said...

I agree that it isn’t morally ethical to force people out of their homes, but that the government should advise residents to do so. I think its important to place a warning and urge people to evacuate since some may not understand the entire gravity of the situation — they may think that because the eruptions or earthquakes have stopped that there aren’t other factors including bad air quality that can damage their health. While it's difficult to move out of a home that has significance and importance to families for many years, I think that it is more important for families to take into consideration geologists’ warnings and do what’s best for their overall health.

Anonymous said...

Nope, we should not force people out of their homes. It is important that we should let them make their own decisions about whether or not they want to die here. Honestly, people that do not evacuate do not value their life, so just let them be. Yes residents of the Island should probably listen to the geologists because just the chance that they all die is enough for people to listen to them.

Anonymous said...

They live on a volcano but, this volcano is very active I doubt that it would make an eruption big enough to cause too much damage cause there's not enough pressure to make a big enough explosion. Although, the people should take into consideration of what geologist have to say since they know better if a bigger catastrophe is at hand. If only necessary, that a big enough explosion that has the potential to reach any of the major city than they should listen to the government and get out. Even if it doesn't hit the city, the air quality would definitely be of concern for both the citizens and the government.

Anonymous said...

If support was provided in aiding families to move, settle in, and rebuild a family in a new location, then forcing people out is justifiable. However, with today’s political climate it is too idealistic and intangible to call upon the White House to provide finances and aid, as Hawaii itself can not support the burden of these earthquakes on their own. While predictions aren’t always accurate, it is important to take precautionary measures in the case that something drastic does happen. Environmental agencies and lobbyists can use these incidents as a platform to push legislators in supporting Hawaii in the short term, and preserving the environment in the long run.

Anonymous said...

I think it is justified to force people out of their homes because 1. the place is unsafe and 2. the air quality is toxic due to the active volcano. I think the residence should be concerned because geologists are experts and the fact that they are experts, they are well aware of analyzing the volcano activity

Anonymous said...

I think that residents should be heavily warned of the dangers of staying in their homes but not forced out. At the end of the day, it is up to the individual to do what they want, and if they would rather stay in a home that is in danger, let them. As long as people understand what they are getting themselves into, I think that it is fair to let them do what they want. I think the hypothesizes of the geologists should be taken with great concern, as they are the experts on stuff like this and know more than anyone. Personally, I would evacuate my home.

Anonymous said...

I think that it's okay to move people especially if it's for their safety,but they should have a shelter, or somewhere to go. It's not okay to just leave them in the streets and do nothing to help. Of course their protections is very important but we should help them as much as we can.

Anonymous said...

1) If a natural disaster is going to result in catastrophic ends, is it morally ethical to force people out of their homes?
-it is not ethical because it is peoples decisons. lets say you force people out of their homes to safety,what happens after? if the house is not destroyed the people will compain about being forced out with no physical evidence. and if they are kept in their house, and they die people will complain that they shouldve made it mandatory. ultimitaly its a lose lose, but one side people get to excercise their right to stay on their property
2) Should the residence of the communities on the volcano be concerned about the hypotheses of geologists?
-being locals for many years and understanding the risk of what could happen, it is always a good idea to evacuate. worst case scenario,the house gets destroyed and people are safe. if people stay they are putting their lives at risk.
3) What in the constitution could possibly prevent the government from forcing an evacuation of these communities living on the Kilauea volcano?
-the bill of rights. the ability to excercise their bill of rights give them immunity
4) Which interest group would be concerned about this event regarding the changing air-quality in Hawaii's Big Island.
the libretarians

Anonymous said...

As a lot of others mentioned before, it is definitely solely up to the residents whether they want to move or not. Obviously, it may be dangerous for the people to stay, but if they suffer the consequences that is on them. It's nobody else's fault if the warning signs were given and they still chose to stay and suffer. I know my opinion may be a little harsh but it's true.

Anonymous said...

While it is dangerous for the residents to stay, they should be warned that their lives are in some danger here. Those who treasure their lives over their homes should be advised, and not pressured into staying with their homes if they wish to leave. The obvious Constitutional legislation that prevents the government from forcibly evacuating the residents is the 5th amendment's protection against the deprivation of life, liberty and property. The residents of these homes should definitely be concerned for their safety.

Anonymous said...

Like many have stated before, I think that residents of homes that could potentially be affected should be warned of the dangers of staying in their homes but no be forced to leave them. Like Iman said, at the end of the day it is an individual's personal decision whether to leave or stay, and if they stay, then anything that happens to them will be their responsibility. I also agree with Shweta in that if there is an inadequate amount of aid that is being provided to those who leave their homes, it would be justifiable for an individual to choose to stay in their homes for comfort and risk the potential danger. On the topic of the geologists, while they just have hypothesis about what could occur, they are the experts, so I would definetely consider their warnings and prepare accordingly.

Anonymous said...

I agree that if one's homes are in danger, then they need to be warned of the potential danger and disaster that may occur. I dont think that they have the power to force one out of their homes but it is morally right to notify them of what may occur. There a huge risks to staying near these volcanos as it can ultimately be their lives at stake. These people need to constantly keep up to date with what the geologists are hypothesizing, as they are experts in this area and are constantly analyzing what may occur. While it must be so difficult to have to leave behind one's home and possibly a majority of possessions, its important to consider what the geologists are saying because if they don't evacuate in such a dangerous time, there is a high risk of them losing their lives. If they do ultimately choose to stay, they need to be very careful and prepared mentally and physically for what may occur.

Anonymous said...

I think that the government does not have the power to force people out of their homes. However, I think it is important that they give a lot of warning signs and notify them of when this would potentially occur. It is their choice to live in danger. However, I think the government should also provide safety protocols to those who choose to stay behind.