報告稱美國加州可能遭超級暴風雨襲擊
新聞網址 : http://news.163.com/11/0118/13/6QMDGHAN00014JB6.html
環球時報特約記者宋華報導
據美國媒體1月17日報導稱，超過100名科學家和專家在最新報告中指出，美國加利福尼亞州未來可能將遭遇冬季“超級暴風雨”襲擊，而這場災難預計將會毀掉該州四分之一的房屋，並造成造價值3000億至4000億美元損失。研究人員指出，“超級暴風雨”的破壞力將是由一次大地震帶來損失的四到五倍。 這聽起來像是一部有關世界末日的影片裏的情節，但美國地質勘探局科學家警告聯邦政府和國家緊急事務官員稱，加利福尼亞州的地質歷史表明，這種“超級暴風雨”過去曾經出現過，應該被列入加州自然災害列表。 過去150年間，加州暴風雨威脅一直處於沉睡狀態。美國地質調查局局長麥克納特告訴《紐約時報》稱，1861-62年間，中央山谷一片300英里（約483公里）區域被淹沒。由於洪水來勢兇猛，致使該州首府被移往三藩市，州長利蘭·斯坦福不得不乘小船參加就職儀式。地質證據表明，在過去的幾個世紀中，加州甚至還發生過更大規模的暴風雨。科學家稱，全球氣溫升高使天氣模式變得更加不穩定，也提高了加州遭遇“超級暴風雨襲擊”的係數。
科學家進行的類比顯示，超級暴風雨可能會持續40多天，給該州帶來10英尺（約3米）的降水。美聯社報導稱，超級暴風雨可能是由一條“大氣河流”所致，這條“大氣河流”流速相當於50條密西西比河水同時湧入墨西哥灣。“超級暴風雨”期間，暴風時速可達125英里（約201公里），而且還可能伴有山體滑坡事件，加劇破壞性。
美國氣候研究人員警告說，這種“超級暴風雨”是假想的，但並非不可能。地質勘測科學家露西·鐘斯在一次新聞發佈會上指出：“我們認為此類事件會在每100或200年左右發生一次，可與聖安德列斯大地震歸於一個範疇”。 (本文來源：環球時報-環球網。 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
原文報導 : http://www.examiner.com/natural-disasters-in-national/atmospheric-river-may-pose-bigger-disaster-risk-to-california-than-earthquakes
'Atmospheric river' may pose bigger disaster risk to California than earthquakes
Continue reading on Examiner.com: 'Atmospheric river' may pose bigger disaster risk to California than earthquakes - National Natural Disasters | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/natural-disasters-in-national/atmospheric-river-may-pose-bigger-disaster-risk-to-california-than-earthquakes#ixzz1BXJUIP5h
When someone thinks of California and natural disasters, earthquakes are the first thing that comes to most people’s minds. However, a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey warns that a major flood event brought to the state via an ‘atmospheric river’ has the potential to do much wider and long-lasting damage. The two year study is part of the USGS’ effort to better analyze not only the effects of major disasters but also the response by citizens, governments and businesses. Called ARkStorm (for Atmospheric River 1,000), the study poses a scenario where a major winter storm strikes the Golden State with heavy precipitation not seen in more than 100 years. The analysis of the hypothetical, but very possible storm portrays a calamity not seen in modern times as more than 1 million people are affected and the world’s eigth largest economy threatens to fail.Researchers based the ARkStorm disaster on winter storms that struck California at the end of 1861 and continued into 1862. That series of storms flooded the Sacramento Valley turning it into what the study called an inland sea. The state capital was temporarily relocated to San Francisco as flooding covered an area up to 300 miles long.Should that storm occur today, the impact would be nothing short of devastating. Much greater population density, increased industry and the importance of California as an economic hub for the United States would ensure a tremendous blow. The study authors ponder, “Everyone talks about The Big One, but what exactly does "The Big One" mean?” While an earthquake would be disastrous in its own right, those events are generally localized and not widespread.This monstrous storm would cause flooding not only across the Central Valley but in the major metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. More than $725 billion in losses would be realized between property damage and business interruptions. The loss of power, water and sewer services by the flooding would run the risk of creating a humanitarian disaster. The evacuation of 1.5 million residents from inland and delta areas could be required. The study, available on the USGS website, provides a fascinating look the implications of what is not a far-fetched scenario at all. The researchers hope that the exercise will be used by policy makers to aid in emergency preparedness planning and disaster recovery.For all the latest on all types of natural disasters, click the 'Subscribe' button at the top to receive an email whenever a new story is posted. You can also follow us on Twitter or on Google Buzz and 'like' us on Facebook to stay up to date.
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[/url] 更新日期:2011/01/17 12:01 
