Friday, July 31, 2020
Confabulation Definition, Examples, and Treatments
Confabulation Definition, Examples, and Treatments Theories Cognitive Psychology Print What Is Confabulation? By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 26, 2018 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on August 16, 2019 More in Theories Cognitive Psychology Behavioral Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Causes Signs and Symptoms Types Treatments View All Back To Top Confabulation is a type of memory error in which gaps in memory are unconsciously filled with fabricated, misinterpreted, or distorted information. In these instances, the individual may confuse imaginings with real memories. While there is no conscious or intentional attempt to deceive, the person is quite confident of the truth of these memories, even when confronted with contradictory evidence. Causes Confabulation is often the result of brain disease or damage. Some of the conditions that are linked to confabulation include memory disorders, brain injuries, and certain psychiatric conditions. There are several associated psychological and neurological conditions: Wernicke-Korsakoffs syndrome is a neurological disorder often caused by chronic alcoholism that results in severe thiamine deficiency.Alzheimers disease is a form of dementia that is associated with memory loss, loss of cognitive abilities, language problems, and other issues.Traumatic brain injury is damage to certain regions of the brain and has been linked to the emergence of confabulated memories. Some studies have shown that people with damage to the inferior medial frontal lobe are more likely to confabulate than people with either no injury or injury to other areas of the brain.Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is marked by difficulty with understanding reality and abnormal behavior. Confabulation is sometimes seen in individuals with schizophrenia, often in patients who are experiencing delusions. Explanations What explains confabulation? There are a number of different theories, but some research suggests that two factors play an important role in certain instances of this memory disruption. Overlearning may result in some types of information being at the forefront of a persons mind. Since this information tends to loom large in a persons memory, it also tends to crowd out other details. When gaps in memory take place, the overlearned information may dominate and force out more specific facts and memories. This can lead to memory distortions and other inaccuracies.Poor encoding may result in information not being fully stored in long-term memory in the first place. For example, a person might become distracted during an event and not really be paying attention to the details. Since the information is not fully encoded into memory, the person is more susceptible to forgetting and other memory problems. Signs and Symptoms There are several common characteristics of confabulation. There is a lack of awareness that a memory is false or distorted. When errors are pointed out, the patient is unconcerned about the apparent unreality of his or her account.There is no attempt to deceive or lie. There is no hidden motivation for the patient to misremember the information.The story is usually drawn from the patients memory. The basis for the misremembered information usually is founded in past or current experiences and thoughts of the patient.The story can be either very probable or very improbable. The story might be completely coherent and plausible, whereas other stories may be highly incoherent and unrealistic. Types Confabulations are categorized into two different types: provoked and spontaneous. Provoked confabulations occur when a patient creates an untrue story in response to a specific question. This type of confabulation is the most common and often occurs in patients with dementia or amnesia.Spontaneous confabulations occur when a patient tells a fabricated story without any obvious motivation or provocation. This type of confabulation tends to be less common. Examples It is important to note that confabulation is not the same as lying. Lying involves presenting information with the intent to fool or manipulate others; those who confabulate are not doing so with the purpose of deceiving. While confabulation involves presenting false information, the people who are doing so believe that what they are remembering is true. For example, a person experiencing symptoms of dementia may be able to clearly describe the last time she met with her doctor, even if the scenarios she depicts never actually happened. A person with memory problems might not be able to remember exactly how she met a person. When asked, however, she might confabulate a story to explain the occasion on which she first met the individual. Another example of confabulation can occur when a person who has gaps in his memory is asked to remember and describe details of a past event. Instead of simply replying that he does not know, his mind will fill in the missing details with confabulated memories of the event. Confabulated memories can sometimes be quite elaborate and detailed. Schizophrenic patients who are experiencing delusions, for example, may confabulate memories that become increasingly fantastical and intricate the more they are questioned about them. In other cases, such memories can be very small and mundane. For example, a patient may not be able to remember exactly how he got a small bruise on his arm but may fabricate or misremember a story to explain how the injury occurred. Treatments Research suggests that confabulation may be difficult to treat. The recommended approach to treatment may depend upon the underlying cause associated with the problem if it is possible to identify the source. In patients with dementia, for example, arguing with the patient over the validity of their memories would serve little purpose. Rather than try to refute these memories, it is often simply better to offer acceptance and support. In other instances, confabulation can be addressed with psychotherapeutic and cognitive-behavioral treatments. These approaches usually focus on helping patients become more aware of their memory inaccuracies. Cognitive approaches that encourage patients to question what they do and do not remember can sometimes be helpful. Patients are encouraged to simply respond that they do not know something or that they are not sure rather than confabulating a response. One study found support for a neuropsychological treatment for confabulations. The treatment involved engaging participants in a memory task and then showing them their incorrect responses. When showing participants their errors, they were also given specific instructions to pay closer attention to the material and to think about their answers before responding. The results indicated that this approach was effective at reducing confabulations and that the effects generalized to other areas post-treatment. A Word From Verywell Family members and friends of people who are prone to confabulation may become frustrated or distressed because at times it may seem like their loved one is lying. Understanding that confabulation is not an attempt to deceive can sometimes make it easier to cope. While confabulation can be confusing or frustrating, it may also help people with memory disruptions cope with their current reality. Gaps in memory can be difficult and even frightening for people who experience them, so confabulated memories are one way that the mind might try to make sense of the world. If you are concerned that a loved one may be showing signs of confabulation, consider talking to a mental health professional to learn more about how you can deal with this situation. Its Not Always Alzheimers: What Causes Memory Loss
Friday, May 22, 2020
Evaluation Of A Student For Special Education Essay
In order for a student to be eligible for special education services, the regular education teacher discovers that there is a problem. From there, a screening must take place. The screening can consist of hearing, vision, communication, and any other type that may be needed. Permission is not needed in order to do a screening. Next, Response to Intervention begins, also known as RTI. This provides levels or tiers of increasingly intensive instruction to help students master academic content. Tier 1 takes place in a regular classroom setting. Tier 2 involves and allows the student to go out to a specialty teacher. Tier 3 mainly takes place in a special education classroom. Tier 3 requires more one-on-one instruction for the student from the teacher. RTI serves two purposes- support struggling learners and identify students with learning disabilities. Parents are invited to take part in their childââ¬â¢s RTI process. Other school professionals also take part during the RTI process to meet the child needs. Research Based Interventions are used during the RTI process. Data is gathered during the RTI process on a regular basis. After a few weeks, the team meets again to determine how beneficial the interventions are for the child. If RTI is working, it is continued, if RTI is not working, a meeting takes pla ce where the RTI data is presented. Then the referral process initiates. The referral process commences with an Admissions and Release Committee known as ARC. Here, the studentShow MoreRelatedEssay1706 Words à |à 7 PagesSpecial Education A. The six key components are as follows: 1. Zero Reject/FAPE: This says that all children ages 6-17, no matter what their physical/mental ability, are guaranteed the right to a free public education. 2. Nondiscriminatory Identification and Evaluation: This was put into place so that a child could not be placed into special education because of things such as a language barrier. Because of this component, for example, a child would not be assessed in English ifRead MoreThe Individuals With Disabilities Education Act1535 Words à |à 7 PagesDISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA) IDEA is the main law addressing the education of children and adolescents with disabilities. It ensures all individuals with disabilities between the ages of 3âËâ21 the right to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE), regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Schools must therefore provide services to meet the particular educational needs arising from a disabling condition that cannot be met in the general educational program. THE NATURE OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONRead MoreThe Importance Of A Child s Race Essay1370 Words à |à 6 Pagesmisidentified as needing special education. Disproportionality refers to the overrepresentation and under- representation of particular demographic groups in special education programs in relation to the overall student population (Disproportionality, 2008). Disproportionality can impact and have negative effects on a child throughout their entire education. This issue applies to various subgroups, but this paper will focus specifically on the overrepresentation of minority students, African AmericansRead MoreEvaluation Of A Formal Referral1691 Words à |à 7 Pagesis in need of special education services, a written request must be sent to the Child Study Team and it is treated as a formal referral. School district personnel, such as a childââ¬â¢s teacher, may suspect, through classroom observations, that a child may have a disability and can make a referral to the child study team. Within 20 calendar days of receiving a referral, the complete child study team must hold a meeting with the parent and the studentââ¬â¢s teacher to determine if an evaluation is warrantedRead MoreKey Legislation Governing Special Education819 Words à |à 4 PagesKey Legislation Governing Special Education The three key legislations governing special education that affect special education are the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Americans with Disabilities Act. These legislations work together to protect people with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights of children with disabilities. Within The Individuals with Disabilities ActRead MoreSan Bernardino City Unified School District858 Words à |à 4 Pagesthe largest populations for students with moderate to severe disabilities within the Inland Empire. Over the past decade San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) has sustained an influx of students who qualify for a moderate to severe special day classroom (SDC) setting and special education services. Effectively educating youth with moderate to severe disabilities is not a simplex task, as it requires multifaceted skillsets involving various spe cial education professionals. DevelopingRead MoreSpecial Education For All Handicapped Children Act1449 Words à |à 6 PagesSpecial Education A first grader sits in class and finds a toy car in his pocket, the teacher calls his name with no response, the little boy is now in trouble for not paying attention. In the classroom down the hall a little girl in kindergarten canââ¬â¢t stay in her seat long enough to finish her drawing in art class. Each of these students will most likely go through all thirteen years of public school struggling to concentrate and intellectually compete with their peers. If something as simpleRead MoreTeaching Strategies And Delivery Instruction969 Words à |à 4 PagesOver the course of time education, general and special, has soared to meet the needs of all students. To ensure they all receive the free and appropriate education due to them. However, some time ago many exceptional children were overlooked because of their disability, but the IDEA Act has made it possible for children of all exceptionalities to receive services. These programs have designed for those students who are exempli fy traits and might be physically, socially, emotionally disturbed, orRead MoreSpecial Education For Students With Disabilities1466 Words à |à 6 PagesSpecial Education in early childhood classrooms are a privilege for students. Parents or guardians need to be educated on the special education laws, referrals, and evaluation process. As educators we need to advocate to parents or guardians that special education is not a location, but a service to help children reach their full potential in the classroom and as a citizen of society. The earlier the intervention for a child the greater the chance the child will succeed. The United States hasRead MoreChanneling Students Into Special Services774 Words à |à 4 PagesChanneling Students into Special Services In our school system many of our students need to enroll in a special education program (IEP) for one reason or another. A teacher has to know her student well in order for this process to take place. The teacher needs to be an advocate, and initiate the order of steps that will get this student into the (IEP). The first thing that needs to be done is a letter is written to the school counselor. This letter should give reference to
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Cuánto se demora sacar la visa americana no inmigrante
Los trà ¡mites para la visa americana no inmigrante se pueden demorar varias semanas, dependiendo del consulado o embajada en el que se solicita. Pero es posible estimar cuà ¡ntos dà as pasan desde el dà a en que se inician los trà ¡mites al de la entrevista. A partir de la entrevista, la respuesta es rà ¡pida o incluso inmediata, tanto la aprobacià ³n como la denegacià ³n. La excepcià ³n son los casos en los que la solicitud entra en una fase de demora administrativa. En este artà culo se explican cà ³mo verificar el tiempo de demora segà ºn el tipo de visa y consulado, quà © puede suceder despuà ©s de la entrevista, cuà ¡l es el formulario adicional conocido como DS-5535 que puede pedir el oficial consularà y por quà © es recomendable solicitar la visa con tiempo suficiente antes de la fecha planeada para viajar a Estados Unidos y por quà © no se deben comprar los boletos antes de tener la visa aprobada en mano. En el caso de estar interesados en la visa de inmigrante para la tarjeta de residencia permanente este artà culo no aplica. En otras palabras, la informacià ³n que se detalla a continuacià ³n aplica solamente a las visas no inmigrante como, por ejemplo, la de turista, estudiante, trabajo temporal, inversià ³n, intercambio, etc. Cà ³mo verificar eltiempo de demora de los trà ¡mites para la visa Desde que una persona solicita una cita para la visa hasta que obtiene el visado transcurren varios dà as, o incluso meses. Todo depende de la Embajada o Consulado en el que se haga la gestià ³n, del tipo de visa y tambià ©n de las caracterà sticas personales del solicitante. Para saber con bastante exactitud cuà ¡nto hay que esperar desde que se hacen la citas para las visas hasta que se realizan las entrevistas en la oficina consular se puede consultar la herramienta que el Departamento de Estado ha creado para este fin. Simplemente se debe buscar en la cajita que aparece en esa pà ¡gina de internet el nombre de la ciudad en la que està ¡ ubicada la oficina consular a la que corresponde decidir si concede o rechaza la solicitud de visa. Una vez elegida la ciudad, aparecerà ¡ una estimacià ³n en dà as sobre el tiempo que hay que esperar hasta que se realiza la entrevista. Aparecerà ¡n varias estimaciones, dependiendo del tipo de visa que se solicita. Ejemplos de tiempos de demora segà ºn los consulados Por ejemplo en el momento en que se escribià ³ este artà culo,à si una persona en Bogotà ¡, Colombia, solicita una visa de turista, deberà ¡ esperar 22 dà as naturales (segà ºn la fecha en la que este artà culo fue escrito. Verificar el actual) para ser entrevistado en la Embajada americana y otros dos dà as laborales para que se procese su peticià ³n, si es aprobada. Pero si solicita una visa de estudiante, la espera para la entrevista se reduce a siete dà as naturales, precisando dos dà as laborales para procesar la visa aprobada. Sin embargo, en Buenos Aires la peticià ³n de entrevista para una visa de turista es de 29 dà as naturales y el procesamiento de las aprobadas es de cinco dà as laborales. Dà as naturales y laborales en la tramitacià ³n de las visas Es conveniente prestar atencià ³n a la distincià ³n entre dà as naturales (calendar days) y dà as laborales (workdays). Cuando se habla de los primeros, se cuentan todos los dà as, incluidos los sà ¡bados, domingos y feriados. Por el contrario, si se refiere a dà as laborales se computa sà ³lo de lunes a viernes, excluyendo los feriados de Estados Unidos y los del paà s en los que se encuentra la oficina consular. Quà © pasa despuà ©s de la entrevista en el consulado Pueden darse 4à situaciones: En primer lugar, la visa es aprobada. Aunque cada consulado tiene un trà ¡mite distinto para entregar a su dueà ±o el pasaporte con la visa estampada en general puede hablarse que toma menos de siete dà as.à Estas son lasà posibilidades se tiene de que aprueben la visa de turistaà segà ºn el consulado en que se solicita. En segundo lugar, la visa entra en trà ¡mite administrativo.à Es decir, no es aprobada ni rechazada. Es lo que se conoce como procedimiento administrativo 221g. La razà ³n es que se requiere realizar mà ¡s investigacià ³n antes de llegar a una conclusià ³n final. Esta es una razà ³n muy importante para no dejar la solicitud de la visa para à ºltima hora, ya que puede surgir este problema. En tercer lugar, que el oficial consular pida que se llene un nuevo formulario, que se detalla en el siguiente apartado y que incluye informacià ³n sobre redes sociales. En cuarto lugar, la solicitud de visa es rechazada. Las causas pueden ser muy variadas. Estas son las 20 mà ¡s comunes. por causa de inelegibilidad. Ademà ¡s, hay que tener en cuenta estas 22 causas que convierten a una persona en inadmisible para Estados Unidos y que por lo tanto hacen que la visa no se apruebe, no se renueve e incluso que teniendo visa vigente se niegue la entrada cuando se llega al control migratorio en la aduana americana. En los casos de negacià ³n de la visa, es importante saber cuà ¡ndo seà puede volver a solicitarlaà y quà © debe cambiar para tener à ©xito en la nueva peticià ³n. Formulario solicitando informacià ³n sobre redes sociales El oficial consular està ¡ autorizada a pedir que se llene un nuevo formulario en el que se solicita, entre otras, la siguiente informacià ³n: Lugares de trabajo y residencia durante los à ºltimos 15 aà ±osPaà ses que se han visitado en los à ºltimos 15 aà ±osTodos los nà ºmeros de los pasaportes que se hayan utilizado previamente al actualTodas las cuentas de correo electrà ³nico que se han tenido en los à ºltimos 15 aà ±osTodas las cuentas que se han tenido en redes sociales como Facebook, Instagram o Twitter en los à ºltimos 5 aà ±os. En principio està ¡ previsto que los oficiales consulares soliciten que se rellene el formulario DS-5535 solo en los casos en los que la identidad del solicitante pueda confundirse con la de otra persona o en supuestos que afectan a la seguridad de los Estados Unidos, incluidos los casos de pertenencia a pandillas. Este formulario es relativamente nuevo y, por lo tanto, se desconoce cuà ¡nto tiempo demorarà ¡ en ser tramitadaà y verificada la informacià ³n que contiene, por lo que no se puede estimar el tiempo de demora para sacar la visa en los casos en los que el oficial consular pida este documento. El solicitante de la visa puede negarse a dar la informacià ³n, pero la visa no serà ¡ aprobada. En la actualidad, el gobierno de Estados Unidos està ¡ intentando implementar como obligatorio la comunicacià ³n de todos los nombres usados redes sociales, correos electrà ³nicos y telà ©fonos por parte de todos los solicitantes de visas, tanto inmigrantes como no inmigrantes. De tener à ©xito, afectarà a a 700 mil potenciales inmigrantes y 14 millones de visitantes temporales anualmente. Sin embargo, un nutrido grupo de organizaciones de defensa de las libertades civiles e individuales se està ¡ oponiendo a esta medida. Situaciones de urgencia y quià ©n puede viajar a USA sin visa Si se presentase la necesidad de obtener una visa urgentemente es posible solicitar unaà visa humanitariaà en casos muy limitados. Chilenos y espaà ±olesà pueden viajar a Estados Unidos sin visa para hacer turismo o para negocios. Si llegan por avià ³n, necesitan unaà Autorizacià ³n Electrà ³nica conocida como ESTA. Este es elà listado completo de paà ses cuyos ciudadanos pueden viajar sin visa. En el caso de personas de doble nacionalidad, es importante saber cuà ¡nto se puede ingresar sin visa a los Estados Unidos. En la actualidad, las personas que pueden viajar sin visa y rellenan el formulario ESTA se encuentran con una pregunta opcional en la que se solicita sus nombres en redes sociales. Test de respuestas mà ºltiples Se recomienda tomarà este test de 19 preguntas que sirve para comprobar los conocimientos bà ¡sicos sobre la visa de turista. Para evitar errores tontos que pueden dar lugar a su cancelacià ³n o a que no se apruebe. Este es un artà culo informativo. No es asesorà a legal.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Secret Circle The Captive Chapter Twelve Free Essays
Cassie stood petrified. Her heart was going like a trip-hammer, but that was the only part of her capable of motion. Adam and Dianaâ⬠¦ they couldnââ¬â¢t. We will write a custom essay sample on The Secret Circle: The Captive Chapter Twelve or any similar topic only for you Order Now Only, of course, they could. Diana was laughing up at Adam now, tossing her straight, shining hair back. And although Cassie couldnââ¬â¢t see Adamââ¬â¢s eyes behind the mask, his lips were smiling. Cassie turned, almost blundering into Nick, who was bringing her some punch, and rushed off into the dimness. She found a dark corner under a Chinese lantern that had gone out. Shielded by a curtain of black and orange streamers, she stood there, trying to get hold of herself, trying not to see the pictures her mind was showing her. The next thing she knew, she could smell wood smoke and ocean breeze, along with a faint, indefinable scent of animal and oak leaves. Adam. ââ¬Å"Cassie,â⬠he said. Just that, as if Herne were calling her in her dreams, inviting her to throw off the covers in the middle of the night and come dancing in the autumn leaves. And then, in a more ordinary voice, he said quietly, ââ¬Å"Cassie, are you okay? Diana says-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"What?â⬠Cassie demanded, in a way that would have been fierce if her voice hadnââ¬â¢t been trembling. ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢s just worried that youââ¬â¢re not all right.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m all right!â⬠Cassie was struggling not to let the tears escape. ââ¬Å"And anyway-Iââ¬â¢m tired of people talking about me behind my back. Faye says, Diana says-Iââ¬â¢m tired of it.â⬠He took both her cold hands in his. ââ¬Å"I think,â⬠he said in a subdued voice, ââ¬Å"that youââ¬â¢re just tired, period.â⬠I am, Cassie thought. Iââ¬â¢m tired of having secrets. And Iââ¬â¢m tired of fighting. If Iââ¬â¢m already evil, whatââ¬â¢s the point of fighting? Just at the moment, to think was to act. Before she knew what she was doing, her hands had turned inside Adamââ¬â¢s, so that her fingers were clasping his. Not by ââ¬Ëword or look or deed, what a laugh, she thought. Weââ¬â¢ve already broken it a thousand times. Why not really break it? That way at least she would have something concrete to feel bad about. That way Diana wouldnââ¬â¢t have him first. That was the crux of it. Diana might have everything else, but she wouldnââ¬â¢t have Adam first. I could do it, Cassie thought. Suddenly, her mind was working coolly and rationally, far removed from all the twisted pain in her chest. Adam was vulnerable to her because he was honorable, because he would never dream of her scheming to get him. If she started to cry right now â⬠¦ If she got him close enough to hold her, then relaxed against him, making herself soft in his armsâ⬠¦ If she laid her head on his shoulder so that he could smell her hair â⬠¦ If she sighed and let her head fall backâ⬠¦ would he be able to resist kissing her? Cassie didnââ¬â¢t think so. There were places darker than this corner. Safe places in the school. The home-ec room with the lock anyone could pick, the storage compartment where the gymnastics mats were kept. If Adam kissed her and she kissed him back, could anything stop them from going there? Cassie didnââ¬â¢t think so. And Diana, sweet stupid innocent Diana, would never know the difference. If Adam said heââ¬â¢d had to take Cassie for a walk to calm her down, Diana would believe him. No, there was nothing to stop Cassie and Adamâ⬠¦ except the oath. How did it go again? Fire burn me, air smother me, earth swallow me, water cover my grave. Cassie wasnââ¬â¢t afraid of that. Fire was burning her body already, and air was smothering her-she couldnââ¬â¢t breathe. There was nothing to stop her. She leaned in closer to Adam, head drooping like a flower on a slender stem, feeling the first easy tears come. She heard the catch in her breath, and felt his fingers tighten on hers in concern, and awareness. ââ¬Å"Cassie-Godâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ he whispered. A fierce rush of triumph swept through Cassie. He couldnââ¬â¢t help himself. It was going to happen. Oak and holly, leaf and briar/ Touch him with the secret fireâ⬠¦ What was she doing? Using magic on Adam? Snaring him with words that had come from some deep well of knowledge within herself? It was wrong, dishonorable, and not just because members of the Club didnââ¬â¢t work spells on each other unasked. It was wrong because of Diana. Diana, whoââ¬â¢d been Cassieââ¬â¢s friend when no one else would speak to her. Whoââ¬â¢d championed her against Faye and the whole school. Even if Cassie couldnââ¬â¢t deal with being close to Diana right now, the memory of Diana was like a star shining in her mind. If she betrayed that, she betrayed everything that meant anything. Evil or not, Cassie couldnââ¬â¢t do it. She extracted her hands from Adamââ¬â¢s strong fingers. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m all right,â⬠she said, her voice soft and weak, all its bones crushed. He was trying to get hold of her hands again. That was the problem with magic, you couldnââ¬â¢t always stop what youââ¬â¢d started. ââ¬Å"Adam, really,â⬠she said. Then, desperately, she added, ââ¬Å"Dianaââ¬â¢s waiting.â⬠Saying Dianaââ¬â¢s name helped. He stood for a moment, then escorted her back, Herne bringing a wayward nymph home to the Circle. Cassie went over to Laurel for safety; Nick was nowhere in sight. Well, she didnââ¬â¢t blame him. Diana was talking to Sally Waltman, who was there and looking hard as nails, despite the loss of Jeffrey. That left Adam and Cassie with Laurel and Melanie and their dates, and Sean and Deborah. A merry group of witches. Next to them was a group of outsiders. A slow dance was starting. The group of outsiders broke up, moving onto the dance floor. All except one. That one remained standing there, isolated, on the fringe of the Club. She was a junior Cassie vaguely recognized from French class, a shy girl, not beautiful, but not ugly, either. Right now she was trying to pretend that she didnââ¬â¢t mind being abandoned, that she didnââ¬â¢t care. Cassieââ¬â¢s heart went out to her. Poor girl. Once, Cassie had been just like her. ââ¬Å"Want to dance?â⬠It was Adamââ¬â¢s voice, warm and friendly- but he wasnââ¬â¢t talking to Cassie, he was talking to the outsider girl. Her face lit up, and she went happily with him out onto the floor, the scales of her mermaid costume flashing and twinkling. Cassie watched them go with a pang. But not of jealousy. Of love-and respect. ââ¬Å"The parfit gentil knight,â⬠Melanie said. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠said Cassie. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s from Chaucer. We learned it in British lit class. Thatââ¬â¢s what Adam is, the perfect gentle knight,â⬠Melanie explained. Cassie thought about this for a while. Then she turned to Sean. ââ¬Å"Hey, skinny, want to shake your bones?â⬠she said. Seanââ¬â¢s face lit up. Well, Cassie thought as she and Sean began swaying to the music, one thing was for sure: This dance wasnââ¬â¢t anything like the last one. With Adam, the gym had seemed a place of beauty and enchantment. Now all she saw were paper cutouts and naked pipes overhead. At least Sean-the-Day-Glo-skeleton didnââ¬â¢t try to pull her in too close. Afterward, other guys approached her, but Cassie made a beeline for Nick, whoââ¬â¢d rematerialized, and hid behind him. At least this part of her plan worked-the other guys retreated. It was strange to be something everybody wanted and couldnââ¬â¢t have. Nick didnââ¬â¢t ask her why sheââ¬â¢d rushed off, and she didnââ¬â¢t ask him where heââ¬â¢d disappeared to. They danced a few times. Nick didnââ¬â¢t try to kiss her. And then it was time to leave. After saying good-bye to their bewildered, slightly indignant dates, the members of the Club gathered at the exit, and not even the strawberry-blond goddess Aphrodite was late. Even the two identical Zaxes, their slanted blue-green eyes sparkling, were waiting outside the door. Then they all started off into the darkness. The moon had set, but the stars seemed to be on fire. It was cold on the point of the headland. They sat on bits of the foundation of the razed house, while Deborah and Faye built a bonfire in the center. Other people were bringing provisions out of the cars. Cassie had expected everyone to be solemn, but the Circle was in a party mood, excited by the night, laughing and joking, defying the danger of what they were going to do in an hour or so. Cassie found herself enjoying the celebration, not thinking about the future. There was lots of food. Dried pumpkin seeds (ââ¬Å"Without salt,â⬠Laurel said), pumpkin bread and gingerbread baked by Diana, boxes of chocolate- and orange-frosted doughnuts from Adam, a bowl of mixed Halloween candy provided by Suzan, soft drinks and spiced cider, and a large paper bag of Chrisââ¬â¢s that rattled. ââ¬Å"Nuts! Yeah! For virility!â⬠Doug yelled to the other guys, with an uncouth gesture. ââ¬Å"Hazelnuts symbolize wisdom,â⬠Melanie said patiently, but the Henderson brothers just sneered. And there were apples: winesaps, greenings, macintoshes. ââ¬Å"Apples for love and death,â⬠Diana said. ââ¬Å"Especially at Halloween. Did you know they were sacred to the goddess Hera?â⬠ââ¬Å"Did you know the seeds contain cyanide?â⬠Faye added, smiling oddly. Sheââ¬â¢d been smiling oddly at Cassie ever since Cassie had emerged from behind the streamer curtain with Adam at the dance. Now, leaning over to take a piece of gingerbread, she murmured in Cassieââ¬â¢s ear, ââ¬Å"What happened back there when he followed you? Did you blow your chance?â⬠ââ¬Å"It isnââ¬â¢t nice to fool around with guys whoââ¬â¢re taken,â⬠Cassie whispered tiredly, as if explaining to a five-year-old. Faye chuckled. ââ¬Å"Nice? Is that what you want for your epitaph? ââ¬ËHere lies Cassie. She wasâ⬠¦ niceââ¬â¢?â⬠Cassie turned her head away. ââ¬Å"I know an apple spell,â⬠Laurel was saying to the group. ââ¬Å"You peel an apple in one long spiral, then throw the peel over your shoulder, and if it doesnââ¬â¢t break, it forms the initial of your true love.â⬠They tried this, without much success. The peelings kept breaking, Suzan cut herself on Deborahââ¬â¢s knife, and when Diana did manage to throw a peeling over her shoulder, it only formed a spiral. ââ¬Å"Well, thatââ¬â¢s sacred to the goddess at least,â⬠Laurel said, frowning. ââ¬Å"Or to the Horned One,â⬠she added mischievously, looking at Adam. Cassie had been deliberately breaking her apple peels; the whole fortune-telling thing made her uneasy. And not just because Melanie mentioned cheerfully, ââ¬Å"They used to execute witches for this kind of divination on Halloween.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve got another one,â⬠Laurel said. ââ¬Å"You throw a nut in the fire, say a pair of names, and see what happens. Like Suzan and David Downey,â⬠she added impishly. ââ¬Å"If the nut pops, theyââ¬â¢re meant for each other. If it doesnââ¬â¢t, theyââ¬â¢re doomed.â⬠ââ¬Å"If he loves me, pop and fly; if he hates me, burn and die!â⬠Suzan quoted dramatically as Laurel tossed a hazelnut in. The round little nut just sizzled. ââ¬Å"Laurel and Doug,â⬠Chris snickered, throwing in another. ââ¬Å"Chris and Sally Waltman!â⬠Doug countered. ââ¬Å"Cassie and Nick!â⬠Deborah tossed that one in, grinning, but Faye was noticeably unsmiling. ââ¬Å"Adamâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ she said, holding a nut up high between long red nails and waiting until she had everyoneââ¬â¢s attention. Cassie stared at her, poised on the edge of her brick. ââ¬Å". . . and Diana,â⬠Faye said finally, and flicked the hazelnut into the flames. Cassie, mesmerized, watched the nut where it lay on glowing embers. She didnââ¬â¢t want to look at it; she had to. ââ¬Å"There are lots of other Halloween traditions,â⬠Laurel was going on. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s time to remember old people, people whoââ¬â¢re coming to the winter of their lives-or thatââ¬â¢s what my Granny Quincey says.â⬠Cassie was still staring at that one hazelnut. It seemed to be jiggling-but was it going to pop? ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s getting late,â⬠Adam said. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t you think we should get started?â⬠Diana brushed pumpkin-bread crumbs off her hands and stood. ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠Cassie only took her eyes off the fire for an instant, but in that instant, there was a sound like gunfire. Two or three nuts had exploded at once, and when Cassie looked back she couldnââ¬â¢t see the one Faye had thrown. It had popped-or sheââ¬â¢d lost track of it. She couldnââ¬â¢t tell which. A heartbeat later it flashed through her mind to wonder about Deborahââ¬â¢s nut-for Cassie and Nick. But she couldnââ¬â¢t tell what had become of that one, either. ââ¬Å"All right, now,â⬠Diana said. ââ¬Å"This is going to be a different kind of Circle. Itââ¬â¢s going to be more powerful than anything weââ¬â¢ve ever used before, because we need more protection than weââ¬â¢ve ever needed before. And itââ¬â¢s going to take everybodyââ¬â¢s help.â⬠She followed this with an earnest glance at Faye, who replied with a look of utmost innocence. Cassie watched Diana draw a circle inside the ruined foundation with her black-handled knife. The bonfire was at the center. Everyone was serious now, their eyes following the path of the knife as it cut through the soil, making an almost perfect ring with a single gap at the northeast corner. ââ¬Å"Everyone get inside, and then Iââ¬â¢ll close it,â⬠Diana said. They all filed inside and sat along the inner perimeter of the ring. Only Raj was left on the outside, watching anxiously and whining a little in his throat. ââ¬Å"After this,â⬠Diana said, closing the gap with a sweep of the knife, ââ¬Å"no one leaves the protection of the circle. What weââ¬â¢re summoning up inside will be dangerous, but whatââ¬â¢ll be hanging around outside will be even worse.â⬠ââ¬Å"How dangerous?â⬠Sean said nervously. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s inside, I mean.â⬠ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ll be safe as long as we donââ¬â¢t go near the fire or touch it,â⬠Diana said. ââ¬Å"No matter how strong a spirit it is, it wonââ¬â¢t be able to part from the fire we use to summon it. All right,â⬠she added briskly, ââ¬Å"now Iââ¬â¢m going to call on the Watchtower of the East. Powers of Air, protect us!â⬠Standing facing the dark eastern sky and ocean, Diana held a burning stick of incense and blew it eastward across the circle. ââ¬Å"Think of air!â⬠she told the coven members, and at once Cassie not only thought of it, but felt it, heard it. It started as a gentle breeze blowing from the east, but then it began to gust. It became a blast, a roaring wind beating in their faces, blowing Dianaââ¬â¢s long hair backward like a banner. And then it diverted, flowing around the circumference of the circle, enclosing them. Diana took a burning stick out of the fire and moved to stand in front of Cassie, who was seated at the southernmost edge of the circle. Waving the stick over Cassieââ¬â¢s head, she said, ââ¬Å"Now Iââ¬â¢m calling on the Watchtower of the South. Powers of Fire, protect us!â⬠She didnââ¬â¢t need to say, think of fire. Cassie could already feel the heat radiating on her back, could picture the pillar of flame bursting up behind her. It raced around like sparks across gunpowder, to form a circle of wildfire just outside the circle of wind. Itââ¬â¢s not real, Cassie reminded herself. Theyââ¬â¢re just symbols weââ¬â¢re visualizing. But they were awfully concrete-looking symbols. Diana moved again. Dipping her fingers in a paper cup, she sprinkled water across the western perimeter, between Sean and Deborah. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m calling on the Watchtower of the West. Powers of Water, protect us!â⬠It surged up, a phantom glass-green wave, cresting higher and higher. The swell flowed around to encompass the circle with a wall of water. Lastly, Diana moved north, facing Adam and scattering salt across the northern line. ââ¬Å"Watchtower of the North,â⬠she said, in a voice that wavered slightly and showed how much this was taking out of her. ââ¬Å"Powers of Earth, protect us!â⬠The ground rumbled beneath them. It caught Cassie off guard, and the rest of the group was even more startled than she was. They werenââ¬â¢t used to earthquakes here in New England, but Cassie was a native Californian. She saw that Sean was about to jump up. ââ¬Å"Deborah, get Sean!â⬠she cried. In an instant, the biker girl had grabbed Sean and was forcibly holding him from running. The tremors became more and more violent- and then with a sound like a thunderclap, the ground split. A chasm opened all around the circle, spewing up a strong, sulfurous smell. It isnââ¬â¢t real. It isnââ¬â¢t real, Cassie reminded herself. But surrounding her she saw the phantoms of the four elements Diana had invoked, layered one after another. A circle of raging wind, then a ring of fire, then a wall of seawater, and finally a chasm in the earth. Nothing from the outside could pass those boundaries-and Cassie wouldnââ¬â¢t like to bet on anything from the inside getting out safely, either. Shakily, Diana walked over to sit down in her place between Nick and Faye. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠she said, almost in a whisper. ââ¬Å"Now we all concentrate on the fire. Look into it and let the night do the rest. Letââ¬â¢s see if anything comes to talk to us.â⬠Cassieââ¬â¢s eyes shifted to Melanie, beside her. ââ¬Å"But if weââ¬â¢re protected from everything outside, whoââ¬â¢s going to be able to come talk to us?â⬠she murmured. ââ¬Å"Something from here,â⬠Melanie whispered back, looking down at the barren earth inside the circle. Inside the foundations of the house. ââ¬Å"Oh.â⬠Cassie gazed into the flames, trying to clear her mind, to be open to whatever might be trying to cross the veil between the invisible world and this one. Tonight was the night, and now was the time. The fire began smoking. Just a little at first, as if the wood were damp. But then the smoke got darker-still transparent, but blacker. It streamed upward and hung in a cloudy mass above the bonfire. Then it began to change. It was twisting, swelling, like thunderheads rolling together. As Cassie stared, her breath clogging in her throat, it began to mold itself, to form a shape. A man-shape. It seemed to develop from the top down, and it was wearing old-fashioned clothes, like something out of a history book. A hat with a high crown and a stiff brim. A cloak or cape which hung down from broad shoulders, and a wide, severe linen collar. Breeches tied below the knees. Cassie thought she could make out square-toed shoes, but at times the lower legs just dwindled into the smoke of the fire. One thing she noticed, the smoke never actually detached from the fire, it always remained connected by a thin trail. The figure floated there motionless except for eddies within itself. Then it drifted toward Cassie. She was the one who seemed to be facing it straight on. A sudden thought came into her mind. When Adam had first taken the crystal skull out of his backpack on the beach, it had seemed to be looking directly at her. And again-at the skull ceremony, she remembered. When Diana had pulled the cloth off the skull then, those hollow eyesockets had seemed to be staring right into Cassieââ¬â¢s eyes. Now this thing was staring at her in the same way. ââ¬Å"We should ask it a question,â⬠Melanie said, but even her usually calm voice was unsteady. There was a feeling of menace about the cloudy shape, of evil. Like the dark energy inside the skull, only stronger. More immediate. Who are you? thought Cassie, but her tongue was frozen, and anyway, she didnââ¬â¢t need to ask. There was no doubt at all in her mind who the shape in front of her was. Black John. Then came Dianaââ¬â¢s voice, clear and carefully calm. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve invited you here because weââ¬â¢ve found something of yours,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"We need to know how to control it. Will you talk to us?â⬠There was no answer. Cassie thought the thing was moving closer to her-but maybe it was just an illusion. ââ¬Å"There are terrible things going on,â⬠Adam said. ââ¬Å"They have to be stopped.â⬠No illusion. It was coming closer. ââ¬Å"Are you controlling the dark energy?â⬠Melanie asked abruptly, and Laurelââ¬â¢s voice blended with hers: ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re dead! Youââ¬â¢ve got no right to be interfering with the living.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s your problem, anyway?â⬠Deborah demanded. Too fast, Cassie thought. Too many people asking questions. The shape was drifting steadily closer. Cassie felt paralyzed, as if she were in danger that no one else saw. ââ¬Å"Who killed Kori?â⬠Doug Henderson was snarling. ââ¬Å"Why did the dark energy lead us to the cemetery?â⬠Deborah jumped in. ââ¬Å"And what happened to Jeffrey?â⬠Suzan added. The trail of smoke connecting the shape to the fire was stretched out thin, and the shape was right in front of Cassie. She was afraid to look into that cloudy, indistinct face, but she had to. In its contours she thought she could recognize the face sheââ¬â¢d glimpsed inside the crystal skull. Get up, Cassie. The words werenââ¬â¢t real words, they were in her mind. And they had some power over her. Cassie felt herself shift position, begin to rise. Come with me, Cassie. The others were still asking questions, and dimly Cassie could hear barking far away. But much louder was the voice in her mind. Cassie, come. She got to her feet. The swirling darkness seemed to be less transparent now. More solid. It was reaching out a formless hand. Cassie reached out with her own hand to take it. How to cite The Secret Circle: The Captive Chapter Twelve, Essay examples
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Newcastle Earthquake Essay Example
Newcastle Earthquake Paper PART I INTRODUCTION AIM The aim of this report is to describe the Newcastle earthquake and identify its social, physical and economic effects on the community. The event in detail, major effects, how the event was caused, the effects on the communities property, people, infrastructure and economy, will all be addressed in this report. Also the long term planning implications, preventative measures, preparedness, response implications, and well as recovery implications will covered and described. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this report on the Newcastle Earthquake are as follows: 1. To define the terms emergency, and show what makes this event an emergency, 2. To identify in detail the nature of the event, in terms of how and why this event occurred, 3. To identify and discus who and what were affected by this event, 4. To identify the long term implications of this emergency, including details of preventative and preparedness implications, as well as response and recovery implications. PART II WHAT WAS THE EVENT? THE EVENT The event was Australiaââ¬â¢s most damaging earthquake which hit Newcastle city. WHERE AND WHEN THE EVENT OCCURRED AND ITââ¬â¢S DURATION The earthquake struck Newcastle city at 10. 28am on the 28th December 1989. The epicentre of the earthquake was 15kms west south west of Newcastleââ¬â¢s CBD, and registered at 5. 6 on the Richter scale. The initial earthquake only lasted 5 to 6 seconds, but two after shocks followed. (Geoscience Australia 2004) The first aftershock was around ten minutes later but was not felt by many Novocastrians. We will write a custom essay sample on Newcastle Earthquake specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Newcastle Earthquake specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Newcastle Earthquake specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The second was felt the day after at 7:08am the 29th December, measuring 2. 1 on the Richter scale (Newcastle Library n. d). This after shock was strongly felt, especially in the suburb of Hamilton. The city is located on the east coast of New South Wales Australia, with a population of around 300 000 people (Geoscience Australia 2004). It was settled early in the 19th century, initially for the mining and exportation of coal. Most of Newcastleââ¬â¢s business is based around this coal extraction. The CBD is located between the beach on the east and the busy port on the north. Many of the original buildings are still operating in the CBD (Geoscience Australia 2004). This combination contributed to the damaged caused. MAJOR EFFECTS The earthquake was not a large compared to earthquakes that other countries have experienced, but extensive damage and fatalities were caused. There was a total of 13 deaths caused by the earthquake and another 162 people where hospitalised. Over 50 000 buildings where damaged, both homes and commercial properties (Newcastle Library n. ). In a wider perspective, the shaking effects were felt from Albury, Cooma and Bermagui in the south, Temora and Narromine in the west, to Coonabarabran, Armidale and Coffs Harbour, which are 550 kilometres north of Newcastle. Damage was recorded from Liverpool 138 kilometres south, Scone 145 kilometres west, and Gladstone 320 kilometres north (Australian Government 2003). The further effects that were felt by this ea rthquake will be explained in detail further down in the report. WHY WAS THIS EVENT AN EMERGENCY An emergency from an emergency services perspective A serious disruption to community life which threatens or causes death or injury in that community and/or damage to property which is beyond the day-today capacity of the prescribed statutory authorities and which requires special mobilisation and organisation of resources other than those normally available to those authorities. (csu) Emergency definition from the New South Wales Disaster Plan An emergency due to the actual or imminent occurrence (such as fire, flood, storm, earthquake, explosion, accident, epidemic or warlike action) which: (a)endangers, or threatens to endanger, the safety or health of persons or animals in the Sate; or (b)destroys or damages, or threatens to destroy or damage, any property in the State, being an emergency which requires a significant and co-ordinated response. (New South Wales Government 2001) To determine why the Newcastle earthquake was classified as an emergency, the definition of emergency must be addressed. The two above definitions of the word emergency are different but do come to the same conclusion. It can be identified that the Newcastle earthquake did indeed endanger, or threaten to endanger, the safety of persons in the community. Also, the event did destroy or damage property in the affected area. The event also required the special mobilisation of organisation of authorities. From this it can been seen that the Newcastle earthquake can be classified as an emergency. From here, the event can be classified into specific type of emergency. This event, an earthquake, is classified as a natural disaster. A natural disaster is one that occurs naturally in the environment with out any interference from man. These can include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, cyclones, floods, landslides, some bushfires, and droughts (Carter 1991). Most of these disasters cannot be avoided but some can be predicted or detected, providing significant warning time to prepare affected areas. Natural diasters are part of the earthââ¬â¢s environment, and need to be accepted and expected in our societies. PART III HOW AND WHY DID IT HAPPEN? HOW AN EARTHQUAKE IS CAUSED The earthââ¬â¢s surface is made up of many separate pieces called tectonic plates. These tectonic plates are in constant movement. This movement and pressure of this movement, build up tension which needs to be released. This tension is released in the form of an earthquake. Australia is situated on the Indian-Australian plate; this plate is moving north and colliding with the Eurasian, Philippine and Pacific plates. This movement and pressure is what causes Australiaââ¬â¢s earthquakes. Tectonic plates can interact in three different ways. Where plates move apart, they are named Divergent plate boundaries. This movement allows magma to come to the surface, cool and fill the space formed by the movement. The second type of plate movement is where plates are forced directly towards one and other, resulting in one plate being pushed under neath the other. This is called a convergent plate boundary. Transform boundaries, is where two plates slide along each other in opposite directions. Where these boundaries meet, fault lines are formed. It is at these fault lines where earthquakes are most likely to occur. Earthquakeââ¬â¢s need a particular science to detect and measure there presence. Equipment called a seismograph is what is used to measure the size of an earthquake. A seismograph records the vibrations that are caused by an earthquake and produces a recording called a seismogram. Earthquake sizes are compared and measured by the Richter scale. This scale is constructed by measuring the maximum height of the seismic waves caused by the earthquake. This measurement is taken at a distance of 100 kilometres away from the epicentre of the earthquake. The epicentre of an earthquake is also pinpointed by the use of three or more seismographs in different locations. This equipment is essential in researching and monitoring earthquake activity. This monitoring may help in the eventual prediction and warnings or earthquakes (Geoscience 2004). THE CAUSE OF THIS PARTICULAR EVENT The Newcastle earthquake was caused in by the movement of the earthââ¬â¢s tectonic plates. The fault line responsible for the Newcastle earthquake is around 40 kilometres long, starting off the coast of Newcastle and travelling under Lake Macquarie. This fault line is an intra plate fault line, that is, a fault line in a tectonic plate, rather then where separate tectonic plates meet. (Lawson 2000) Another unique property of the Newcastle earthquake is the material underlying the surface the Newcastle CBD is built upon. This material, known as alluvium is sediment deposited by flowing water. The alluvium amplified the ground motion of the earthquake, almost like a city sitting on top of jelly (Geoscience Australia 2004). Ground surface velocities were measured, where the city was built on basement rock the surface velocity was 50 millimetres per second. Where the city has this underlying layer of alluvium the ground surface velocities were measured at 200 millimetres per second. This is the reason that so much damaged was caused by this size of earthquake. Generally an earthquake with a magnitude ranging from 5. 5 ââ¬â 6. 1 only causes ââ¬Ëslight building damage with plaster cracking, and bricks fallingââ¬â¢ (Geoscience Australia 2004). As the Newcastle earthquake was measured at only 5. 6 on the Richter scale, the amount of damage caused was unforseen and unexpected. The damaged caused would usually be associated with an earthquake of a magnitude of 7. 0 to 7. . The difference of the underlying earth, must be taken into account when assessing the risk of damage in other cities, and brought to attention when planning for the effects of an earthquake (Geoscience Australia 2004). THE EFFECTS ON NEWCASTLEââ¬â¢S PEOPLE The effects that the earthquake had on Newcastleââ¬â¢s citizens are very broad. It starts with the most obvious physical effects, but includes the psychological effects, economic effects, and lifestyle effects. Over all 300 000 people were directly affected by this earthquake, and approximately 1 000 persons were made homeless (Newcastle Library n. ) The first and most obvious effect of the Newcastle earthquake would have to be the physical injuries sustained. A total of 13 deaths occurred, 12 were because of structural collapse and the other was from earthquake induced shock. Another 162 people were hospitalized for injuries (Newcastle Library n. d). These figures could have been much higher if the earthquake had happen during school hours or at a time when a major event was planned. The psychological effects of such a major event usually begin immediately (with in 24 ââ¬â 48 hours) this includes general distress. Numbness and shock occur usually as a defence mechanism, this distress and shock impairs normal functioning. The long term psychological effects are more serious, which sometimes do not present until six months later. These can include a general distress and anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, phobias, substance abuse, sleep disturbance, hostility, somatization, disruption of family relationships, decreased capacity to work, increased presentation to health care services, increased use of medication, and a general decrease in physical health. The earthquake counselling service set up in Hamilton, a suburb of Newcastle, in February till the end of April diagnosed 46 people with server depression and 37 people with post traumatic stress disorder. Details of these effects are as follows: Depression, the symptoms can include loss of sexual interest, low energy levels, suicidal thoughts, crying easily, feelings of being trapped or caught, loneliness, excessive worrying, loss of interest in life, and a feeling of hopelessness. Anxiety can include feelings of nervousness, trembling, feeling scared for no apparent reason, and feeling tense. Signs of hostility include feeling easily annoyed, temper, having urges to hurt or injure others, and frequent arguments. Somatization symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, pains in the heart or chest, pain in the lower back, nausea, shortness of breath, hot or cold spells, general feeling of weakness, and a heavy feeling in your arms and legs. Phobias can include feeling afraid of open spaces, afraid of being alone, avoiding certain places because of memories. There are four major stressors which produce psychological distress in adults, resulting in the conditions previously outlined. 1. Death encounter ââ¬â A threat to someoneââ¬â¢s life or witnessing gruesome or massive death of others. 2. Loss ââ¬â Loss of loved ones, home, property, community, familiar environment, or social network. 3. Dislocation ââ¬â From home, community, familiar environment. 4. Responsibility ââ¬â perceived or actual responsibility in terms of the disaster, especially when involving the deaths of others. There is a different outcome for children after a disaster, there is no normal reaction varies from child to child. These can include: 1. Fear and anxiety ââ¬â When the child becomes frightened of things that before the event never bothered them. Examples may include frightened of being alone, going to bed, or things that remind them of the event such as thunder. 2. Regression ââ¬â The child regresses to a younger stage of development. Examples clinging to parents, thumb sucking, temper tantrums, baby talk, loss of toilet training, and wanting things that have been previously discarded, like bottles or toys. 3. Sadness and withdrawal ââ¬â The child becomes sad and withdrawn, losing interest in normal activities, loss of appetite, and a general lack of enjoyment of life. 4. Acting out ââ¬â excessive naughty behaviour for attention. 5. Over reaction to minor stress ââ¬â Reacting to things that would usually not cause them stress. The general effect on the community was one of a heighten sense of vulnerability, mortality, and sense of community, but with the city damaged there was no focus for the community (Bland 1996) THE EFFECTS ON NEWCASTLEââ¬â¢S PROPERTY There was devastating effects on Newcastleââ¬â¢s structures and buildings, in total around 35 000 homes, 3000 commercial buildings, and 42 schools suffered serious damage. Minor damage was also experienced as far away as Scone, Gladstone and Sydney. These collapsing buildings caused extensive damage in its self, destroying significant property such as cars, roads and infrastructure, and even causing the most of the fatalities. The fatal collapses include the collapse of the Newcastle Workers club, and the Kent Hotel, both very popular businesses in Newcastle. (Australian Government 2003) The most unstable buildings during an earthquake are un-reinforced masonry buildings. Unfortunately these buildings are very common in the older parts of Newcastle. This type of building was constructed up until the 1960s, and includes a wide range of constructions, including houses, terraced houses, shops, schools, churches, and hospitals. The reason of this type of building performing so poorly in an event of an earthquake is due to a lack of construction ties between the double brick walls. This leaves the construction inflexible, brittle, with weak spots and when added with age and corrosion makes them inadequate to withstand horizontal shaking (Geoscience Australia 2004). Another form of construction that is used widely in Newcastle is timber frame buildings. This type of building was popular from the 1960s onwards. This type of construction and perform better then the un-reinforced structures in an earthquake, although this does have weak spots especially were the masonry foundations are used. This can lead to substantial damage to these areas (Geoscience Australia 2004). A more modern form of construction used in the Newcastle area is reinforced and pre-stressed concrete buildings. This type of construction form a significant percentage of large buildings, and used for various purposes such as commercial, car parking, industrial, residential, educational, and government purposes. These buildings will perform well in an earthquake as long as construction has been performed to ensure continuity and irregularities are avoided (Geoscience Australia 2004). The last form of construction that will be addressed is steel framed buildings. This type of construction is again used for large buildings, mostly in areas of industrial and recreational. If construction is not undertaken carefully, connections between steel members can be brittle and cause problems in the event of an earthquake. Geoscience Australian 2004) As can been seen by figure 1. 0 shown below, timber frame structures are the most popular through the Newcastle city, with a large concentration of un-reinforced masonry structures in the older section of the CBD. From this map it can been seen where the most of the damage from different structural type would have occurred. In figure 1. 1 it is shown that the two most unstable structural types, timber frames and un-reinforced masonry, suffered the greatest a mount of loss and structural damaged. These two figures can be used together to show where the greatest amount of loss had occurred. Most of these modern structures did not experience major damage during the earthquake. Except in the case of the Newcastle workers club, where nine of the thirteen fatalities occurred. In this situation there was a combination of two sections built in different styles, an older un-reinforced masonry section, and a newer concrete frame section. The problems arose in the newer section, which was four stories in height with underground parking directly beneath it. The earthquake caused a collapse from the top storey, trapping all people with in the lower stories and in the underground car park (Newcastle Council 2001). Another significant structural collapse was The Kent Hotel, situation on Newcastle Beaumont St. This un-reinforced masonry buildings collapse was responsible for 3 fatalities. This mix of old vulnerable buildings on poor foundations, inadequate maintenance and brittle materials was the combination that led to the extent of damage experienced in the Newcastle earthquake. Geoscience Australia 2004). Figure 1. 0 Placement of structural types in Newcastle according to frame type. (Geoscience Australia 2004) Figure 1. 1: Annualised loss for a selection of building types in the Newcastle region. The annualised loss for a specific building type is described as a percentage of the total value of that building type. (Dhu 2002) THE EFFECTS ON NEWCASTLEââ¬â¢S ESSENTIAL SERVICES Essential services play a very important role in emergency response and the recovery after such an event as an earthquake. With out these essential services the emergency response teams are greatly impaired, especially when the only transport available is by road. The structural effects from the Newcastle earthquake were quite extensive, yet essential services such as gas and water were not affected. Electrical power is very vulnerable to earthquake, the height and structure of power poles that carry the electrical power lines as well as the brittle ceramic insulators found in substations are the weak points of electrical systems during an earthquake. The electrical power infrastructure was damaged during the Newcastle earthquake (Geoscience Australia 2004). Telephone services were also damaged and road transport was seriously impaired from collapsed buildings and debris. This occlusion of roads would have affected the emergency response the greatest, as if directly blocked the emergency services access to the sick, injured, trapped, and other emergencies such as fires (Geoscience Australia 2004). ENVIROMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE NEWCASTLE EARTHQUAKE Earthquakes are considered a natural disaster, and occur in response to the natural movement of the earthââ¬â¢s tectonic plates. Unless earthquake occur in a populated area there is little to none lasting environmental effects. In the case of the Newcastle earthquake structural collapse caused most of the environmental impact in the way of debris. This debris was effectively eliminated through the recovery and rebuilding procedures put in place after the earthquake. So from this disaster there were no long term effects on the surrounding environment (Geoscience Australia 2004). SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY EFFECTS OF THE NEWCASTLE EARTHQUAKE There are many lasting effects on the community of Newcastle city. These include long term effects such as damage to social and cultural structures, loss of life/life style, and economic effects. Short term effects include fear, distress, and confusion. Damage to social and cultural structures can have a large affect on a community and these structures often act as a focal point of the community, structures such as churches, museums, libraries, recreational venues, schools, and conservatoriums. Damage or collapse to this type of structures can have a depressive effect on a community, and cause a community to lose its sense of focus and identity (Geoscience Australia 2004). Short term effects include emotional distress and confusion immediately after the event. This effect also rendered around 1 000 people homeless, leaving them vulnerable and displaced (Newcastle Library n. d). From a different perspective a emergency such as this can bring out a sense of community in a society, with people offering help to those in need. THE EFFECTS ON NEWCASTLEââ¬â¢S INFASTRUCTURE Every community relies on infrastructure to function. Infrastructure includes road networks, rail networks, primary and secondary schools, pre-school centres, TAFE campuses, University campuses, churches, government services, and recreational centres. The predominant section of infrastructure to experience the most damage was Newcastleââ¬â¢s schools. A total of 147 schools in the city were damaged, of this three were deemed unsuitable for occupation and were demolished, another 42 experienced serious structural damage. There is a large concentration of primary schools in the area of Newcastleââ¬â¢s CBD and close suburbs. Many of these schools are old historic sites that are still being used today. This old un-reinforced masonry type of construction, and general erosion left these constructions very exposed to damage from an earthquake (Geoscience Australia 2004). Another prominent structure in Newcastle that suffered significant damage was the Newcastle workers club, this falls under the heading of recreational facility. The damage experienced by this building was outlined under the heading THE EFFECTS ON NEWCASTLEââ¬â¢S PROPERTY. This articular buildingââ¬â¢s collapse and demolition had a substantial detrimental effect on Newcastleââ¬â¢s infrastructure. Many other important building through Newcastle suffered substantial damage, but all were successfully repaired or stabilised. THE EFFECTS ON NEWCASTLES ECONOMY Costs incurred by an earthquake included direct costs from damage as well as indirect costs, such as loss of business. The estimated value of the damage done by the earthquake was estimated at 1. 124 billion dollars, this measured by the total insurance claims pay out in 1996. The total financial cost has now amounted to an estimate of 4 billion dollars. There were a total of 69,564 insurance claims made for earthquake damage, 63,756 of these were households, and 5,808 were commercial buildings (Insurance Disaster Response Organisation 2002). Until the Sydney hailstorm the Newcastle earthquake was the worst event for the Australian insurance industry (Walker 1999). From the figure 1. 2 shown below, we can seen the areas of Newcastle that suffered the greatest economic loss and damage too their property and structures. Even though this event had a detrimental effect on the unprepared insurance industry, events such as these can often have some positive effect on a societyââ¬â¢s economy. Extensive rebuilding, use of supplies, equipment, and skills would have a helpful effect on the economy after such a set back (Geoscience Australia 2004). Figure 1. 2: Annualised loss by suburb. The annualised loss in each suburb has been calculated as a percentage of the total value of all the buildings and their contents within the suburb. (Dhu 2002) PART IV LONG TERM PLANNING IMPLICATIONS PREVENTATIVE / MITIGATORY IMPLICATIONS As this event is an unavoidable natural function of the earth, nothing can be done to avoid this type of event. What can be done in this situation is to reduce the amount of effect an earthquake has on a society. Ways that this can be done is through researching past events, collecting data, reviewing current building codes, protecting emergency facilities, and providing adequate insurance against earthquakes. Research of past earthquakes and the effect they had on the communities they affected, should provide societies at risk with a clear idea of what to expect. From this emergency plans can be implemented. Reviewing past earthquakes can give a clear idea on the direct effects on structures and buildings. Just from this one incident it can been seen that certain types on structures need extra attention and reinforcement when it comes to decreasing the risk of damage that can be caused. This can be directly addressed through the use of building codes and earthquake codes. Since the Newcastle earthquake had little effect on the current building codes, the risk of another earthquake with in Australia needs to be address, and codes and preparation put in to place before that risk occurs (Walker 1999). Another method of reducing the impact in the event of an earthquake is to ensure that all emergency services would be able to cope. Emergency services such as Police, Fire and Ambulance stations, as well as hospitals, and other emergency services such as the State Emergency Service, need to be structurally protected and enforced. All stations and structures should be earthquake proofed by suitably qualified structural engineers, and changes made if need be. The emergency services also need to be well equipped for such an emergency in training, strategic planning, and equipment. Since most of these services main access is by road, suitable planning to avoid this needs to be enforced. Households and commercial operations need to ensure they hold adequate insurance policies against earthquake damage. This will not decrease the damage caused by an earthquake, but will help the recovery and rebuilding of the community after the event (Walker 1999). PREPAREDNESS IMPLICATIONS To be suitably prepared for an earthquake incorporates similar principals as what was outlined in the section above. Additional research and emphasis should also be placed on investigating the earthquake risk in specific areas, and education of the public. The combination of these two ideas, as well as the points outlined in the section above, will prepare the community for the event of an earthquake and facilitate a decrease in fatalities and damage. An earthquake hazard in a specific area can be described as the level of ground shaking that has a certain chance of being exceeded in a given amount of time. For example an earthquake hazard can be described in terms of the level of ground shaking that has a 10% chance of being exceeded in 50 years. With this calculated earthquake hazard, a earthquake risk can then be calculated. An earthquake risk is a combination of the earthquake hazard, the elements at risk and the vulnerability of those elements to earthquakes (Dhu 2002). Shown below in figure 1. 3 it be been seen the areas of the greatest risk in the Newcastle area. Figure 1. 4 shows the greatest risk areas across the country, and figure 1. 5 shows the hazard areas across the country. All these calculated risk and hazard areas need to be addressed with earthquake plans put in place to reduce the damage of an earthquake when the event occurs. Figure 1. 3 Earthquake hazard map with a 10% chance of being exceeded in 50 years. Hazard is defined by the response of idealised low- to medium-rise buildings with a natural period of 0. 3 s. (Dhu 2002) Figure 1. 4 Australian earthquake risk areas (Newcastle Library n. d) Figure 1. 5 Australian earthquake hazard areas (Newcastle Library n. d) Another method of preparing a community for the event of an earthquake is educating the public of the correct procedures on the correct steps to carry out before, during, and after the event of an earthquake. Examples of correct procedures to be carried out in these situations supplied by the Newcastle Council (n. d) are as follows: What can you do before an earthquake occurs? â⬠¢Follow earthquake building codes for new and existing buildings. â⬠¢Check your home for and secure earthquake hazards such as bookcases and other tall furniture. â⬠¢Be aware of the location of electricity, gas and water main switches or valves and how to turn them off with the appropriate tools. â⬠¢Keep the following items ready for use at all times -a first aid kit -a multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher -a portable radio with extra batteries -a torch â⬠¢Learn first aid and encourage family members to do the same â⬠¢Organise occasional home earthquake drills. This will provide your family with knowledge of how to avoid injury and panic during an earthquake. What can you do during an earthquake? Remain calm, think clearly before moving, provide reassurance to others and then work through the consequences of any action you may take. If you are in a house â⬠¢Take cover under a table or other sturdy furniture â⬠¢Kneel, sit or stay close to the floor â⬠¢Be prepared to move with your cover â⬠¢You could kneel, sit or stay close to the floor, an interior wall or corner. Stay away from large windows, bookcases and unsecured objects. If you are in a shop, office or theatre â⬠¢Do not rush for an exit Move away from windows, glass display cases or other obvious hazards â⬠¢If you must leave the building, choose your exit carefully as possible If you are in a high rise building â⬠¢Take cover under a desk or table; do not rush for exits â⬠¢Stay in the building until shaking sops and until directed to evacuate. If you are outside â⬠¢Avoid high buildings, walls, power lines and other objects that could fall â⬠¢Do not run through streets â⬠¢If possible move to an open ear away from all hazards If you are in a vehicle â⬠¢Stop in safest place available, preferably in an open space â⬠¢Avoid bridges, overpasses and overhead power lines What can you do after an earthquake? Check for serious injury to your families and other around you. Do not attempt to move a seriously injured person unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. If you are inside a building â⬠¢Only use the telephone for emergency use â⬠¢Remain in a safe position until shaking stops â⬠¢Check electricity, gas, water services and turn off if necessary â⬠¢Check food storage and first aid supplies â⬠¢Listen to your radio for information and advice If you are outside â⬠¢Check for fires or fire hazards â⬠¢Avoid fallen power lines â⬠¢Wear shoes to protect your feet â⬠¢Do not attempt to drive. Leave roads clear for emergency vehicles â⬠¢Check building for structural damage RESPONSE IMPLICATIONS The emergency services response to an emergency such as an earthquake largely depends on the plans and procedures put into place before the fact. The services that play a part in the response to such an event are the Fire brigade, Health services, Police services, public information services, rural fire services, state emergencies services, transport services, volunteer rescue associations, and welfare services. These services range from immediate response teams such as the Fire, Police, and Health services, o longer term response teams such as welfare services. Without these essential response organisations, any emergency would end in a great more tragedy (New South Wales Government 2001). RECOVERY IMPLICATIONS Recovery from a disaster can be defined as ââ¬Å"the coordinated process of supporting disaster affected communities in the reconstruction of the physical infrastructur e and restoration of emotional, social, economic and physical well being. â⬠(OMara 2004). After an event such as the Newcastle earthquake all of these points need to be addressed and much effort and coordination put into returning the community back to its former state. There are long term recovery plans such as re building, and restoration of emotional and physical wellness. In response to the Newcastle earthquake an Emergency Reception Centre was set up. This centre treated 14, 800 clients, of these 1,500 were in need of temporary or long term accommodation. Centres like this prove vital in the recovery of a community after such an event. CONCLUSION In conclusion, it is known that the Newcastle earthquake caused extensive damage in physical, emotional, and economic ways. It is also known that some of this damage could have been avoided or diminished with correct planning, preparedness and response actions. An event such as this should be used for education and future planning purposes to protect other communities from similar effects. REFERNCE LIST Australian Government 2003, Newcastle Earthquake, Australian Government, viewed 2 March 2006 ;www. ema. gov. au; Australian Government Geoscience Australia 2004, Earthquake Risk in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie: The Elements at Risk in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, updated July 2004, Australian Government, also available in pdf format, viewed 11 March 2006 ; http://www. ga. gov. au/urban/projects/archive/newcastle. jsp; Australian Government Geoscience Australia 2004, Newcastle Earthquake, last updated 22 June, Australian Government, viewed 10 March 2006 ;http://www. ga. gov. au/urban/factsheets/earthquakes_newcastle. jsp; Australian Government Geoscience Australia 2004, What is an earthquake? , updated 22 June 2004, Australian Government, viewed 11 March 2006, ; http://www. ga. gov. au/urban/factsheets/earthquakes. jsp; Bland, S, Erin, S, Oââ¬â¢Leary, MA, Farinaro, E, Jossa, F, Trevisan, M 1996, ââ¬ËLong-term Psychological Effects of Natural Disastersââ¬â¢, Psychosomatic Medicine, vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 8 ââ¬â 24, available in pdf format, viewed 14 March 2006, ; http://www. psychosomaticmedicine. org/cgi/reprint/58/1/18; Carter, N 1991, Disaster Management: A Disaster Managerââ¬â¢s Handbook, Asian Development Bank, Philippines Dhu, T Jones, T (eds) 2002, Earthquake Risk in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, electronic version, Minerals and Geohazards Division Geoscience Australia, Canberr a, ; http://www. ga. gov. au/image_cache/GA4187. pdf; Insurance Disaster Response Organisation 2002, Claims Survey, Insurance Disaster Response Organisation, viewed 20 March 2006, ; http://www. idro. com. au/disaster_list/docs/disaster080. df; Lawson, M 2000, Geologists find Newcastle Fault, updated 2000, Queensland University of Technology, viewed 2 March 2006 ;http://www. corpcomm. qut. edu. au/corpcom/servives_function/publications/iqut/iq_206_comp. pdf; New South Wales Government 2001, New South Wales State Disaster Plan, October 2001, New South Wales Government, also available in pdf format, viewed 17 March 2006, ; http://www. emergency. nsw. gov. au/media/84. pdf; Newcastle Council 2001, Newcastle Earthquake, Newcastle regional Library, Newcastle Newcastle Library n. d, Brief facts and figures, Newcastle Council, viewed 10 March 2006 ;http://www. cc. nsw. gov. au/services/culture/library/research/earthq5. cfm; Newcastle Library n. d, Earthquake Risk Maps, Newcastle Council, vi ewed 10 March 2006 Oââ¬â¢Mara, T 2004, Recovery Management: The long and only road, electronic version, 17 February 2004, University of New South Wales, 23 March 2006, ;htp://www. tefma. com/infoservices/papers/2004_UNSW_Security_Conference/OMara. pdf; Walker, G 1999, Newcastle Earthquake ââ¬â What have we learnt, Aon Re Australia Limited, Australia, viewed 20 March 2006, ; http://www. aon. com. au/pdf/reinsurance/Aon_Newcastle_Earthquake. pdf;
Friday, March 20, 2020
Free Essays on Book Bag Report
The Baldilares were lost and had nowhere to go. They didnââ¬â¢t know where they could go or what they could do about it. So they jumped into the trunk of count Olaf (their arch enemyââ¬â¢s) car. It was a long and tiresome drive to their destination (The Cagliari carnival). There were tons of bumpy roads that they soared down. It was very squished in the trunk of Count Olaf ( their arch enemies) car. They finally stopped and it was silent, a door of the car swung opened and then there were some foot steps and some talk about this carnival they were at. Every one was gone so the baldilares peaked through a gun shot hole in the back of the trunk to see where they were. They figured it out because there was huge sign that said, ââ¬Å"The Cagliari Carnivalâ⬠and there was tons of tents behind the sign. They also saw count Olaf and all his associates going into a Caravan. On the outside of the Caravan there was a huge eye that the baldilares have seen many times before. Like on Olafââ¬â¢s tattoo on his right ankle which they have used tons of times to prove his identify to the people who were taking care of them. There was also a sign that said FREAKS on the side of a caravan. They knew the only way to get near Olaf without him knowing is to dress up as someone or something else. So they searched around the trunk looking for some disguises of freakish things. Violet and Klaus found a shirt and some pants that they could both fit into to become a two headed person. Sunny (the youngest Baldilares) found a fake beard that she wrapped around herself to become half human and half wolf. Then they got there disguises on and headed out of the car trunk and over to the caravan which Count Olaf and his asociates went into. When they got there they knocked on the door, madam lulu (the fortune teller) said, ââ¬Å"oh do you want to audition to be freaks in our carnival, o well then come right in!â⬠The baldilares went into the caravan and all the evil peop... Free Essays on Book Bag Report Free Essays on Book Bag Report The Baldilares were lost and had nowhere to go. They didnââ¬â¢t know where they could go or what they could do about it. So they jumped into the trunk of count Olaf (their arch enemyââ¬â¢s) car. It was a long and tiresome drive to their destination (The Cagliari carnival). There were tons of bumpy roads that they soared down. It was very squished in the trunk of Count Olaf ( their arch enemies) car. They finally stopped and it was silent, a door of the car swung opened and then there were some foot steps and some talk about this carnival they were at. Every one was gone so the baldilares peaked through a gun shot hole in the back of the trunk to see where they were. They figured it out because there was huge sign that said, ââ¬Å"The Cagliari Carnivalâ⬠and there was tons of tents behind the sign. They also saw count Olaf and all his associates going into a Caravan. On the outside of the Caravan there was a huge eye that the baldilares have seen many times before. Like on Olafââ¬â¢s tattoo on his right ankle which they have used tons of times to prove his identify to the people who were taking care of them. There was also a sign that said FREAKS on the side of a caravan. They knew the only way to get near Olaf without him knowing is to dress up as someone or something else. So they searched around the trunk looking for some disguises of freakish things. Violet and Klaus found a shirt and some pants that they could both fit into to become a two headed person. Sunny (the youngest Baldilares) found a fake beard that she wrapped around herself to become half human and half wolf. Then they got there disguises on and headed out of the car trunk and over to the caravan which Count Olaf and his asociates went into. When they got there they knocked on the door, madam lulu (the fortune teller) said, ââ¬Å"oh do you want to audition to be freaks in our carnival, o well then come right in!â⬠The baldilares went into the caravan and all the evil peop...
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
An Overview of Basque Country
An Overview of Basque Country The Basque people have inhabited the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains around the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain and southern France for thousands of years. They are the oldest surviving ethnic group in Europe. Even so, scholars have still not determined the exact origins of the Basques. The Basques may be the direct descendants of the first hunter-gatherers that lived in Europe about 35,000 years ago. The Basques have prospered, though their distinctive language and culture were sometimes suppressed, giving rise to a modern violent separatist movement. History of the Basques Much of Basque history is still largely unverified. Due to similarities in place names and personal names, the Basques may be related to a people called the Vascones that lived in Northern Spain. The Basques get their name from this tribe. The Basque people had probably already lived in the Pyrenees for thousands of years when the Romans invaded the Iberian peninsula during the first century BCE. The Romans had little interest in conquering Basque territory due to the mountainous, somewhat non-fertile landscape. Partly due to the terrain of the Pyrenees, the Basques were never defeated by the invading Moors, Visigoths, Normans, or Franks. When Castilian (Spanish) forces finally conquered the Basque territory in the 1500s, the Basques were first given a great amount of autonomy. Spain and France began to pressure the Basques to assimilate, and the Basques lost some of their rights during the Carlist Wars of the 19th century. Basque nationalism became particularly intense during this period. Spanish Civil War Basque culture greatly suffered during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. Francisco Franco and his fascist party wanted to rid Spain of all heterogeneity, and the Basque people were specifically targeted. Franco banned the speaking of Basque, and the Basques lost all political autonomy and economic rights. Many Basques were imprisoned or killed. Franco ordered the Basque town, Guernica, to be bombed by the Germans in 1937. Several hundred civilians died. Picasso painted his famous ââ¬Å"Guernicaâ⬠to demonstrate the horror of war. When Franco died in 1975, the Basques received much of their autonomy again, but this did not satisfy all Basques. ETA Terrorism In 1959, some of the fiercest nationalists founded ETA, or Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Liberty. This separatist, socialist organization has conducted terrorist activities to try to break away from Spain and France and become an independent nation-state. Over 800 people, including police officers, government leaders, and innocent civilians have been killed by assassinations and bombings. Thousands more have been injured, kidnapped, or robbed. But Spain and France have not tolerated this violence, and many Basque terrorists have been imprisoned. ETA leaders have claimed numerous times that they want to declare a cease-fire and solve the sovereignty issue peacefully, but they have broken the cease-fire repeatedly. The majority of Basque people do not condone the violent actions of ETA, and not all Basques want complete sovereignty. Geography of the Basque Country The Pyrenees Mountains are the major geographic feature of the Basque Country. The Basque Autonomous Community in Spain is divided into three provinces- Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa. The capital and home of the Basque Parliament is Vitoria-Gasteiz. Other large cities include Bilbao and San Sebastian. In France, many Basques live near Biarritz. The Basque Country is heavily industrialized and energy production is particularly important. Politically, the Basques in Spain have a great deal of autonomy. While they are not independent, the Basques control their own police force, industry, agriculture, taxation, and media. Basque: The Euskara Language The Basque language is not Indo-European: it is a language isolate. Linguists have tried to connect Basque with languages spoken in North Africa and the Caucasus Mountains, but no direct links have been proven. The language Basque is written with the Latin alphabet and the Basques call their language Euskara. It is spoken by about 650,000 people in Spain and about 130,000 people in France. Most Basque speakers are bilingual in either Spanish or French. Basque experienced a resurgence after the death of Franco, and to get a government job in that region, one needs to speak and write Basque; the language is taught in various educational facilities. Basque Culture and Genetics The Basque people are known for their diverse culture and occupations. The Basques built many ships and were excellent seafarers. After explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in 1521, a Basque man, Juan Sebastian Elcano, completed the first circumnavigation of the world. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order of Catholic priests, was Basque. Miguel Indurain has won the Tour de France multiple times. Basques play many sports like soccer, rugby, and jai alai. Most Basques today are Roman Catholic. The Basques cook famous seafood dishes and celebrate many festivals. The Basques may have unique genetics. They have the highest concentrations of people with Type O blood and Rhesus Negative blood, which can cause problems with pregnancy. Basque Diaspora There are approximately 18 million people of Basque descent around the world. Many people in New Brunswick and Newfoundland, Canada, are descended from Basque fishermen and whalers. Many prominent Basque clergymen and government officials were sent to the New World. Today, about 8 million people in Argentina, Chile, and Mexico trace their roots to the Basques, who emigrated to work as sheepherders, farmers, and miners. There are about 60,000 people of Basque ancestry in the United States. Many reside in Boise, Idaho, and in other places in the American West. The University of Nevada at Reno maintains a Basque Studies Department. Basque Mysteries Abound The mysterious Basque people have survived for thousands of years in the isolated Pyrenees Mountains, preserving their ethnic and linguistic integrity. Perhaps one day scholars will determine their origins, but this geographic puzzle remains unsolved. Sources and Further Reading Douglas, William, and Zulaika, Joseba. Basque Culture: Anthropological Perspectives. Reno: University of Nevada, 2007.à Trask, R. L. The History of Basque. London: Routledge, 1997Woodworth, Paddy. The Basque Country: A Cultural History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
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