Abstract
This paper examines the Big Bang theory, and how the planet Earth is thought to have come about. The author discusses how if life on Earth was created via the Big Bang, could not humans expect to find intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, created in the same manner? The paper looks at whether humans have the technology to discover possible extraterrestrial life.

From the Paper
"Should we as humans expect to find intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? There are many reasons for and against this concept, but first we should trace just how our terrestrial life started. The beginning of time and the universe began with the Big Bang. This was an explosion that started the expansion of the universe. In the most basic sense, the standard model is simply the idea that every bit of the matter and energy in the universe was once compressed to an unimaginable density. In the big bang, the material exploded outward into the formation of matter that we see today."

Tags:molecules, density, fusion, extraterrestrial, mass, technology, evolution

Abstract
This paper defines what global warming is and gives an in depth analysis of its long term affect. It describes what we can expect if the temperature of the Earth continues to rise. Between flooding and coastal erosion, severe weather, disease, loss of farming, hunting and grazing land and the loss of inhabitable territory, the very existence of the human race would be threatened. Although we do not expect to feel the effects for at least another 200 years, examples of natural disasters in recent history are linked to possible effects of global warming.

From the Paper
"Scientific speculations about the possibility of global warming have been ongoing for years. During the last two decades, the truth about global warming was frequently called into question, and hotly debated. Conservatives, big business, and even many well-intentioned and intelligent scientists all proclaimed such scientific prophecies to be at best an error in computation, or at worst outright deception. Many condemned the prophecies as just another attempt by radical anti-technology, anti-human environmentalist-wackos to stifle everyone's fun."

Tags:atmosphere, greenhouse, effect, gases, weather, erosion, planetary, warming

Abstract
This paper addresses where the world's water sources are located, what classes of contaminants are found in drinking water, how it is processed to become safe for human consumption, and lastly, special attention is given to the problem of lead in drinking water.

From the Paper
"The type of water we generally use in human activities is freshwater. Only 3% of the world's water supply is freshwater and two-thirds of that is frozen, forming the polar ice caps, glaciers, and icebergs. The remaining 1% of the total world water supply is freshwater available as either surface water or ground water; ground water accounts for two-thirds of this amount. Surface water is water that is visible above the ground surface, such as creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes. Ground water is water that either fills the spaces between soil particles or penetrates the cracks and spaces within rocks. Most people get their water from ground water sources. Roughly 9 out of every 10 public water systems. Public water systems operate wells to tap ground water and just over half of the total population served by Public water system drinks water from a ground water source. Millions more get their water from private wells which also tap ground water sources. Ground water systems tend to serve smaller numbers of people, while surface water systems generally serve large populations. The quantity and quality of the world's water supply depends on how we choose to use water. Our use can be consumptive, which means that the water is not returned to nature (such as drinking water), or noncomsumptive. Nonconsumptive use returns water, polluted or not, to the system. Creating hydroelectric power is an example of nonconsumptive use. "

Tags:drought, nature, pollution, sceptic, turbid, organic, disease, contamination, treatment, freshwater, desalination

Abstract
An examination of Milankovitch's theory which links the climate to seasonal and latitudinal variations in the solar energy received by the Earth. Through this theory we are given a better understanding of this time period. Criticism of the theory is also discussed and problems analyzed.

From the Paper
"An ice age is a cool period in Earth history, where much of the Earth s land surface is covered by ice. What is most relevant here is that an ice age is defined by the lower temperatures, with the ice a symptom of this. An ice age then, can be defined as a period when climatic changes produce lower temperatures, which in turn cause the Earth to be covered by large sheets of ice."

Tags:climate, season, earth, cycle, temperature, ocean, science, circulation

Abstract
In this paper the 3 major regions of India are analyzed geographically, looking at the weather patterns, topographical regions, agriculture and climate. The impact of geography on the people of India is also looked at, primarily by looking at the geographic problems in the nation They include population density and a heavy dependence on few industries.

From the Paper
"When studying the land that makes up India, it is important to realize the diversity that abounds in the different regions of the nation. There are three main sections that India can be split into: the Himalayas, the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and the Peninsula. The Himalayan Mountain range is present in India along the northern border, and especially in the northwest corner of the country. There are numerous peaks of various sizes, but the most notable are Mount Nanda Devi and the Godwin-Austen, which lies in disputed territory. There is also an area known as the Lesser Himalayas, which serves as a transition area between the mountainous regions of the north and the central plains. The Himalayas are a key component in the weather dynamics of all of Southern Asia, and India especially depends on them. India has 4 major seasons: winter in December until February; summer from March until May; monsoons from the southwest in June until September; and monsoons from the northeast in October and November."

Tags:density, himalayan, population, problems, soil

From the Paper
"This paper will be concerned with earthquakes caused by the San Andreas Fault in the state of California. There are numerous earthquake fault systems to be found throughout California; however, the San Andreas Fault is by far the largest and "most conspicuous in the state".

Approximately 650 miles long, it is clearly the longest fault in the state. In addition, it is one of the deepest, dropping as far as 20 or 30 miles into the earth's crust at certain points. The San Andreas Fault varies widely in width throughout its stretch. In some sections, the fault is less than 100 yards wide. However, in other locations, the San Andreas Fault is "several hundred yards to a mile or more in width and is interlaced with any number of sub-parallel fault lines". The San Andreas Fault basically runs along the Coast Mountains which follow the ... "

Abstract
This paper first explains that the plate tectonic theory, which suggests that the Earth is made up of a dozen rigid plates, moving independently of each other, is used to explain the movement of the plates on the Earth's lithosphere. Next, the author relates the history of the development of this theory starting from the work of Alfred Wegener, a German geophysicist and meteorologist, in 1912. The paper examines that the studying ocean floor and earthquake and volcanic activity are commonly used as evidence to support the plate tectonic theory.

From the Paper
"By scanning the ocean floors with magnetometers, they hypothesized that the oceanic crust constantly reformed at the crest of the mid-ocean ridges. The further you move away from that ridge crest, the sediment would become increasingly older. As they had been able to see evidence of seafloor spreading, it was accepted that the tectonic plates had moved. They also endeavored to determine and document the earthquake and volcano activity across the globe, to see how it related to the oceanic trenches and underwater mountain ranges."

Tags:asthenosphere, continental drift theory, paleomagnetic polar changes, magnetic field, subduction zones

Abstract
The following paper examines both sides of the global warming issue. The writer discusses the first issue, by making reference to ecological perspectives that claim that certain human activity such as population growth, deforestation, and fossil fuel burning, have lead to increasing solar radiation or heat in the earth's atmosphere, thus increasing the natural temperature of the earth. The paper also deals with the reverse argument which questions whether humans are really increasing the earth's temperature at a alarming rate, or whether humanity is just a ripple in the earth's pool of history, and warmth is simply nature taking its course.

From the Paper
"Global warming is a very important environmental issue concerning the world today and the future of humanity. The issue with global warming is certain human activity such as population growth, deforestation, and fossil fuel burning, have lead some scientists to hypothesize that humans are increasing solar radiation or heat in the earth s atmosphere, thus increasing the natural temperature of the earth. Some greenhouse gases are naturally produced in the Earth s atmosphere from water vapor, and carbon dioxide. The earth s history also shows how the overall temperature of the earth s surface has fluctuated throughout its existence. A problem that arises with the global warming debate is weather patterns have only been traced back to about one hundred and fifty years; therefore it is hard to predict the outcome of the future with such a short past. Another argument surrounding global warming is, are humans really increasing the earth s temperature at a alarming rate, or is humanity just a ripple in the earth s pool of history, and this warmth is nature taking its course? The answers to these questions depend on who you ask, or your view of nature s role on earth."

Abstract
A paper which examines the arguments that refute that it is not accurate to mainly attribute the problem of global warming to the increasing carbon dioxide emission caused by human activities. The paper discusses the issue of global warming and explores the reasons behind the argument that carbon dioxide emissions are most likely the cause of the global warming. This paper provides the necessary information needed to support the argument presented, as well as discusses and analyzes the opposing arguments that are given in light of this controversial environmental issue. In the last part of the paper the author contends that despite opposing claims refuting the main argument, increased carbon dioxide emissions are still the primary reason why global warming has been prevalent over the years.

From the Paper
"There are significant effects in the health of human beings and the environment due to global warming. Human health is threatened because too much heat in the atmosphere causes certain deadly diseases to propagate. Malaria is an example of this disease, which propagate under local climates (hot and humid climates). Excessive heat also result to respiratory ailments and death. Heat strokes attack many people especially when they encounter heat more than their body temperature can take or adapt to. Environmental elements such as water resources dry up due to excessive evaporation. Climate changes occur when excessive precipitation happens because of uncontrollable conditions in the atmosphere. Different landforms become barren and dry, making it impossible for plants to thrive. When this happens, animals that live in their habitats will leave, and may not survive. All of these effects in the environment contribute to the imbalance in ecological diversity."

Tags:Greenhouse, effect, US, Environmental, Protection, Agency, United, Nations

Abstract
Western British Columbia is situated near an active subduction zone. The most densely populated part, the Lower Mainland, is actually sitting on the subduction zone. This paper explains that this dynamic geological setting subjects the region to frequent seismic activity and is, in large part, responsible for a higher risk of destructive earthquakes in comparison to other parts of Canada. While the principal city of Vancouver and its surroundings have not experienced a damaging earthquake so far, large earthquakes with nearby epicenters have been strongly felt, and there is paleoseismic evidence for very large earthquakes in the late Holocene. Hazards associated with earthquakes are discussed in detail, and recommendations are given on how to minimize the impacts of a megathrust earthquake and its accompanying hazards. Paper contains 6 figures and charts.

From the Paper
"Western British Columbia is situated at a dynamic geological setting which causes it to be the most seismically active in Canada and makes it one of the few sites around the world capable of producing a megaquake of a magnitude of ~9. While such a quake has not hit the region in settled time, paleoseismic evidence, oral history traditions and Japanese records date such a quake as having occurred in 1700. There is also evidence which point to these megathrust events as happening at irregular intervals which range from 200 to 800 years. Vancouver lies at the north end of a seismically active region which extends down into Washington State and has its end south of the Puget Sound. Areas directly off the coast of Vancouver Island and all along the Juan de Fuca plate and Cascadia Subduction Zone are very seismically active. The impact of an earthquake over 6 in magnitude with an epicenter near the Lower Mainland would be devastating on the region, if it occurs off the coast of Vancouver Island, even greater damages would be incurred by tsunami. While new building codes to increase safety structures are due to be released in 2005, it may be too late, as a large quake could hit the region any time, and we have no way to predict such quakes."

Tags:activity, faults, landslides, paleoseismology, plate, seismic, subduction, tectonics, tsunami