Boston - Geological Development and Human Settlement Research Paper

Boston - Geological Development and Human Settlement - Research Paper Example This will be in regard to the liquefaction phenomenon, and what considerations need to be put in place, with regard to overall safety measures. The Boston area, part of the larger New England region, is often vulnerable to different earthquakes of varying measures, many of which are small and therefore largely destructive. However a few of these, over 30-40 strikes annually, are critical due to the effective destruction they can cause in terms of lost lives and damage to property and infrastructure (Miller 1). Furthermore, the region surrounding Boston is also vulnerable to shocks and earthquakes, which can be felt in the area as well. A study conducted by John Ebel, a Boston College seismologist evidently places the epicenter of these different quakes to New Hampshire portraying them as aftershocks of a bigger historical occurrence. Importantly is that he predicts a future mega-quake occurring (Miller 1/ Rashed and John 11). Fundamental to the discussion is Boston’s distinguishable feature of having â€Å"elegant brick-and-mortar architecture, which in many cases sits on loose, unstable soil† (Klee 1). Furthermore, expert opinion is of the view that the aging state of the city’s utilities and infrastructure is also a major area of concern. The Beacon Hill’s history as an abolitionist center, especially its northern streets, makes it more prone to such occurrences (Klee 43). This is complemented by Mcphee in his article Travels of the Rock in the New Yorker, who is able to investigate the region’s rock formation origin; relating the concepts of geological history and settlement schemes in the region (Mcphee 108). Accordingly, this provides a basis on which target audiences are able to link the current state of affairs, the architecture involved, and the general vulnerability; to different aspects such as historical settlement, as well as