Meliora: a podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute
Emma Robson - Assessing the Impact of Volcanic Activity on Submarine Cable Infrastructure to Megacities: Case Study of Jakarta, Manila, Mexico City, Tokyo
In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium we are joined by Emma Robson (BSc Environmental Science) to discuss her Independent Research Project 'Assessing the Impact of Volcanic Activity on Submarine Cable Infrastructure to Megacities: Case Study of Jakarta, Manila, Mexico City, Tokyo'.
As the world becomes more globalised our reliance on communication cables has increased, however the infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable from natural hazards, especially volcanoes. As a result, humanity is becoming ever more vulnerable. Although to what extent is unknown. Therefore, this project aims to assess which Megacity’s and key communication cable infrastructures are most vulnerable from volcanoes within a 100km buffer. The project objectives include producing a map of communication cable infrastructure in relation to volcanoes to establish which megacities can therefore be further investigated. The investigation includes designing, calculating and implementing a vulnerability index for each key megacity’s communications based on cable infrastructure, cable age, volcano elevation, recent volcanic activity and population.
The results are compared against literature to analyse, discuss and evaluate why people/communities/megacities are in such close proximity to volcanoes. Throughout the investigation Manila, Mexico City, Tokyo and Jakarta were analysed. Overall Manila was the most vulnerable Megacity, Mt Taal being the most threatening volcano by a considerable score. This research can be used to help understand where cable infrastructure requires more protection and therefore which populations are most vulnerable to information ‘cut-offs’ in the event of cable damage. In addition, this vulnerability index could be used on a wider scale to measure against volcanoes globally.
The Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium is part of the 2024 Student Takeover Season where we celebrate the fantastic sustainability research work of our Undergraduate Students.
Episode Guest: Emma Robson
Episode Host: Prof Simon Kemp
Episode Editor: Jack Dinham
Engage with us on instagram and X: @meliorapodcast
In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium we are joined by Emma Robson (BSc Environmental Science) to discuss her Independent Research Project 'Assessing the Impact of Volcanic Activity on Submarine Cable Infrastructure to Megacities: Case Study of Jakarta, Manila, Mexico City, Tokyo'.
As the world becomes more globalised our reliance on communication cables has increased, however the infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable from natural hazards, especially volcanoes. As a result, humanity is becoming ever more vulnerable. Although to what extent is unknown. Therefore, this project aims to assess which Megacity’s and key communication cable infrastructures are most vulnerable from volcanoes within a 100km buffer. The project objectives include producing a map of communication cable infrastructure in relation to volcanoes to establish which megacities can therefore be further investigated. The investigation includes designing, calculating and implementing a vulnerability index for each key megacity’s communications based on cable infrastructure, cable age, volcano elevation, recent volcanic activity and population.
The results are compared against literature to analyse, discuss and evaluate why people/communities/megacities are in such close proximity to volcanoes. Throughout the investigation Manila, Mexico City, Tokyo and Jakarta were analysed. Overall Manila was the most vulnerable Megacity, Mt Taal being the most threatening volcano by a considerable score. This research can be used to help understand where cable infrastructure requires more protection and therefore which populations are most vulnerable to information ‘cut-offs’ in the event of cable damage. In addition, this vulnerability index could be used on a wider scale to measure against volcanoes globally.
The Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium is part of the 2024 Student Takeover Season where we celebrate the fantastic sustainability research work of our Undergraduate Students.
Episode Guest: Emma Robson
Episode Host: Prof Simon Kemp
Episode Editor: Jack Dinham
Engage with us on instagram and X: @meliorapodcast