Policy Changes
Consequences of the Diaster
- One of the biggest policy changes at the moment was after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
- The United States changed its policy from isolationism to active participation in World War II
- Immediately after the attack, martial law was declared in Hawaii, so the Territory of Hawaii was placed under the control of the U.S. military
- The U.S. military significantly increased the defense capabilities of Hawaii.
- As of right now measures are in place to monitor the uss Arizona and reduce environmental damage while preserving the site as a memorial.
- USS Shaw Explosion
- The explosion caused air pollution due to the burning fuel and materials
- The destruction of the ship added physical debris to the harbor, further contaminating the environment.
- Overall, the explosion resulted in both immediate and long-term environmental damage to the Pearl Harbor area
- Oil Spills and Pollution: The bombing of battleships and other naval vessels caused significant oil spills
- This pollution harmed marine life, including fish, birds, and other aquatic organisms, and disrupted the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem
- Destruction of Marine Habitats: Explosions and the sinking of ships led to the physical destruction of coral reefs and other underwater habitats.
- The debris and contaminants from the wreckage further degraded these environments
Similar Disasters
The Attack on Port Arthur (1904): During the Russo-Japanese War, Japan launched a surprise naval attack against the Russian fleet stationed at Port Arthur
The Bombing of Darwin (1942): Often referred to as the "Pearl Harbor of Australia," the Japanese conducted a series of air raids on the northern Australian city of Darwin.
Operation Barbarossa (1941): This was Nazi Germany's surprise invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II.
The Tet Offensive (1968): During the Vietnam War, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched a massive and coordinated series of surprise attacks on more than 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam.
Consequences of the Diaster
- Toxic Residue: The use of explosives and the presence of various chemicals from damaged ships introduced toxic substances into the water and sediment
- USS Arizona Explosion
- Oil Spill: The ship's fuel leaked into the water, causing immediate pollution.
- It's believed between 14,000 and 64,000 gallons of oil have leaked from the ship since the attack
- Ongoing Leakage: The wreck still leaks small amounts of oil today, up to 2-9 quarts of oil per day
- Debris: The explosion scattered debris, which changed the harbor floor and affected marine habitats.
- Harm to Marine Life: oil and gas exploration and development causes disruption of migratory pathways, degradation of important animal habitats, and oil spills
- oil and gas spills causes disruption of migratory pathways, degradation of important animal habitats, and oil spills
Diaster Breakdown
- Early Morning, December 7, 1941, Japanese aircraft carriers launch planes towards Pearl Harbor.
- At 7:55 AM the first wave of Japanese planes begins bombing and torpedoing the naval base.
- Then at 8:10 AM Battleship USS Arizona explodes after being hit, causing significant casualties.
Conclusion
Pearl Harbor: Man-Made Disaster
- And at 8:54 AM the second wave of Japanese planes continues the attack, targeting ships and airfields.
- Then at 9:30 AM the USS shaw exploded in drydock
- Finally Later on at 10:00 AM the attack ends, significant damage is inflicted on the Pacific Fleet, with eight battleships, numerous other ships, and over 300 aircrafts damaged or destroyed.
The bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, caused significant environmental damage. The immediate aftermath cuased extensive oil spills from damaged and sunken ships, which polluted the harbor's waters and affected marine life. Fires from the explosions released toxic smoke ino the air, further contributing to pollution. The physical destruction of the naval base led to the release of hazardous materials, including fuel and chemicals, into the environment. Cleanup and recovery efforts were required to address the contamination and restore the affected areas.
Further more this event opend up the US's entry into WW2.
Samuel Velasquez Per #2
Table of contents
Consequences of the Diaster
Diaster Overview
Background
- On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
- 350 Japanese aircraft sunk or badly damaged eighteen US naval vessels, including eight battleships, destroyed or damaged 300 US aircraft
- The surprise bombing killed over 2,400 people, and led the U.S. to enter World War II by declaring war on Japan.
- December 7th 1941, aircrafts of the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
- Before pearl Habor was a milrarty base Pearl Harbor was a large natural inland lagoon.
- As one of the finest natural harbors in the Pacific Basin, Pearl Harbor was readily identified as a strategically important military asset.
- The battleship USS Arizona was only in combat for minutes before a Japanese armor-piercing bomb struck the ship’s forward magazine, causing an explosion
- The people that caused Pearl Harbor were Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto concieved the Pearl Harbor attack, and Captain Minoru Genda planned it.
Resources
- https://brainly.com
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/
- https://www.history.navy.mil
- https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA254018.pdf
- https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov
- https://www.militarytimes.com/
- https://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0508.html
- https://pearlharbor.org/
- https://www.nationalww2museum.org/
Diaster Clean-up
- In the aftermath of the attack, the first priority was to rescue survivors
- Salvage teams worked tirelessly to recover damaged ships and equipment.
- Stabilizing Vessels ensured that ships did not capsize or suffer further damage.
- Damaged ships that could be repaired were sent to dry docks for extensive repairs and overhauls.
- The harbor itself was cleared of debris, wreckage, and oil spills to restore navigability and operational capacity.