Debris

Debris (UK: /ˈdɛbriː, ˈdeɪbriː/, US: /dəˈbriː/) is rubble, wreckage, ruins, litter and discarded garbage/refuse/trash, scattered remains of something destroyed, or, as in geology, large rock fragments left by a melting glacier, etc. Depending on context, debris can refer to a number of different things. The first apparent use of the French word in English is in a 1701 description of the army of Prince Rupert upon its retreat from a battle with the army of Oliver Cromwell, in England.^[1]

Disaster

In disaster scenarios, tornadoes leave behind large pieces of houses and mass destruction overall. This debris also flies around the tornado itself when it is in progress. The tornado's winds capture debris it kicks up in its wind orbit, and spins it inside its vortex. The tornado's wind radius is larger than the funnel itself. Tsunamis and hurricanes also bring large amounts of debris, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Earthquakes rock cities to rubble debris.

Geological

Obsidian debris (talus), Obsidian Dome, California.

In

lahars, and lava eruptions. Geological debris sometimes moves in a stream called a debris flow. When it accumulates at the base of hillsides, it can be called "talus" or "scree

".

In mining, debris called attle usually consists of rock fragments which contain little or no ore.

Marine

Marine debris applies to floating garbage such as

medical wastes, discarded fishing line and nets, soda cans, and bilge

waste solids.

In addition to being unsightly, it can pose a serious threat to marine life,

birds may mistake plastic pellets for fish eggs

. At other times, animals accidentally eat the plastic while feeding on natural food.

The largest concentration of marine debris is the

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

.

Marine debris most commonly originates from land-based sources. Various international agencies are currently working to reduce marine debris levels around the world.

Meteorological

In

power lines

and poles, and wind-blown garbage. Storm debris can become a serious problem immediately after a storm, in that it often blocks access to individuals and communities that may require emergency services. This material frequently exists in such large quantities that disposing of it becomes a serious issue for a community. In addition, storm debris is often hazardous by its very nature, since, for example, downed power lines annually account for storm-related deaths.

Space

Space debris usually refers to the remains of

meteor

.

A debris disk is a circumstellar disk of dust and debris in orbit around a star.

Surgical

In

disinfected

.

War

In the aftermath of a war, large areas of the region of conflict are often strewn with war debris in the form of abandoned or destroyed hardware and vehicles, mines, unexploded ordnance, bullet casings and other fragments of metal.

Much war debris has the potential to be lethal and continues to kill and maim civilian populations for years after the end of a conflict. The risks from war debris may be sufficiently high to prevent or delay the return of refugees. In addition war debris may contain hazardous chemicals or radioactive components that can contaminate the land or poison civilians who come into contact with it. Many

Mine clearance agencies

are also involved in the clearance of war debris.

Land mines

in particular are very dangerous as they can remain active for decades after a conflict, which is why they have been banned by international war regulations.

In November 2006 the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War^[2] came into effect with 92 countries subscribing to the treaty that requires the parties involved in a conflict to assist with the removal of unexploded ordnance following the end of hostilities.^[3]

Some of the countries most affected by war debris are Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Iraq and Laos.

Similarly military debris may be found in and around

firing range

and military training areas.

Debris can also be used as cover for military purposes, depending on the situation.

Culinary

In South Louisiana's

Cajun

cultures, debris (pronounced "DAY-bree") refers to chopped organs such as liver, heart, kidneys, tripe, spleen, brain, lungs and pancreas.

References

^ Warwick, Sir Philip. (1701). Memoires of the Reigne of King Charles I: With a continuation to the happy restoration of King Charles II. London: Ri.Chiswell. p. 208.
^ "Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War (Protocol V to the 1980 Convention)". International Committee of the Red Cross. 2003. Retrieved 2006-06-20.
^ "War Debris Treaty To Come Into Force in November". Defense News. 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-20.^{[dead link]}

External links

United States Geological Survey: Debris Flows, Mudflows, Jökulhlaups, and Lahars

[1] Warwick, Sir Philip. (1701). Memoires of the Reigne of King Charles I: With a continuation to the happy restoration of King Charles II. London: Ri.Chiswell. p. 208.

[2] "Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War (Protocol V to the 1980 Convention)". International Committee of the Red Cross. 2003. Retrieved 2006-06-20.

[3] "War Debris Treaty To Come Into Force in November". Defense News. 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-20.^{[dead link]}

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