Research the 2021 Suez Canal obstruction. Describe what happened. Then identify at least two human characteristics and two physical characteristics of the region that caused the obstruction to occur. Finally, describe how these characteristics caused the obstruction.
Description of the 2021 Suez Canal obstruction:
The 2021 Suez Canal obstruction occurred on March 23 when a huge container ship named Ever Given got stuck in the canal, blocking one of the world's busiest waterways. The ship, owned by a Taiwanese company called Evergreen Marine, was navigating through the canal during a sandstorm when strong winds caused it to veer off course and run aground on the eastern bank.
Human characteristics contributing to the obstruction:
1. Human error: The human characteristic of navigation error played a role in the accident. The strong winds and reduced visibility due to the sandstorm made it challenging for the ship's crew to control the vessel's direction, leading to its grounding.
2. Shipping congestion: The Suez Canal is a vital international shipping route, and its narrow width coupled with high traffic volume contributes to congestion. This characteristic led to the obstruction because it made it difficult for other ships to pass while the Ever Given was stuck, causing delays and further congestion.
Physical characteristics contributing to the obstruction:
1. Narrow width and shallow depth: The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway, measuring approximately 205 meters wide and with a depth of around 24 meters. These physical characteristics contributed to the obstruction as the huge size of the Ever Given meant it fully blocked the canal, leaving no space for vessels to pass through.
2. Prevailing winds and sandstorms: The region where the Suez Canal is located, the Egyptian desert, experiences prevailing winds and occasional sandstorms. These physical characteristics were a significant factor in the obstruction as the strong winds and reduced visibility created challenging navigation conditions for large ships, such as the Ever Given.
The combination of human characteristics like navigation error and shipping congestion, along with physical characteristics like narrow width, shallow depth, and prevailing winds, caused the 2021 Suez Canal obstruction. These factors resulted in the huge container ship running aground and blocking the waterway, disrupting global maritime trade for almost a week until it was eventually refloated with the assistance of tugs and dredging.