Question

What is one disadvantage of the sudden growth of communities near the oil fields of North Dakota that places them at risk?

Many of the oil wells leak, and oil constantly runs down the streets


All of the communities have railroad crossings


Many of the towns do not have any roads leading into or out of town in case of emergency


Many of the communities have grown along the rail lines, which carry hundreds of filled oil tanker cars from the terminal to the refinery every day

Answer 1

The growth of communities along rail lines carrying oil tankers in North Dakota poses a risk of oil spills or explosions, which can be both immediately dangerous and environmentally damaging in the long-term.

Step-by-step explanation:

One disadvantage of the sudden growth of communities near the oil fields of North Dakota that places them at risk is that many of the communities have grown along the rail lines, which carry hundreds of filled oil tanker cars from the terminal to the refinery every day. This poses a significant risk as an accident involving one of these tanker cars could result in a disastrous oil spill or explosion, posing immediate danger to the residents and causing long-term environmental damage.

The historical context of environmental crises, like the Exxon Valdez oil tanker crash or the Deepwater Horizon spill, has shown the devastating impacts of oil spills on communities and ecosystems. Also, the brusque expansion of communities can lead to inadequate infrastructure, such as emergency access and proper sewage treatment, further exacerbating the environmental toll of accidents.