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Team:Edinburgh/projectmain/landmines
From 2009.igem.org
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<center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2009/1/1c/EdinburghFootsteppingonmine.jpg"> <br /></center> | <center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2009/1/1c/EdinburghFootsteppingonmine.jpg"> <br /></center> | ||
| - | <center><i>An M16 anti-personnel mine can be activated by 11 pounds of pressure—equivalent to a small child</i></center> | + | <center><i>An M16 anti-personnel mine can be activated by 11 pounds of pressure—equivalent to a small child</i><br /></center> |
<center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2009/3/32/EdinburghMineexplosion.jpg"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2009/9/97/EdinburghAnti-tank_mine.jpg"></center> | <center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2009/3/32/EdinburghMineexplosion.jpg"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2009/9/97/EdinburghAnti-tank_mine.jpg"></center> | ||
| - | <center><i>An anti-tank mine, activated by high pressure</i></center> | + | <center><i>An anti-tank mine, activated by high pressure</i></center><br /> |
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Revision as of 13:17, 19 October 2009
Landmines description
Landmine
A landmine is an explosive device planted in the ground and activated by pressure, magnetic fields and tripwires, among many others. They are one of the most commons weapons used in modern warfare and are most often used as tactical barriers and enemy deterrents.
An M16 anti-personnel mine can be activated by 11 pounds of pressure—equivalent to a small child
An anti-tank mine, activated by high pressure
Controversy
Landmines are very controversial as after the conflict is over, they remain in the ground as unexploded ordnance—that is, they remain active for many years and the maps of their location are often lost and forgotten. For this reason abandoned minefields around the globe pose a constant danger to civilians.
Landmine Casualties
Anti-personnel mines maim and kill 15000 to 20000 people every year, 80% of which are civilians, and a further 1/3 of which are children. Since the 1970’s, 1 million people have been killed or maimed by landmines, most of the casualties reported have been in Cambodia, Iraq, Burundi, Afghanistan and Laos.
Active Landmine Map
The map of active minefields in the world is shown below. The UN has estimated that 100 million landmines are planted in the world right now, and almost twice that is in stockpiles. Angola and Cambodia are among the countries with the highest active landmine count.
Personal note
Landmine
A landmine is an explosive device planted in the ground and activated by pressure, magnetic fields and tripwires, among many others. They are one of the most commons weapons used in modern warfare and are most often used as tactical barriers and enemy deterrents.
Controversy
Landmines are very controversial as after the conflict is over, they remain in the ground as unexploded ordnance—that is, they remain active for many years and the maps of their location are often lost and forgotten. For this reason abandoned minefields around the globe pose a constant danger to civilians.
Landmine Casualties
Anti-personnel mines maim and kill 15000 to 20000 people every year, 80% of which are civilians, and a further 1/3 of which are children. Since the 1970’s, 1 million people have been killed or maimed by landmines, most of the casualties reported have been in Cambodia, Iraq, Burundi, Afghanistan and Laos.
Active Landmine Map
The map of active minefields in the world is shown below. The UN has estimated that 100 million landmines are planted in the world right now, and almost twice that is in stockpiles. Angola and Cambodia are among the countries with the highest active landmine count.
Edinburgh University iGem Team 2009
