1.1 Natural hazards

Question 1

What are natural hazards

Answer 1

Extreme natural events, that cause loss of life, damage and property

Question 2

What are the main factors that affect hazard risk?

Answer 2

Wealth -Risk tends to decrease with increased wealth as people can afford to prepare and respond to natural hazards

Population growth - More people to interact with natural events

Question 3

Why do people live near hazardous areas?

Answer 3

Can’t accurately predict hazard because of location, timing or magnitude of earthquake

Can’t move from country because of poverty or lack of knowledge

It’s worth staying, it has jobs and resources

Don’t want it to happen - overconfident in defences, optimistic it won’t happen

Question 4

Outline two human developments that could increase the risk of people being affected by natural hazards (4 marks)

Answer 4

Urbanisation, 50% people now live in cities and tectonically active cities such as LA and Tokyo attract people for socio-economic reasons. Urbanisation leads to increased damage to property and potential loss of life

Poverty- Poverty forces people to live in areas at risk or on marginalised land such as hillsides at risk of landslides such as Sao Paulo Brazil. LIC’s are less prepared for natural hazards therefore increasing risk to people and property

Question 5

When is a natural event defined as a natural hazard

Answer 5

When it poses a potential risk of damage to property or loss of life

Question 6

Outline to factors which affect hazard risk (4 marks)

Answer 6

Firstly wealth, people and governments are better able to prepare and respond to natural disasters with increased wealth. This decreases hazard risk.

Population growth, increases hazard risk as there are more people to interact with natural events casing damage to property and loss of life.

Question 7

what is a hazard risk?

Answer 7

Probability or chance that a natural hazard may take place

Question 8

Give examples of tectonic hazards

Answer 8

• earthquakes
• tsunamis
• volcanoes
• mountain avalanches

Question 9

Give examples of climatic hazards

Answer 9

• flooding
• tornadoes
• tropical storms
• droughts

Question 10

Why are tectonic hazards and climatic hazards increasing

Answer 10

weather and climate change