14.5 Measures available to help people cope in tectonically active locations

Question 1

State the disaster risk equation:

Answer 1

Risk = frequency or magnitude of hazard x level of vulnerability/ capacity of population to cope and adapt

R = H x V/C

Question 2

At what point does a geophysical event eg earthquake become a hazard?

Answer 2

When it poses a risk to people

Question 3

What is a ‘disaster’?

Answer 3

An actual event that results in loss of life or a great deal of environmental damage to human environment

Question 4

Physical exposure to tectonic hazards depend on what factors?

Answer 4

• Frequency of earthquakes and volcanic activity
• Magnitude of earthquakes and volcanic activity
• Types of hazards generated by earthquakes and volcanoes
• Number of people living in earthquake/eruption-prone area

Question 5

What is important to consider when looking at the magnitude of a tectonic event?

Answer 5

How often the event occurs and the interval between the events

Question 6

What is a ‘recurrence interval’?

Answer 6

The average time between two events of equal magnitude

Question 7

What is ‘vulnerability’?

Answer 7

A measure of the level of risk an area faces from the impacts of a hazard

Question 8

What is ‘resilience’?

Answer 8

The degree to which an area can recover from the impact of a hazard, affected by an area’s level of vulnerability

Question 9

What physical factors will influence the response to a disaster?

Answer 9

1. Speed of onset of event
2. Magnitude of event
3. Length of event

Question 10

What human factors will influence the response to a disaster?

Answer 10

1. Level of monitoring
2. Degree of preparation
3. Quality/quantity of relief

Question 11

The Park model; Disaster response Curve

Answer 11

See page 15 of notes

Question 12

What are the 3 main strategies for managing tectonic hazards?

Answer 12

• Modifying the event
• Modifying people’s vulnerability
• Modifying people’s loss

Question 13

Give examples of ways of modifying the event:

Answer 13

Volcano - lava-diversion channels, spraying lava so it cools

Earthquake – nothing

Question 14

Give examples of ways of modifying peoples vulnerability:

Answer 14

• Education eg evacuation routes, drills (get to open space if there’s a quake)
• Community preparedness eg building tsunami shelters
• Prediction and warning eg use of technology to monitor active locations
• Hazard-resistant building design (aseismic designs)
• Hazard-mapping eg predicting lahar routes
• Land-use zoning.

Question 15

Give examples of ways of modifying people’s loss:

Answer 15

• Emergency aid eg medical supplies
• Disaster-response teams and equipment eg helicopters
• Search and rescue strategies
• Insurance for buildings
• Resources for rebuilding public services eg schools

Question 16

What is aseismic design?

Answer 16

Architecture and engineering designed to withstand ground shaking and displacement

Question 17

What buildings must be protected by aseismic design and why?

Answer 17

Key buildings such as hospitals, power stations and water treatment plants to modify loss

Question 18

What factors can influence a buildings susceptibility to damage?

Answer 18

• Multi-storey buildings built close together
• Asymmetrical structures
• Soft storey at the base eg car park
• Built on faults or soft soils
• Angle of slope built on

Question 19

What methods are used to increase a buildings resilience to ground shaking?

Answer 19

• Reinforcing with steel frames to absorb energy from a quake
• Deep foundations on soft soil prevent liquefaction
• Fitting energy absorbing pads into foundations