5. Impact of Geographical Phenomena Flashcards

1
Q

Hazards are

A

Anything that has potential to do damage and it is considered a disaster when that potential is realised

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2
Q

types of hazards

A
  • Geological
  • Meteorological
  • Man-made vs Natural
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3
Q

eg of Geological hazards

A

Volcanoes and Earthquakes

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4
Q

eg of Meteorological hazards

A

Hurricanes, Droughts, Floods

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5
Q

eg of Man-made vs Natural hazards

A

some floods

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6
Q

What determines impact of a disaster

A
  • Size of the hazard
  • population density
  • Experience with the hazard
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7
Q

how Size of the hazard can impact a disaster

A

eg. hurricanes based on categories. more damage expected from a 5 than a 4. Not always however

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8
Q

how population density can impact a disaster

A

potential for significant loss of life greater

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9
Q

how Experience with the hazard can impact a disaster

A

Will persons be prepared to cope with problems which come as a result of the disaster
Eg. Hurricanes: Will there be enough food, water, protecting windows, doors, building in way to resist a hurricane

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10
Q

Plate tectonics refer to

A

a theory which explains formation of features like mountains, volcanoes etc

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11
Q

earth is made up of

A

plates which move in 3 basic directions resulting in various hazards and features
 Divergent
 Convergent
 Transform

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12
Q

divergent plates cause

A

volcanoes

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13
Q

convergent plates cause

A

earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains (found in East of Caribbean)

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14
Q

transform plates cause

A

earthquakes (found in Northern Caribbean)

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15
Q

A volcano is

A

an opening or rupture in earth’s surface or crust where magma comes onto the surface and makes various landforms

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16
Q

Positive impact of volcanoes on society

A

 land creation where can lead to increase of land mass,
eg. Monseratt

 soil fertility- which is good for farming

 tourist interest
eg- sulphur springs - said to be good for certain ailments (in Dominica and St. Lucia

 Geothermal energy

 Creation of artworks since volcanoes can be inspirational

17
Q

geothermal energy is

A

clean, non-polluting energy that reduces need to import petroleum to generate electricity

18
Q

negative impact of volcanoes on society

A

 Loss of life and human potential

 Can lead to cultural erasure

 Social displacement

 Destruction of plants and animals

 Can lead to destruction of infrastructure

 Result in respiratory illnesses with gasses like sulphur, ash plumes/clouds

19
Q

how Loss of life and human potential is a negative impact of volcanoes on society

A

 loss of workforce - those who are economically active in society

 loss of consumers

 loss of taxpayers

 In Eastern Caribbean, volcanoes have had most significant impact in loss of life. 30,000 people over last 300 years.

 In Martinique in 1904 30,000 people died in the explosion of Mt. Pele

20
Q

how cultural erasure is a negative impact of volcanoes on society

A

persons who may be knowledgeable of the island’s history may lose their lives and not pass along their knowledge through socialisation

21
Q

how Social displacement is a negative impact of volcanoes on society

A

 persons must be relocated from their home environments

 can be traumatic

 In Monseratt many people had to leave the island due to prolonged volcanic activity

22
Q

how Destruction of plants and animals is a negative impact of volcanoes on society

A

Especially those used for economic activity
 crops
 those used for export

23
Q

how destruction of infrastructure is a negative impact of volcanoes on society

A
 buildings
 communications
 transport - airports, roads
 can lead to unplanned spending by governments
 catastrophic to economies
24
Q

measures used to mitigate the impact of volcanic activity

A

1)public education
 teaching about nature of volcanoes
 signs for volcanoes and volcanic activity

2) formation of exclusion zones around a volcano

3) technology
 thermal imaging - heat changes
 chemical sensors - increases in gasses like sulphur
 seismographic instruments - shaking within earth
 early warning system

25
Earthquakes
A series of shocks and tremors that result from a sudden release of pressure in the earth's crust
26
impacts of earthquakes
- loss of life - most recent was Haiti, 2010 - 300,000 deaths - social displacement - landslides - destruction of infrastructure like loss of cultural landmarks and fires - gas main ruptures -spread of water-born illnesses like cholera, water mains and sewage mains rupturing can lead to water contamination
27
measures to mitigate impact of earthquakes
1-provision of public education like what to do before, during and after hazards is significant 2-sound building practices  discouraging building in areas where land may be unstable or prone to liquefaction  solid foundations, reinforced steel  use of ball bearings which allow building to sway with earthquake 3-use of exoskeleton on building to stabilize during earthquake 4-Storing critical supplies  adequate provisions of water, food  knowing where documents are located 5-improvement of emergency response services 6-ensuring good communication plans  should be drills so people know what to do  where are safe zones  staying under a sturdy desk
28
Prohibitive factors which prevent proper preparations
1) Cost of maintenance 2) weighting of different preparations for different disasters 3) training of qualified staff 4) perception of public of disaster - perception of the event as a once in a lifetime event