5. Impact of Geographical Phenomena

Question 1

Hazards are

Answer 1

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

Question 2

types of hazards

Answer 2

• Geological
• Meteorological
• Man-made vs Natural

Question 3

eg of Geological hazards

Answer 3

Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Question 4

eg of Meteorological hazards

Answer 4

Hurricanes, Droughts, Floods

Question 5

eg of Man-made vs Natural hazards

Answer 5

some floods

Question 6

What determines impact of a disaster

Answer 6

• Size of the hazard
• population density
• Experience with the hazard

Question 7

how Size of the hazard can impact a disaster

Answer 7

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

Question 8

how population density can impact a disaster

Answer 8

potential for significant loss of life greater

Question 9

how Experience with the hazard can impact a disaster

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Plate tectonics refer to

Answer 10

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

Question 11

earth is made up of

Answer 11

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

Question 12

divergent plates cause

Answer 12

volcanoes

Question 13

convergent plates cause

Answer 13

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

Question 14

transform plates cause

Answer 14

earthquakes (found in Northern Caribbean)

Question 15

A volcano is

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Positive impact of volcanoes on society

Answer 16

 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

Question 17

geothermal energy is

Answer 17

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

Question 18

negative impact of volcanoes on society

Answer 18

 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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

 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

Question 20

how cultural erasure is a negative impact of volcanoes on society

Answer 20

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

Question 21

how Social displacement is a negative impact of volcanoes on society

Answer 21

 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

Question 22

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

Answer 22

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

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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

Question 24

measures used to mitigate the impact of volcanic activity

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Earthquakes

Answer 25

A series of shocks and tremors that result from a sudden release of pressure in the earth’s crust

Question 26

impacts of earthquakes

Answer 26

• 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

Question 27

measures to mitigate impact of earthquakes

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Prohibitive factors which prevent proper preparations

Answer 28

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