BST 1.5 Natural Hazards Flashcards
What are natural hazards
They are defined as environmental occurrences which have the potential to negatively impact societies and the human and natural environment. Some examples are floods, droughts, earthquakes, wildfire and tsunamis. These hazards turn into natural disasters which may cause loss of life, injuries, or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption or environmental damage.
Every year Bangladesh faces a number of natural hazards such as floods, cyclones and landslides which cause damage to property, cause injuries and multiple deaths.
THE LOCATION, WEATHER AND CLIMATE OF BANGLADESH ARE LINKED TO SOME OF THESE HAZARDS
What are cyclones (and details)
Tropical Cyclones are circular storms that form over warm oceans and rotate about a center of low atmospheric pressure. When a cyclone hits land, it brings heavy rains and strong winds. These winds can destroy buildings and rip out trees by the root.
During a cyclone, there is a great rise in sea level due to the extreme winds. This is known as the storm surge, which causes flooding as the water moves further inland/towards the coast.
A storm surge is the most dangerous aspect of cyclones because the people living in the coastal areas are needed to save themselves from not only the strong winds, but the pressure of the floods as well (which may blow/sweep them away)
What are the three factors that make Bangladesh a cyclone-prone country
Firstly, Bangladesh is a coastal area located adjacent to the Bay of Bengal. The cyclones usually form in the Bay of Bengal and hit the coastal areas first before moving closer inland. Secondly, the southern part of Bangladesh, at the tip of the Bay of Bengal borders with India and Myanmar, giving it a funnel shape. The funnel shape makes it a high risk area experiencing very high waves during cyclones. Lastly Bangladesh is a low lying country (consisting of mainly plain lands) which is another factor as to why it is cyclone prone.
Definition of drought
Drought is another kind of natural hazard which occurs when there is not enough water to meet the normal needs of agriculture, industry and people. It takes place during the dry seasons (winter) when there is little to no rain for a long period. Farmers are the most affected during drought because the agriculture soil dries up which leads to their crops dying
Natural hazards are defined as _______________ __________ which have the potential to _________ ___________ societies and the ___________ and __________ environment
environmental occurrences, negatively impact, human, natural
A tropical cyclone is a circular storm that _________ around a center of ______ _______________ pressure and forms over ________ __________
rotates, low atmospheric, warm oceans
The _________ ________ and ________ __________ make cyclones into natural hazards
strong winds, heavy rainfalls
The most dangerous aspect of the cyclone is the ________ _________ which is a ______ in _________ due to _____ ____________
storm surge, rise, sea level, low pressure
A tornado is a ________ cyclone which as _________ energy
small, incredible
