California Multi-Hazard Location Flashcards
What is California’s population?
40 million
Why is natural disaster mortality low in California?
HIC so sophisticated management systems and better education on responses.
Why is California still at risk of natural disasters?
Natural disasters cant be fully prevented.
20% still live below the poverty line.
3.5 million live in hazardous locations.
How is California at risk of earthquakes?
Located on a conservative plate boundary, creating shallow and so more destructive earthquakes.
More than 70% of California’s population live within 50km of a fault line.
LAs geology is largely soft sediments, vulnerable to soil liquefaction (1989).
Is California at risk of volcanoes?
There are some volcanoes in the north but no eruptions since 1915 (Lassen Peak).
How is California at risk of landslides?
Easily triggerable by earthquakes which are known to be present here.
Steep slopes = higher risk.
Wildfires leave land vulnerable to erosion and therefore landslides.
How is California at risk of tsunamis?
Tsunamis are possible due to the presence of earthquakes on the coast.
Alaska 1965 tsunami killed 12 people in Northern California.
How is California at risk of flooding?
Winter storms during El Nino years and deforested hill slopes leads to flooding.
How is California at risk of drought?
Climate change causing increased temperature can cause droughts during times of water deficit.
La Nina events (cooler pacific ocean) means less evaporation/precipitation so increased chance of a drought.
How is California at risk of wildfires?
Often when drought is also occurring.
Wind from the Sierra Nevada Mountains squeezes down canyons increasing speed and risk of wildfires.
How is California at risk of wildfires?
Often when drought is also occurring.
Wind from the Sierra Nevada Mountains squeezes down canyons increasing speed and risk of wildfires.
Large pine forests of particular risk for wildfires
