chapter 1

Question 1

what is the principle of uniformitarianism?

Answer 1

the earth formed and continues to form as the result of the slow consistent processes

Question 2

what is the principle of catastrophism?

Answer 2

the earth formed and continues to form as the result of short catastrophic events. this also implies that Earth is not that old

Question 3

what is the prince of actualism?

Answer 3

the earth formed, and continues to form as the result of slow, constant, processes that are periodically interrupted by catastrophic events

Question 4

what is a hazard?

Answer 4

something that has the potential to cause harm

Question 5

what is a “natural” hazard?

Answer 5

a situation where harm (property damage, loss of life, changes to the landscape) maybe caused by natural processes

Question 6

what is a disaster or catastrophic event?

Answer 6

an event that has caused harm

Question 7

define exposure. give an example

Answer 7

refers to proximity (chance) someone or something has to a hazard

Question 8

natural processes include:

Answer 8

earthquakes
volcanism 
flooding 
mass wasting 
weather 
water quality 
wild fires

Question 9

define sensitivity. gave an example

Answer 9

a measure of how someone or something may be effected by this hazard. ( someone who’s uninformed is more sensitive than someone is is unformed)

Question 10

what resources are needed to reduce sensitivity?

Answer 10

awareness, being informed about a risk, low exposure

Question 11

explain vulnerability. give an example

Answer 11

is a combination of exposure and sensitivity. it takes into account a persons or places proximity to a hazard and their ability to deal with to determine what will happen when a catastrophic event takes place

Question 12

what resources are necessary to reduce vulnerability in the event of a disaster?

Answer 12

minimize the exposure and increase awareness

Question 13

discuss the relative difference between exposure, sensitivity and vulnerability as they pertain to mass wasting events, in mid-latitude regions,(i.e. Canada) as compared to subtropical regions (i.e El Salvador)

Answer 13

for both locations mass wasting in the form of avalanches and flows is a significant hazard. both have high exposure. Sensitivity is different. it is less in BC because we are aware of the hazard and can avoid it. Sensitivity is higher in El Salvador because despite awareness, steep terrain is harder to avoid. In Salvador there is less land- it is a small country and land thats a safer is often owned or controlled by others

Question 14

what is the relationship between wealth and mortality rates during a natural disaster?

Answer 14

In a wealthy place, where sensitivity is less, the result of a catastrophe is often property damage. Mortalities are much less. in poorer areas where sensitivity is higher there is often less property damage but mortality os higher

Question 15

is it possible to predict a natural event? why

Answer 15

NO. Predictions are of more precise events such as a magnitude 7.0 earthquake on Vancouver Island the weeks of Jan7-13, 2019

Question 16

it is possible to forecast a natural event? why

Answer 16

YES. These are more general statements about a situation such as there will be an earthquake in BC in the next 50 years.

Question 17

what is adaptive capacity?

Answer 17

is the ability to plan for, react to and recover from a catastrophe.

Question 18

what is a fractal and what use is one in understanding the Earth? give an example

Answer 18

a fractal is something (i.e river) that behaves the same regardless of size. understanding it helps to understand natural process including hazards

Question 19

what is the relationship between magnitude and perception when it comes to humans and natural events?

Answer 19

Magnitude is the severity of the hazard, its size and frequency. perception is the awareness of a hazard. people are generally more aware of large, more disasterous hazards but tend to be less focused on smaller, less hazardous events. THIS BIASES OUR PERCEPTION OF HAZARDS AND POTENTIAL IMPACT

Question 20

how has population growth contributed to more loss of life and property damage during a natural catastrophe?

Answer 20

population is increasing.
people are moving and concentrating in urban, coastal areas. people are more exposed. there is also more property, more stuff. there is more complex, fragile, expensive stuff to repair

Question 21

what is the best mitigation effort in response to an actual or anticipated natural catastrophe?

Answer 21

to be informed and have a plan.

Question 22

what are some of the problems concerning society and its approach to natural hazards?

Answer 22

people are not as prepared as they should be. the lack information and the will to deal with it