GHC Ch 1: Natural Disasters and Human Population Flashcards
What are the two deadliest events?
tropical storms (hurricanes) and earthquakes
Is a greater magnitude disaster more or less likely to happen than a lesser magnitude disaster?
Less likely
At what rate is the population increasing?
1.2% per year
carrying capacity
The maximum population size that can be supported under a given set of environmental conditions.
CE
Common era. Same as AD.
cyclone
A region of low atmospheric pressure and converging air that rotates counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
demographic transition
The change from a human population with high birth rates and high death rates to one with low birth rates and low death rates.
earthquake
The shaking of Earth by seismic waves radiating away from a disturbance, most commonly a fault movement.
energy
Capacity for performing work
epidemic
An outbreak of desease
exponential growth
Growth in a compound fashion that, given time, leads to incredible numbers.
fertility
The ability to produce offspring; the proportion of births to population.
frequency
Number of events in a given time interval. For earthquakes, it is the number of cycles of seismic waves that pass in a second; frequency=1/period
great natural disaster
A disaster so overwhelming that outside assistance is needed to handle the rescue and recovery for the region.
hurricane
A large, tropical cyclonic storm with wind speeds exceeding 119 and 19 km/h; called a typhoon in the Western Pacific Ocean and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean.
influenza
Highly contagious virus caused diseases. The word is commonly shortened to flu.
magnitude
An assessment of the size of an event. Magnitude scales exist for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, and tornadoes. For earthquakes, different magnitudes are calculated for the same earthquake when different types of seismic waves are used.
mitigation
Actions taken by humans to minimize the possible effects of a natural hazard.
mortality
Death rate; the proportion of deaths to population
natural disaster
An event or process that destroys life and/or property.
natural hazard
A source of danger to life, property, and the environment. The probability that a dangerous event will occur.
pandemic
A disease occurring over a wide area and affecting many people.
return period
Amount of time between an event of a given size.
tornado
Spending funnels of wind whose rotating windspeeds can exceed 480 km/h.
tsunami
Giant, long period sea waves caused by oceanic disturbances, such as fault movements, volcanic eruptions, meteorite impacts, and landslides.
typhoon
A large, tropical cyclonic storm with wind speeds exceeding 119 km/h; called a hurricane in the Western Hemisphere
virus
Submicroscopic agents of many infectious diseases. Viruses replicate inside living cells of organisms.
volcano
An opening of the Earth’s surface where magma has poured or blown forth, typically creating hills or mountains.
Where in the world are deaths from natural disasters highest?
in a belt through Asia, along the Indian Ocean
Where in the world are insurance losses from natural disasters highest?
in U.S., Europe and Japan
Why has the population suddenly boomed?
Scientific medical revolution and public health care, better shelter, food, and water supplies
What is the current world population?
7 billion
What is the population doubling time?
58 years
How many people were killed by natural disasters in 2011?
Nearly 29,000
What is the number of fatalities proportional to?
population density
What are death totals are often related to?
economic, educational, and political factors
altruism
the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Increase in economic losses over time is result of what?
Increase in human population and urbanization
Vulnerability equation
= risk amplification measures – the risk mitigation measures +/- risk perception factors
structural mitigation
Design features, overdesign, structural safeguards, and failsafe design meant to minimize the possible effects of a natural hazard.
non-structural mitigation
Emergency plans, evacuation plans, prediction of impact, and warning processes meant to minimize the possible effects of a natural hazard.
What kind of graph would describe the population growth?
exponential
Doubling time formula?
70/
% growth rate/year
Formula for growth rate?
fertility (birth) rate – mortality (death) rate
Human population grows by about how many people per year?
80 million
Demographic transition theory
Mortality and fertility rates decline from high to low levels because of economic and social development
What are some examples of carrying capacity?
IRELAND- in the 1840s introduction of potatoes in 1500s led to population increase. Potato blight in mid 1840s led to malnourishment. Population fell dramatically as over one million people died and one and a half million people emigrated.
RAPA NUI (Easter Island)- Isolated Pacific island with poor soil and little water Settled by 25-50 Polynesians in 5th century. Survived easily on chickens and yams, plenty of free time. Reached by a Dutch ship in 1722. Carrying capacity had been drastically lowered by society’s actions: transportation of Moai had required cutting down trees, erosion of soil made yams scarce, and lack of canoes made fishing difficult and escape impossible.
