Global Disaster Trends

Question 1

What has been the trend in the number of recorded disasters since 1960?

Answer 1

The number of recorded disasters has increased significantly since 1960

This increase is attributed to various factors including population growth and improved monitoring.

Question 2

What has caused more people to be impacted by hazard events?

Answer 2

The world population has grown from 3 billion to over 8 billion since 1960

More people leads to higher exposure to hazards.

Question 3

What is one reason for the increase in recorded hazard events?

Answer 3

Increased monitoring and reporting

More events are documented due to advancements in technology.

Question 4

Which types of disasters have seen the most significant increase?

Answer 4

Floods and extreme weather

These events have contributed largely to the rise in disaster recordings.

Question 5

How have tectonic disaster trends changed since 1960?

Answer 5

The numbers of tectonic disasters has fluctuated but generally remained steady

There is a slight increase in earthquake disasters.

Question 6

Does an increase in earthquake disaster numbers indicate more earthquakes?

Answer 6

No, it does not mean there have been more earthquakes or higher magnitude earthquakes

The increase is due to urbanization and population growth.

Question 7

What factors contribute to the fluctuation of deaths from tectonic hazards?

Answer 7

• Magnitude
• Level of development
• Location

These factors can influence the impact of seismic events on populations.

Question 8

What has contributed to the decrease in the number of deaths from all hazards since 1960?

Answer 8

• Improved building construction, design, and materials
• Increased monitoring
• Greater preparation and planning
• Education
• Improved warning systems
• Increased development

These improvements help mitigate the effects of disasters.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The number of deaths resulting from all hazards has ______ since 1960.

Answer 9

decreased

This trend reflects improvements in disaster preparedness and response.

Question 10

What was the death toll of the 2010 Haiti earthquake?

Answer 10

227,000 deaths

Question 11

What disaster occurred on December 26, 2004, resulting in 277,000 deaths?

Answer 11

Boxing Day tsunami

Question 12

What was the death toll from the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China?

Answer 12

151,000 deaths

Question 13

Which disaster in 1923 resulted in significant fatalities in Tokyo, Japan?

Answer 13

Earthquake

Question 14

What was the death toll of the volcanic eruption of Mount Pelée in Martinique?

Answer 14

38,690 deaths

Question 15

What was the death toll from the Armero disaster in Colombia?

Answer 15

21,800 deaths

Question 16

True or False: Volcanic eruptions are more frequent than earthquakes.

Answer 16

False

Question 17

What factors have contributed to the rarity of deaths from volcanic eruptions?

Answer 17

Improved monitoring, exclusion zones, evacuation plans

Question 18

What has been the trend in the economic cost of disasters since 1960?

Answer 18

Increased

Question 19

As countries develop, what happens to the cost of repairing infrastructure after disasters?

Answer 19

It increases

Question 20

Fill in the blank: Increased _______ means people have more possessions and property to be damaged.

Answer 20

wealth

Question 21

What type of infrastructure is mentioned as being sophisticated and expensive to replace?

Answer 21

Electric grids

Question 22

How does the number of people affected by disasters impact economic costs?

Answer 22

The cost increases

Question 23

What was the economic cost of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan?

Answer 23

360 billion USD

Question 24

What was the estimated economic cost as a percentage of GDP for the Gorkha earthquake in Nepal?

Answer 24

33%

Question 25

What was the estimated economic cost as a percentage of GDP for the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 25

4%

Question 26

True or False: The economic cost of disasters is typically higher in developed countries compared to developing countries.

Answer 26

True

Question 27

What is the relationship between a country’s development status and the impact of disasters on GDP?

Answer 27

The impact tends to be much greater in developing and emerging countries