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hazardous environments Flashcards

1
Q

define natural hazard

A

an event that threatens and causes damage to people, their properties and settlements

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2
Q

4 types of hazards

A
  • biological (living organisms)
  • geological (on earth surface)
  • climatic (atmospheric)
  • technological (caused by humans)
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3
Q

why are hazard risks increasing?

A

result of human influences: population growth, overconsumption of resources, pollution, urbanisation

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4
Q

4 types of plate boundaries

A
  • constructive
  • destructive collision
  • destructive subduction
  • conservative
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5
Q

what are destructive (subduction) plate boundaries

A

when oceanic plate subducts under continental plate
friction between movements can cause strong earthquakes and volcanoes

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6
Q

what are collision plate boundaries

A

two plates of similar densities collide
material buckle and form fold mountains

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7
Q

what are conservative plate boundaries

A

when two plates slide past each other
earthquakes do occur from friction buildup of stress

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8
Q

what are constructive plate boundaries

A

when two plates move apart, magma rises up to fill the gap
causes gentle volcanoes, earthquakes
when two oceanic plates move apart = ocean ridges
when two continental = rift valleys

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9
Q

what are hotspots?

A

anomalies of hot magma rising = mantle plume that doesn’t move
plume melts through crust and escape to surface creating a volcano
create new islands

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10
Q

3 steps to managing tectonic hazards

A

1 prediction
2 preparation and protection
3 responding and planning after event

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11
Q

how to predict tectonic hazards

A
  • seismometers
  • unusual animal behaviours
  • seismic gap theory
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12
Q

how to prepare and protect against a tectonic hazard (+3 earthquake-proof buildings designs!)

A
  • improve public awareness eg drills
  • earthquake kits
  • warning systems
  • shock absorbers / base isolators
  • counterweights
  • deep foundations
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13
Q

responses after tectonic event

A
  • emergency services
  • shelters
  • hospitals
  • stockpiles
  • risk assessments
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14
Q

earthquake casestudy nz

A

Christchurch 2011
185 deaths
developed country

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15
Q

earthquake casestudy haiti

A

developing country
2010
200,000 deaths
30% increase of population living below poverty line
support from international organisations eg UNICEF and Oxfam

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16
Q

short term (immediate) impacts of earthquakes

A
  • death and injury
  • potential transportation + communication damage
  • ## destruction of houses, shops, businesses
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17
Q

long term impacts of earthquakes

A
  • diseases may spread
  • rehousing, potential homelessness
  • high cost of reconstruction
  • unemployment and loss of income source
  • loss of important landmarks
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18
Q

how are volcanoes formed?

A

magma rises through crusts of the earth
pressure is built and when release, eruptions occur
after several eruptions, volcanoes are formed from build up of rocks`

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19
Q

3 positive impacts of volcanic eruptions

A
  • scenery created, attracting tourism and income
  • minerals deposited in soil, very beneficial for agriculture
  • geothermal energy
    eg iceland
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20
Q

negative impacts of volcanic eruptions

A
  • lives lost
  • land and settlements lost from lahars and lava flows
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21
Q

2 types of volcanoes

A
  1. shield - runny, less violent, just consists of lava
  2. composite - acidic, vicious, violent. cone shaped
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22
Q

conditions for tropical storms to form

A
  • sea water temperature above 27°C
  • wind speed of at least 75 mph
  • low air presssure
  • heat and moisture
  • sufficient spin of CORIOLIS effect
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23
Q

how do tropical storms form

A

Converging winds near the ocean surface forcing air to rise and form storm clouds.
storm clouds to rise to high levels
Sufficient distance from the equator for a spin such as the Coriolis force to take effect.

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24
Q

structure of earth

A

inner core - soild, hottest part of earth 6000 C
outer core - liquid
mantle - molten
crust - solid, oceanic and continental

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25
where do earthquakes mostly occur
pacific ring of fire
26
3 scales to measure earthquakes
- Richter - size of seismic waves - Mercalli - impact (uses photos), easy and universal - moment magnitude - energy released
27
scale to measure volcanic eruptions
VEI scale 1-8 to measure intensity
28
why do tectonic plates move?
due to convection currents in the mantle that rises to crust, then condenses back to mantle and repeat Drags the crust along, causing vibration and energy released
29
how to predict volcanic eruptions?
- rise of ground temperatures - tremours increase
30
compare how HICs and LICs prepare and predict for tectonic hazards
HICs possess advanced technologies such as satellites and tiltmeters in Japan, so they have early warning systems with developed transportation and communication services; while LICs lack HICs have organisations, emergency services and education drills to prepare for such hazards, while LICs cannot afford to do so nz/japan vs haiti
31
effects of tropical storms in HICs vs LICs
LICs require international aids to recover, but less economical damage as eg Typhoon Haiyan in Phillippines attacked areas with less investments and development more damage is caused to HICs from their developments. HICs have well developed insurance systems, can recovery rapidly eg Katrina in New Orleans
32
scale to measure tropical storms
saffir simpson scale 5 categories, 5 at highest damage by windspeed, air pressure, storm surges and damage caused
33
reasons to live in high risk areas
- lack of education and information -unable to move away eg lack of money - home, have relatives and friends, employment - attractive benefits (by volcanoes)
34
give an example of a geological hazard
earthquake volcano landslides
35
give an example of a climatic hazard
tropical storms floods droughts
36
give an example of a biological hazard
diseases fires pests
37
give an example of technological hazards
nuclear explosion pollution transport accidents
38
why are some places more hazardous than others?
- some places experience more than one type of natural hazard events - some places experience them stronger and more destructive - some places cope with damaging impacts better
39
when DESCRIBING a trend/graph... (exam technique that needs to stick in my head)
TEA Trend Example Anomalie no need "because"
40
describe the earth's structure
inner core - solid, hottest part outer core - liquid mantle - molten layer crust - oceanic or continental
41
why are tropical cyclones damaging?
- torrential rain > flooding - very strong winds > destructive - storm surges: rise of sea level, low pressure, damage to coastal areas
42
different types of crust
-continental: not destroyed so its older - does not sink - less dense and lighter oceanic - continually renewed, so younger - denser & heavier
43
explain the plate tectonic theory
plates move due to convection currents in the mantle - Heat from the core makes magma in the mantle rise towards the crust. As the hot current nears the crust, it begins to cool and sink back towards the core.
44
describe and explain the formation of hotspot volcanoes
hotspots are locations beneath the earth's crust where hot and strong rising magma occur. the crust above a plume is weak, volcanic activity occurs
45
what landforms are created from constructive plate boundaries?
rift valleys and ocean ridges
46
hazards from volcanoes
- lava flows: destroy farmland, buildings, transport - ash: carried in wind, - pyroclastic flows: lethal gas emissions
47
what is a volcano?
a mountinous vent in earth's crust which emits lava and other gaseous products
48
what is a volcanic eruption?
when molten rock and ash erupts from the inside of the earth
49
what is a primary hazard?
immediate impact - directly caused by the eruption
50
what is a secondary hazard?
indirect consequences, result of primary hazards
51
composite vs shield volcanoes
composite - found between destructive plate boundaries - cone, steep sided - vicious lava, violent eruptions shield - formed over hot spots - basic runny lava - less violent
52
where are earthquake hazards strongest at?
close to epicentre
53
factors that determine the level of damage caused by earthquakes
depth of focus type of rock less deep , soft rocks = more destructive
54
hazards of earthquakes
- shaking, collapse of poor building design - causing fire - tsunamis (earthquake with epicentres under ocean generate strong tidal waves)
55
disadvantages of the mercalli scale
it is based on subjective human experiences and damages done
56
how are tropical storms surging into inland areas?
wind picks up water and push towards shore sea "expands", rise of sea level pushes water fast inland
57
how are tropical storms formed?
warm air from several thunderstorms mix with warm ocean rise coriolis effect cause spin, air rises and pressure decreases gains energy from more warm area, increases strength
58
where is it calm in a tropical storm?
the eye
59
where are most affected by the tropical storms?
eye wall high winds and heavy rain
60
how do hotspots lead to tectonic hazards?
they are plumes of hot magma that rises from the earth's mantle , through earth's crusts and forms volcanoes
61
factor that influences the direction of the wind
the coriolis effect wind moves in the direction of the prevailing wind
62
how can tsunamis be formed by earthquakes
Earthquakes under the sea bed form shock waves (1) this forms a wave which splits (1). The wave then gets bigger (amplifying) and hits the shore (1)

IGCSE Geography (5 decks)

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