Hazardous Environments 3.6 Reasons for Living in High-Risk Areas

Question 1

Why do so many people continue to live and work in hazardous areas? (earthquakes and tropical cyclones) (6)

Answer 1

• lack of education and information, may cause the residents to be unaware of the risk
• people may be aware of the risk, but descide to live there anyways, possibly because of certain benefits
• people may be unable to move away, due to a lack of money, or not being able to find a job elsewhere
• many people are optimistic and believe they will never be a natural dissaster victim, or they may be resigned to their fate, knowing there is nothing they can do about it
• these areas can have a number of attractions, such as where family has lived for generations, friends, work, where they feel comfortable
• centuries of investment into cities in these areas, money and human investment, and they cannot afford to throw all of that investment away

Question 2

The benefits that volcanoes cause (3)

Answer 2

• volcanoes bring valuable MINERAL resources to the surface (diamonds, gold, copper)
• volcanic ash often contains minerals that make SOIL more FERTILE (not all volcanoes)
• volcanoes interest people and attract TOURISM