Hazards Flashcards
How does a tsunami occur?
Continental plate bounds up displacing water and waves are created in all directions
In an tsunami how do the waves behave in deepwater?
The waves are low and fast due to the small amounts of friction withe seabed
In an tsunami how do the waves behave in shallow water?
The waves are slow due to friction with seabed and it increases in weight
What usually occurs around a destructive plate margin?
Fold mountains and earthquakes
What’s a tsunami?
It’s a large wave due to displacement and occurs when an earthquake occurs at a destructive margin
What happens at a conservative plate margin?
Plates move side by side at different speeds
Plates get stuck due to friction and pressure builds up
When pressure releases, it releases a lot of energy causing earthquakes
What happens at a constructive plate margin?
Plates move apart, moving over the mantle causing earthquakes
Magma rises between plates and forms a shield volcano
What lava is around constructive plate margins?
Basaltic lava (fast moving)
What happens at a destructive plate margin?
Subduction - oceanic crust sinks below the continental crust
Oceanic crust melts creating magma
Magma rises creating composite volcanos due to pressure building up under the earths surface
What lava is around destructive plate margins?
Acidic lava - Very slow and forms cone volcanos
What is a risk?
When people live in an area susceptible to natural events.
What is a natural hazard?
Natural events that cause injury/ death or cost money to repair
What is a hazard?
Events that threaten or cause damage to people/ property
What is a natural event?
An occurrence that happens without human action
What does the Volcanic Explosivity Index not measure?
Speed, force and gas emitted
What is the volcanic Explosivity Index?
Logarithmic scale from 0-8
Measures volume of tephra emitted from volcano
What layers make up the earth (from outside to the middle)?
Crust
Mantle
Core
What is the richter scale?
Measures the magnitude of the earthquake
Measures on a seismograph using a logarithmic scale
What is a mercalli scale?
12 point scale
Measures impact and intensity
What is the Moment Magnitude Scale?
Measured on a seismic scale
Measures magnitude and seismic movement
What were the effects of Montserrat?
Loss of revenue from farming and tourism
Ash polluted air - health issues
Houses partially buried or burnt
How is Montserrat managed?
Montserrat Volcano Observatory - monitors volcanos and predicts future eruptions
Risk map produced to show safe areas of the island for residents
Why is Montserrat a hazardous area?
On a destructive plate margin where a volcano has formed
What were the short term effects of Eyjafjnallajokull?
Ash covered buildings which was messy but easy to clean
Flooding from glaciers (never be able to recover)
What were the long term effects of Eyjafjnallajokull?
Glaciers will never recover after melting
Ash impacted further europe (mainly plane travel)
Roads and geothermal pipes were destroyed
Why is Eyjafjnallajokull a hazardous area?
Located under a hotspot
Constructive plate margin through Iceland
How is Eyjafjnallajokull managed?
Careful monitoring
Rehearsed and emergency response team
Radar monitoring (measures height of ash)
What are the opportunities from Eyjafjnallajokull?
Ash improved crop yield
Renewable energy and cool air used for computer businesses
More tourists due to volcano
What is a hotspot?
Very hot under the surface due to mantle rising above core in these areas
What is a mainshock?
The main earthquake that occured