Key concepts

Question 1

Define primordial heat

Answer 1

The heat left over from the creation of the earth.

Question 2

Define slab pull

Answer 2

The force generated by the denser oceanic crust gravitationally orientating itself deeper into the mantle.

Question 3

Define ridge push

Answer 3

Where the new crust formed at constructive plate margins is less dense than the surrounding crust and is it rises to form oceanic ridges.

Question 4

Define adaptation

Answer 4

The attempts by people or communities to live with hazard events. By adjusting their living conditions, people are able to reduce their levels of vulnerability.

Question 5

Define fatalism

Answer 5

A view of a hazard event that suggests that people cannot influence or shape the outcome, therefore nothing can be dine to mitigate against it. They believe the outcome of an event is ‘Gods will’ and don’t put in preventative measures.

Question 6

Define natural hazards

Answer 6

Events which are perceived to be a threat to people, the built environment and the natural environment. They occur in the physical environments of the atmosphere, lithosphere and the hydrosphere.

Question 7

Define perception

Answer 7

The way an individual or a group views the threat of a hazard event. This will determine the course of action taken by individuals or the response they expect from governments and other organisations.

Question 8

Define community preparedness / risk sharing

Answer 8

Prearranged measures that aim to reduce the loss of life and property damage through public education and awareness programmes, evacuation procedures, the provision off emergency medical, food and shelter supplies and the taking out of insurance.

Question 9

Define frequency

Answer 9

The distribution of a hazard through time.

Question 10

Define integrated risk management

Answer 10

The process of considering the social, economic and political factors involved in risk analysis; determining the acceptability of damage/disruption; deciding on the action to be taken to minimise damage/disruption.

Question 11

Define magnitude

Answer 11

The assessment of the size of the impacts of a hazard event.

Question 12

Define prediction

Answer 12

The ability to give warnings so that action can be taken to reduce the impact of hazard events. Improved monitoring, information and communications technology have meant that predicting hazards and issuing warnings have become more important in recent years.

Question 13

Define primary effects

Answer 13

The effects of a hazard event that result directly from that event.

Question 14

Define resilience

Answer 14

The sustained ability of individuals or communities to be able to utilise available resources to respond tom withstand and recover from the effects of natural hazard events.

Question 15

Define secondary effects

Answer 15

The effects that result from the primary impact t of the hazard event.

Question 16

Define protection

Answer 16

The aim to protect people, their possessions and the built environment from the impact of the event. Involves modifications to the built environment such as improved sea walls and earthquake proof buildings.

Question 17

Define prevention

Answer 17

The intention to completely avoid potential adverse impacts of hazardous events.

Question 18

What is radiogenic heat?

Answer 18

The radioactive decay of isotopes.

Question 19

What is lava?

Answer 19

Molten rock flowing onto the surface. Acid lava solidifies very quickly, bust basic lava tends to flows some distance before solidifying.

Question 20

What is the lithosphere?

Answer 20

The layer of the Earth which consists of the crust and the upper section ofthe mantle. It is this layer which is split into a number of tectonic plates.

Question 21

Define an earthquake

Answer 21

As the crust of the earth is constantly moving, there tends to be a slow build up of stress within the rocks. When this pressure is released, parts of the surface experience, for a short period of time, an intense shaking motion. This is an earthquake.

Question 22

What is retrofitting?

Answer 22

In earthquake-prone areas buildings and other structures can be fitted with devices such as shock absorbers and cross-bracing to make them more earthquake proof.

Question 23

Define mitigation?

Answer 23

Mitigation strategy is designed to reduce or eliminate risks to people and property from natural hazards. Money spent prior to a hazardous event to reduce the impact of it can result in substantial savings in life and property following the event.