Los Angeles as a multi hazard

Question 1

Earthquakes

1) Improvements as a result

Answer 1

- LA is situated on heavily faulted area
Most recent in 1994:
- 60 deaths- building collapse
- Collapse of infrastructure
- 3 million without electricity 
1) Improvements in mapping y technology
- Residents in permanent state of readiness
- Large buildings have emergency plans
- Change in perception, hazards are unavoidable while disasters are

Question 2

Air pollution and smog

Answer 2

• La is famous for ‘car culture’
• Now emission controls on vehicle exhausts
• Smog happens when cool sea air meets warmer city air
• 220 days a year classed as ‘unhealthy’ or above due to smog

Question 3

Landslides and mudflows

Answer 3

• Steep unstable cliffs
• Moisture from pools and sprinklers damage rock minerals
• Lack of vegetation - roots

Question 4

Brush fires

Answer 4

• By autumn all vegetation is tinder dry
• 1000 homes destroyed in 1993
• Houses required to have 10m brush clearance zone