Managing Tectonic Hazards (hazards) Flashcards
what tectonic hazards are there to manage?
tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions
how can you manage tsunami’s?
modify the event, modify the vulnerability, modify the loss, technology, public education
how can you manage earthquakes?
modify the vulnerability, modify the loss, technology, public education
how can you manage volcanic eruptions?
modify the event, modify the vulnerability, modify the loss, technology, public education
which hazardous event CANNOT be modified?
earthquakes
how can you modify a tsunami event?
install coastal defences, building designs, positioning infrastructure onshore
coastal defences
install coastal defences and effective engineering to prevent the full extent of the tsunami from being felt in populated areas. if the brunt of the hazard can hit before it reaches landfall, then this will save lives and give people additional time to move to safer and higher ground.
building designs
building designs aim to resist the passage of the waves, for example by open ground floors that allow the wave to pass through the concrete piles.
positioning infrastructure onshore
positioning the infrastructure on shore in such a way that will lessen the impact of the tsunami wave should one arrive at shore.
how can you modify vulnerability to tsunami’s?
effective planning and communication, ensuring evacuation routes are not blocked, ensuring maps are clear, the role of education, evacuation shelters and physical monitoring
effective planning and communication
effective planning and communication that also caters to tourists, e.g. having evacuation route maps in Thai and English so that in the event of a tsunami, both locals and tourists know what to do.
ensuring evacuation routes are not blocked
if an obstacle exists in the route, then this could prevent people from being able to move to higher ground to avoid the hit of the tsunami.
ensuring maps are clear
ensuring maps are clear and not subject to vandalism. if a map is covered in graffiti, it will be hard for people to read and understand the instructions, thus putting them at risk.
the role of education
people using what they have learnt, for example in schools, to identify warning signs and inform others about the risks. for example, Tilly Smith used her knowledge of tsunami warning signs from her geography lesson to save over 100 lives in an Asian tsunami in 2004.
evacuation shelters and physical monitoring
installing watch towers and communication masts allowing for people to physically monitor to identify whether or not a tsunami is likely to make landfall. if people have to evacuate, having adequate shelter for evacuees.
how can you modify the loss of tsunami’s?
ensuring roads are clear,instant relief, donated resources, insurance
ensuring roads are clear
ensuring that roads are clear from debris to allow fr emergency service and relief vehicles to move into the area. of a road is blocked, aid arriving by car/truck could become blocked and will not reach its destination.
instant relief
instant relief to the worst affected areas with resources such as water, food, medicine and temporary shelter.
donated resources
for example aid packages by foreign governments or UN/NATO relief - to provide aid to people on the ground. urgent funds to rebuild schools, housing and hospitals in affected regions.
insurance
insurance for buildings and businesses so that people do not have to brunt the cost.
how is technology used in managing tsunami’s?
Indian Ocean Warning System, communication networks and emergency signals, project THRUST (Tsunami Reduction Utilising Systems Technology).
Indian Ocean Warning System
this allows for results of seismic activity to be relayed continuously so that evacuation can begin if necessary. downside of this is that it relies on communication networks that can sometimes be faulty or laggy, thus reducing the accuracy and efficiency of the system. reception is patchy.
communication networks and emergency signals
allows for communication between watch towers, experts off-site and between emergency services. in a hazard event however, they may be damaged leading to an inability for digital communications to take place.
project THRUST
its a cheap, regional level technology based upon rapid warning by satellite communication links. has been trialled in Chile.
how is public education used in managing tsunami’s?
people using what they have been taught - either in work, at school, or on their own, to identify and respond to the tsunami hazard event. for example, being taught the warning signs of a tsunami (retreating shoreline, more exposed beach etc) might mean that you can warn others to move to higher ground, thus saving lives of those who are living or are located coast side.
how can you modify an earthquake event?
it is not possible to modify the event for an earthquake hazard event. nothing can be done; it is down to modifying the vulnerability and loss.
how can you modify vulnerability to an earthquake?
preparation, earthquake-proof buildings, produce hazard zone maps
preparation
“The Great Shakeout” is a preparation drill for earthquakes that is carried out each year in California. it is copied in many countries and is an example of effective preparation for an earthquake event. it depicts the worst-case scenario of the event occurring and the ways in which personal preparedness should be approached, for example through having first aid kits, bottled water, an emergency plan and insurance.
earthquake-proof buildings
building infrastructure with the possibility of a hazard event in mind. such features include open areas for evacuations; automatic shutters to prevent pedestrians from being showered with glass; reinforced latticework foundations deep within bedrock; an interlocking steel frame.
produce hazard zone maps
produce hazard zone maps which depict where in an area the strongest earthquakes are likely to occur. gives people prior warning of areas perhaps to avoid. helps areas with the level of risk and therefore level of preparedness to take.
How can you modify the loss from earthquakes?
Rapid emergency aid, disaster response teams, search and rescue, resources
Rapid emergency aid
Such as bottled water, medical supplies, tents and food packs provided by NGO’s, charities and international governments in relief efforts.
Disaster response teams
For example Red Cross - with helicopters and machinery as well as local emergency services to search for people who are trapped under debris
Search and rescue
Having efficient search and rescue strategies in place.
Resources
Perhaps physical or economic - for rebuilding critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and grants for residents to rebuild homes
How is technology used in managing earthquake’s?
