Managing the Impact of Tectonic Hazards

Question 1

what are tectonic hazards

Answer 1

hazards caused by movement of tectonic plates

earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis

Question 2

what management strategies can reduce the impacts of tectonic hazards

Answer 2

prediction, building techniques, planning and education

Question 3

how can earthquakes be predicted?

Answer 3

they can’t but there can be clues e.g. small tremors, cracks appearing in rocks and strange animal behaviour

Question 4

what do earthquake warning systems detect?

Answer 4

p waves, but only after an earthquake has begun, travel fastest but cause less damage so can be used as a warning for stronger tremors

Question 5

can we predict where an earthquake might happen

Answer 5

yes, possible to predict where an earthquake may happen using data from past earthquakes - such places can then prepare themselves

Question 6

how can volcanoes be predicted

Answer 6

can roughly predict when volcanic eruption will happen through tiny earthquakes and changes in shape of the volcano, often means an eruption is likely

Question 7

what are some of the problems faced when people know a volcano may erupt

Answer 7

• can’t always get everyone evacuated in time

- not everyone wants to go, people don’t want to abandon homes and don’t believe eruption will happen

Question 8

how can tsunamis be predicted

Answer 8

tsunami warning systems rely on earthquake detection systems

if an earthquake occurs in a place that’s likely to cause a tsunami then a warning is issued (under the sea)

Question 9

how can building techniques reduce the effects of an earthquake

Answer 9

• buildings designed to withstand earthquakes (e.g. by using strong materials like reinforced concrete or building special foundations that absorb earthquakes energy)
• construction laws in some earthquake prone countries have become stricter - newer buildings are more likely to be able to withstand earthquakes

Question 10

how can building techniques reduce the effects of a volcano

Answer 10

can’t be built to withstand lava flow but can be strengthened so they’re less likely to collapse from weight of falling ash

Question 11

how can lava be deterred from settlements

Answer 11

use barriers to divert lava away from settlements

e.g. Etna erupted in Italy, a rubble barrier 10m high and 400m long successfully diverted lava flow

Question 12

how can building techniques reduce the effects of a tsunami

Answer 12

buildings designed with raised, open foundations and made of strong materials such as concrete are less likely to be damaged by force of water
-tsunami walls can be built around settlements

Question 13

what are other ways that the impacts can be managed?

Answer 13

• future developments are built to avoid areas most at risk
• emergency services train and prepare for disasters
• governments plan evacuation routes
• can educate people about what to do in a disaster, how to evacuate

Question 14

what 3 factors can increase the severity of the impacts

Answer 14

• development level of a country
• population
• timing

Question 15

how does the development level of a country effect the severity of the impact of tectonic hazards

Answer 15

• impacts are higher in LEDCs - don’t have money for disaster preparation or response
• LEDCs have poorer buildings and quality, easily damaged
• bad healthcare, struggle to treat large numbers of casualties
• economic impact is fairly large in MEDCs as buildings destroyed are worth a lot of money

Question 16

how does population effect the severity of the impact of tectonic hazards

Answer 16

• more people means more people effected
• densely populated areas have a lot of buildings, collapsing buildings pose a big threat (to life)
• difficult to evacuate a large number of people, routes are often limited

Question 17

how does timing effect the severity of the impact of tectonic hazards

Answer 17

• if something occurs in middle of night, most people will be asleep so don’t get out of buildings as quick, more hurt
• if something occurs in winter, people could freeze to death before being rescued