Natural Hazards Flashcards
Hazard risk
The probability or chance that a hazard may take place.
Conservative plate margin
Tectonic plate margin where two tectonic plates slide past each other.
Constructive plate margin
Tectonic plate margin where rising magma adds new material to plates that are moving apart.
Destructive plate margin
Tectonic plate margin where two plates are coming together and oceanic plate is subducted.
Earthquake
A sudden or violent movement within the earth’s crust followed by a series of shocks.
Primary effects
The initial impact of a natural event on people and property caused directly by it.
Secondary effects
The after-effects that occur as indirect impacts of a natural event, sometimes on a longer timescale.
Tectonic plate
A rigid segment of the earths crust that can float on the heavier, semi-molten rock below.
Global atmospheric circulation
The worldwide system of winds, which transports heat from tropical to polar latitudes.
Immediate responses
The reaction of people as the disaster happens and in the immediate aftermath.
Long-term responses
Later reactions that occur in the weeks, months and years after the event.
Tropical storm
An area of low pressure with winds moving in a spiral around the calm central point called the eye. Winds are powerful and rainfall is heavy.
Adaptation
Actions taken to adjust to natural events such as climate change.
Climate change
A long-term change in the earths climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature.
Mitigation
Action taken to reduce the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards.
