Paper 1: Hazards Flashcards
What is a Higher Income Country (HIC)?
A country with a GNI per capita of more than $14,005 in 2023.
What is a Lower Income Country (LIC)?
A country with a GNI per capita of $1,146 in 2023.
What are Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs)?
Countries experiencing higher rates of economic development and industrialization, differing from LICs by not relying primarily on agriculture.
Examples include Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria.
What is hazard risk?
The probability or chance that a natural hazard may take place.
What is a natural hazard?
A natural event (e.g., earthquake, volcanic eruption, tropical storm, flood) that threatens people or has the potential to cause damage, destruction, and death.
What is a conservative plate margin?
A boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other.
What is a constructive plate margin?
A boundary where rising magma adds new material to plates that are diverging or moving apart.
What is a destructive plate margin?
A boundary where two plates are converging, and the oceanic plate is subducted, associated with violent earthquakes and explosive volcanoes.
What is an earthquake?
Sesimic waves created by a build up and release of pressure when the rough edges of plates become unstuck
What are immediate responses?
The reaction of people as the disaster happens and in the immediate aftermath.
What are long-term responses?
Later reactions that occur in the weeks, months, and years after the event.
What is monitoring in the context of natural hazards?
Recording physical changes, such as earthquake tremors around a volcano, to help forecast when and where a natural hazard might strike.
What is a plate margin?
The margin (or boundary) between two tectonic plates.
What is planning regarding natural disasters?
Actions taken to enable communities to respond to, and recover from, natural disasters through measures such as emergency evacuation plans, information management, communications, and warning systems.
What is prediction in the context of natural hazards?
Attempts to forecast when and where a natural hazard will strike, based on current knowledge.
What are primary effects of a natural event?
The initial impact of a natural event on people and property, caused directly by it.
What is protection in relation to natural hazards?
Actions taken before a hazard strikes to reduce its impact, such as educating people or improving building design.
What are secondary effects of a natural event?
The after-effects that occur as indirect impacts of a natural event, sometimes on a longer timescale.
What is a tectonic hazard?
A natural hazard caused by the movement of tectonic plates, including volcanoes and earthquakes.
What is a tectonic plate?
A rigid segment of the Earth’s crust which moves across the heavier, semi-molten rock below.
What is a volcano?
An opening in the Earth’s crust from which lava, ash, and gases erupt.
What is economic impact?
The effect of an event on the wealth of an area or community.
What is environmental impact?
The effect of an event on the landscape and ecology of the surrounding area.
What is extreme weather?
When a weather event is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern, and is especially severe or unseasonal.
What is global atmospheric circulation?
The worldwide system of winds, which transports heat from tropical to polar latitudes.
What are management strategies?
Techniques of controlling, responding to, or dealing with an event.
What is social impact?
The effect of an event on the lives of people or community.
What is a tropical storm?
An area of low pressure with winds moving in a spiral around the calm central point called the eye of the storm.
What is adaptation in relation to natural events?
Actions taken to adjust to natural events such as climate change, to reduce potential damage, limit the impacts, take advantage of opportunities, or cope with the consequences.
What is climate change?
A long-term change in the Earth’s average temperature and weather patterns.
What is mitigation?
Action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards.
What are orbital changes?
Changes in the pathway of the Earth around the Sun. When the earth roates closer to the sun the planet warms up; and when it takes a longer orbit the planet cools down. It is a natural cuase of climate change
What is the Quaternary period?
The period of geological time from about 2.6 million years ago to the present, characterized by the appearance and development of humans.
How can volcanoes the climate to change naturally?
When a volcano erupts alot of gas, the additional C)2 can cntribute to the greenhouse effect. When it erupts alot of ash, the sun is blocked out causing the panet to cool
Q: Where and when did Typhoon Haiyan strike?
A: Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on 8th November 2013, especially affecting the city of Tacloban on the island of Leyte.
Q: What category was Typhoon Haiyan when it made landfall?
A: It was a Category 5 super typhoon—the strongest category—with wind speeds of up to 314 km/h (195 mph).
Q: Why is the Philippines vulnerable to tropical storms?
A: It’s located in the tropical storm belt (between 5 and 20 degrees latitude north and south of the equator) of the Pacific Ocean, has low-lying coastal areas, and many people live in poorly built housing
Q: What caused Typhoon Haiyan to be so intense?
A: Warm sea temperatures (over 27°C) and low air pressure created ideal conditions for the rapid development of a powerful storm.
What is a storm surge and how high was it in Tacloban?
A: A storm surge is a rise in sea level caused by the storm’s winds; it reached up to 5 metres in Tacloban, flooding coastal areas.
Q: How many people were killed by Typhoon Haiyan?
A: Approximately 6,300 people died, mostly due to drowning in the storm surge
Q: How many people were displaced by the typhoon?
A: Over 600,000 people were forced to leave their homes.
Q: What happened to homes and buildings in Tacloban?
A: Around 40,000 homes were destroyed, with widespread damage to infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals.
Q: What happened to the food supply?
A: Crops were destroyed, and 30,000 fishing boats were damaged, leading to food shortages and loss of livelihoods.
Q: What secondary health impacts occurred?
A: There were outbreaks of disease such as typhoid and cholera due to lack of clean water, sanitation, and medical care
Q: How did the storm affect the economy?
A: Livelihoods were lost, particularly in farming and fishing, and Tacloban’s airport was severely damaged, limiting aid and trade.
Q: How did people respond socially after the storm?
A: There was looting and violence in some areas due to desperation for food and supplies
Q: What immediate aid was provided?
A: The UK sent shelter kits for 800,000 people and international aid agencies provided food, water, and medical support.
Q: What local measures were taken right after the storm?
A: Over 1,200 evacuation centres were set up, and emergency rescue operations took place from organisations such as the Red Cross and MSF
Q: What were the long-term responses to Typhoon Haiyan?
A: The government launched a ‘Build Back Better’ plan to improve buildings, build a new storm surge warning system, and ban construction in high-risk areas.
Q: When and where did the Nepal earthquake occur?
A: On 25th April 2015, in central Nepal, with its epicentre near Gorkha, northwest of the capital Kathmandu.
Q: What was the magnitude of the earthquake?
A: It measured 7.8 on the Richter scale
Q: Why is Nepal vulnerable to earthquakes?
A: Nepal lies on a destructive plate boundary, where the Indian Plate is being forced under the Eurasian Plate, causing seismic activity.
Q: What type of plate boundary caused the earthquake?
A: A collision (convergent) boundary, between the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Q: Why did the earthquake cause so much damage?
A: Poor building construction, steep slopes, and high population density made Nepal highly vulnerable to damage and landslides
Q: How many people were killed and injured?
A: Around 9,000 people died and 22,000 were injured.
Q: How many people were made homeless?
A: Over 3 million people were left homeless.
Q: What happened to buildings and infrastructure?
A: Around 700,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, along with hospitals, schools, and the historic Dharahara Tower in Kathmandu
Q: How was communication and transport affected?
A: Roads were blocked by landslides, and power and water supplies were disrupted in many areas.
Q: What caused further destruction after the quake?
A: Landslides and avalanches, especially in rural mountainous regions like Langtang and Mount Everest.
Q: How did tourism suffer as a result?
A: Nepal’s tourism industry (key to the economy) declined sharply due to damaged infrastructure and fear of aftershocks
Q: What were some economic effects of the earthquake?
A: Estimated cost was over $5 billion, with huge impacts on agriculture, trade, and tourism
Q: What immediate aid was provided?
A: International aid came quickly—India, China, and the UK sent search and rescue teams, medical aid, and helicopters
Q: What emergency shelter was provided?
A: Half a million tents were distributed, and field hospitals were set up to treat the injured.
Q: What were the long-term responses to the earthquake?
A: Nepal received $274 million in aid from the UN, began rebuilding with improved building codes, and expanded education on earthquake preparedness
Q: When and where did the Chile earthquake happen?
A: On 27th February 2010, off the coast of central Chile, near the city of Concepción.
Q: What was the magnitude of the Chile earthquake?
A: It measured 8.8 on the Richter scale—one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded
Q: What type of country is Chile economically?
A: Chile is a high-income country (HIC) with good infrastructure and emergency services
Q: What type of plate boundary caused the Chile earthquake?
A: A destructive plate boundary, where the Nazca Plate is subducting beneath the South American Plate
Q: What additional natural hazard did the earthquake trigger?
A: A tsunami, with waves affecting Chile and crossing the Pacific Ocean.
Q: How many people were killed and injured?
A: Around 500 people died and 12,000 were injured
Q: How many homes were affected?
A: Over 220,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.
Q: What happened to infrastructure like roads and power?
A: Roads, bridges, and power supplies were severely damaged, with many areas losing electricity and water.
Q: What happened to public buildings and services?
A: Hospitals, schools, and airports were damaged, disrupting essential services
Q: What was the economic cost of the earthquake?
A: Estimated at around $30 billion, affecting industry and transport
Q: How did the earthquake affect coastal areas?
A: Some coastal towns were devastated by the tsunami and flooded by seawater
Q: What impact did it have on Chile’s economy?
A: Exports like copper were temporarily disrupted, but the economy recovered quickly due to Chile’s strong financial systems.
Q: What emergency aid was provided by the government?
A: Emergency services acted quickly, and the government declared a state of emergency to speed up aid and rescue
Q: How was infrastructure restored so quickly?
A: Temporary repairs to major roads allowed aid to reach affected areas within 24 hours
Q: What were the long-term recovery plans?
A: Chile launched a national housing reconstruction plan for 200,000 homes and planned to fully recover within 4 years without relying heavily on international aid.
Q: How did the causes of the Chile and Nepal earthquakes differ?
A: Chile’s earthquake was at a destructive (subduction) plate boundary (Nazca and South American Plates), while Nepal’s was at a collision boundary (Indian and Eurasian Plates).
Q: How did the magnitude of the two earthquakes compare?
A: Chile’s quake was 8.8 (stronger), while Nepal’s was 7.8, but Nepal suffered more damage due to its lower level of development
Q: Which earthquake caused more deaths and injuries?
A: Nepal had around 9,000 deaths, compared to 500 in Chile, despite Chile’s quake being stronger—showing the importance of building quality and emergency response
Q: Which country had more homes destroyed?
A: Nepal saw around 700,000 homes damaged, compared to 220,000 in Chile—again highlighting vulnerability in LICs
Q: How did the secondary effects differ between Chile and Nepal?
A: Nepal suffered landslides and avalanches (e.g. Mount Everest), while Chile experienced tsunami waves and economic disruption.
Q: Which country was better prepared for immediate response?
A: Chile, an HIC, responded within 24 hours with emergency repairs and good infrastructure, while Nepal relied heavily on international aid
Q: How did long-term responses differ between Chile and Nepal?
A: Chile launched a housing reconstruction plan and recovered in under 4 years using its own resources, whereas Nepal needed international funding and took longer to rebuild
Q: What do these two earthquakes show about the impact of development level?
A: Earthquakes in LICs like Nepal often cause more deaths and destruction due to weaker infrastructure and slower responses, while HICs like Chile can manage impacts more effectively.
Q: What was Storm Desmond and when did it occur?
A: Storm Desmond was an extreme weather event that brought record-breaking rainfall and flooding to parts of the UK, especially Cumbria, in December 2015.
Q: How is climate change linked to events like Storm Desmond?
A: Climate change increases sea temperatures and atmospheric moisture, leading to more intense and frequent storms and rainfall events, like Storm Desmond
Q: How does global warming affect rainfall patterns in the UK?
A: Warmer air holds more moisture, increasing the likelihood of prolonged, heavy rainfall, raising the risk of flash floods and river flooding
Q: What areas of the UK were worst affected by Storm Desmond?
A: Cumbria, especially Carlisle, Appleby, and Keswick, experienced the most severe flooding and damage
Q: What were the social impacts of Storm Desmond?
A: Over 5,000 homes were flooded, families were displaced, and many people lost access to power, water, and transport for several days
Q: What were the economic impacts of Storm Desmond?
A: It caused around £1.3 billion in damages, including damage to homes, businesses, bridges, roads, and railways
Q: What were the environmental impacts of the storm?
A: Floodwaters caused erosion, landslides, and pollution in rivers from sewage and chemicals, damaging habitats
Q: What happened to the Honister Pass in Cumbria during the storm?
A: It received 341 mm of rain in 24 hours, setting a UK rainfall record at the time
Q: What were some of the emergency responses to Storm Desmond?
A: Emergency services evacuated people, the army was deployed, and temporary shelters were set up for displaced residents
Q: How did local communities respond during the storm?
A: Community centres opened, volunteers provided food and support, and local charitiesand builders with heavy plant equipment (eg, diggers) helped with clean-up efforts
Q: What was done to prevent future flooding after Storm Desmond?
A: The UK government invested £45 million into improved flood defences, especially around Carlisle and the River Eden.
Q: What lessons were learned after Storm Desmond?
A: The need for better forecasting, resilient infrastructure, and greater focus on natural flood management like restoring wetlands and planting trees
Q: How is climate change affecting UK weather?
A: Climate change is making the UK’s weather more extreme and unpredictable, with wetter winters, hotter, drier summers, and more frequent storms and floods
Q: What is extreme weather?
A: Extreme weather includes unusual, severe, or unseasonal conditions such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, storms, snowfalls, and droughts.
How has the pattern of extreme weather changed since records beagin in 1884?
Since 1884, all of the UK’s ten hottest years have occurred since 2002, however the pattern is less clear for strom patterns, with 3 of the strongest storms happening before 2000
Q: What was the UK’s hottest day on record?
A: On 19th July 2022, the UK recorded a temperature of 40.3°C for the first time, at Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
Q: How are rainfall patterns changing in the UK?
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A: The UK is experiencing more intense and prolonged rainfall, especially in winter, increasing the risk of river and flash flooding
Q: How does climate change cause extreme weather?
A: Rising global temperatures lead to more energy in the atmosphere, causing heavier rainfall, stronger storms, heatwaves, and shifting weather patterns
Q: Why is understanding changing weather important for the UK?
A: It helps with preparation, planning, and adaptation—like building better flood defences, managing water supplies, and protecting health during heatwaves
