Paper 1 - The Challenges Of Natural Hazards Flashcards
What is a Natural Event?
A natural event is a force of nature that does not pose a threat to human systems.
What is a Natural Hazard?
A natural event that poses a threat to human systems.
What is a natural disaster? What are the criteria for when a hazard becomes a disaster?
A natural disaster is the situation once a natural hazard has been realised.
For a situation to be classed as a disaster, you need one of the following:
- 10+ people dead
- 100+ affected in some way (injury, made homeless etc.)
- Declared a state of emergency
- Request for help from foreign countries
What factors affect hazard risk?
Factors affecting hazard risk are:
- Poverty
- Urbanisation
- Climate change
- Agriculture
What are the 4 types of plate margin?
The 4 types of plate margin:
- Constructive
- Destructive
- Conservative
- Collision
What are the 2 types of volcano? What are their characteristics?
Composite volcano:
Cone like shape, explosive eruptions with viscous lava and large expulsions of ash. Usually found in destructive plate margins.
Shield volcano:
Flat shape, non explosive eruptions, runny lava and usually formed by constructive plate margins.
What are the 4 methods of reducing the risk of tectonic hazards?
The 4 methods:
- Monitoring
- Prediction
- Protection
- Planning
How can people use monitoring to protect themselves from tectonic hazards?
There is no reliable way to monitor for potential earthquakes, but for volcanoes, there are many warning signs such as gas or ground deformation that can be monitored using high-tech equipment.
How can people use prediction to protect themselves from tectonic hazards?
Prediction of the eruptions of volcanoes is usually based on scientific monitoring. Accurate prediction of earthquakes is nearly impossible, but records can be used to determine the areas most at risk from earthquakes in the near future.
How can people physically protect themselves from tectonic hazards?
Very little can be done to directly protect from volcanic eruptions, but embankments can be built to divert lava away from settlements.
Protection is the main way to defend from earthquakes, from building flexible foundations, shock absorbers or steel shutters over windows to reduce as much damage as possible.
How can people use planning to protect themselves from tectonic hazards?
Hazard maps can show the areas most at risk from volcanoes or earthquakes so fragile or valuable buildings (such as homes) are not built in those areas.
