Prediciton, Mapping, Preparedness etc.

Question 1

Earthquake prevention

Answer 1

• majority of seismic hazards can not be prevented - EQs + tsunamis will occur regardless
• liquefaction of soils can be prevent through soil stabilisation (gravel columns can be put in the ground)
• avalanches can be prevented through controlled explosions

Question 2

Earthquake preparedness

Answer 2

• earthquake prone areas (e.g. Japan) have extensive awareness strategies + education in place
• 87% of buildings in Tokyo are built to be ‘earthquake proof’ = built to withstand huge tremors through deep foundations, strong + flexible frames, gas shut off system to prevent gas leaks + fires
• earthquake warning systems + tsunami warning systems after an earthquake = alerts sent to every smartphone in Japan + widely broadcasted on tv
• evacuation plans + training = many people have EQ survival kits in their homes e.g. first aid, bottled water, survival tools etc.
• large sea walls constructed along coast to attempt to block tsunami waves from reaching inland

Question 3

Earthquake prediction

Answer 3

• almost impossible to be predicted = currently no sound technology
• in Japan there is technology that can predict the areas where an earthquake will hit
• buoys in the ocean detect offshore earthquakes + predict the areas most at risk —> sends alerts to those areas that EQ is incoming + should seek immediate cover
• tsunamis can be predicted quickly in Japan using data from the magnitude + location of the earthquake = prioritising areas of evacuation
• tsunami prediction is thought to be 80% to 90% accurate at predicting the level of damage in an area

Question 4

Volcanic eruption prevention

Answer 4

• can not be prevented
• only the risk to people can be prevented by not allowing people near volcanic hazards e.g. preventing building around volcanoes

Question 5

Volcanic eruption preparedness

Answer 5

• monitoring increases the notice of volcanic eruptions, meaning warnings can be given out
• education on volcanoes in areas of risk so people know what to do in case of eruption
• evacuation procedures planned
• training response team

Question 6

Volcanic eruption mitigation

Answer 6

• direct intervention to the volcano e.g. concrete blocks to steer lava away from areas of risk
• strengthening buildings that are at risk of mudflow or ash pileup
• evacuation + exclusion zones
• mitigating effects on health by having emergency aid + rescue

Question 7

Earthquake mitigation

Answer 7

• search + rescue, immediate emergency aid, evacuation (short term)
• demolishing older, unsafe buildings
• tsunami wave breaks + sea walls

Question 8

Adaption to volcanic hazards

Answer 8

• move away from area at risk
• capitalise on opportunities e.g. tourism

Question 9

Adaption to earthquake

Answer 9

• move away from area at risk
• capitalise on opportunities e.g. tourism
• insurance if living in place of risk
• building specially designed ‘earthquake proof’ buildings

Question 10

What’s the Park’s model?

Answer 10

• used to show the recovery of hazard events at different stages
• a shallow drop in the curve followed by a quick response implies the disaster had a relatively small impact on quality of life + only needed a short response phase = possibly more developed country or small disaster
• a steep drop shows a disaster with a major impact on quality of life + slow reconstruction phase = recovery is slow + still not returned to predisaster levels