Storm Hazards Flashcards
Forms of storm hazards
High winds - from 120km/h-300km/h
Storm surge - large rise in sea level caused by high winds pushing water towards coast and low pressure
Heavy rain - warm air rises+ condenses into clouds
Flooding - river discharge increases, coastal flooding due to storm surge
Landslides - infiltration makes soil/rock less stable
Short-term responses to storms
Evacuations from areas at risk, providing emergency food water and shelter
Long term responses to storms
Prevention - storms cannot be prevented but land use planning can avoid high risk areas
Preparedness - train and equip services, evacuation routes planned, education routes planned, education on how to prepare e.g. stockpile, board windows
Adaption - buildings strengthened tko withstand storms e.g. reinforced concrete, secure roofs, stilts to avoid floods, flood defences along rivers e.g. levees and coasts e.g sea walls
Social impacts
Drowning, injuries+deaths by blown debris, houses destroyed, homelessness, power lines damaged, sewage contaminated flood water, disease spread by lack of clean water, damage to agricultural land can lead to food shortages
Economic impacts
Cost of rebuilding, businesses damaged/destroyed and can’t trade, agricultural land damaged affects commercial farming
Economic impacts
Cost of rebuilding, businesses damaged/ destroyed and can’t trade, agricultural land damaged affects commercial farmingv
Political impacts
People may blame authorities for shortages of food water, energy causing conflict and unrest, spending on expensive repairs rather than development
Environmental impacts
Beaches eroded and coastal habitats e.g. coral reefs, mangroves damaged, sediment deposited, pollution e.g. by saltwater, chemical, oil
What are three types of wildfire
Ground fire- ground itself e.g. peat tree roots burn, slow, no flame, little smoke
Surface fire - leaf litter and low lying vegetation burn
Crown fire - moves rapidly through canopy. Intense and fast- moving
Social impacts of wildfires
Deaths and injuries if not evacuated in time, homes destroyed, homelessness, power lines and reservoirs damaged so no electricity or clean water, breathing problems due to smoke inhalation
Economic impacts of wildfire
Destroys businesses, loss of jobs and income, insurance premiums increase, cost of rebuilding is huge, may discourage tourism
Political impacts of wildfire
Governments face criticism of Preparedness and response, may have to change forest management practices
Environmental impacts of wildfires
Habitats destroyed and some species may not return after fire, changing ecosystem, loss of species numbers threatened species survival e.g. koalas, soils damaged, air pollution, water contaminated by Ash, some ecosystems need wildfire to clear dead vegetation and some seeds germinate
Conditions needed for wildfires
Vegetation -thick undergrowth or dense tree cover to travel easily, some e.g. eucalyptus shed bark providing fuel
Fuel - fine, dry material e.g. Long grass burn easily continuous cover helps spread
Climate and weather- sufficient rainfall for vegetation growth for fuel, distinct dry season with long period of low rainfall, warm and dry weather makes veg . more flammable, strong winds provide O2 to help fore burn and spread
Fire behaviour - slowly creeping along ground vs rapid intense spread in corwn, fires can throw debris and jump across gaps in tree cover
Causes of wildfires
Fuel oxygen and heatsource needed
Natural - lightning, volcanic eruptions due to lava, Ash or gas
Human - most started by people. Accidental e.g. cigarettes, campfires, barbecues, fireworks, sharks, Arson (on purpose)
