Tectonic Hazards 1.4-1.6

Question 1

Disaster definition

Answer 1

A serious disruption of the function of a community involving widespread human, materialistic, economic or environmental losses and impacts which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope with its own resources

Question 2

Vulnerability

Answer 2

The ability to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from a natural hazard

Question 3

Resilience

Answer 3

Aka capacity to cope

The ability of a community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb and recover from the effects of a hazard.

Question 4

Deggs model

Answer 4

Question 5

Risk equation

Answer 5

Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability / Capacity to cope

Question 6

Political factors affecting risk

Answer 6

Corruption
Evacuation contingency plans
Building regulations
Funding of emergency services
Other infrastructure 
Communications with other countries

Question 7

Economic and social factors affecting risk

Answer 7

Population density
Wealth of inhabitants
Deprivation
Health care services
Public education

Question 8

Physical and environmental factors affecting risk

Answer 8

Location (near hazards)
Prevention measures against damage on buildings
Urbanisation

Question 9

5 key factors is the complex relationship between risk, hazards and people

Answer 9

1 Unpredictability
2 Lack of alternatives
3 Dynamic Hazards
4 Cost-benefit of staying put
5 Russian Roulette reaction

Question 10

3 reasons why disasters don’t just happen, they are caused

Answer 10

Prevention - the can (sometimes ) be prevented
Hazard Dependent - some floods can be caused by human activity
Preparation - disasters can be avoided with good enough contingency plans

Question 11

Risk - Unpredictability

Answer 11

It catches people and governments out

Question 12

Risk - Lack of alternatives

Answer 12

There is no other choice

Land is cheaper in hazardous areas

Question 13

Risk - Dynamic hazards

Answer 13

The threat is not constant

For example, Hurricane season is only June-August

Question 14

Risk - Cost-benefit of staying put

Answer 14

Some may decide that the benefit outweighs the risk

For example, volcanoes make soil more fertile so business more lucrative - and they are unlikely to erupt often

Question 15

Risk - Russian Roulette

Answer 15

There is an acceptance of risk but it is seen as unlikely

There may be a warped perception of risk

Question 16

Why does age have an impact on a community’s resilience?

Answer 16

There is physical decline with ageing
There is a lack of adequate service provision before and after emergencies - not enough workers and old people cannot access the services themselves
There are higher poverty levels among older people

Question 17

Predicted problem of ageing

Answer 17

By 2050, 79% of the world’s population aged 60+ will live in less developed regions

Question 18

3 parts to the Hazard Index

Answer 18

A hazard and exposure dimension
A vulnerability dimension
A capacity dimension

Question 19

PAR Background

Answer 19

Pressure - comes from people, their vulnerability, the potential physical hazard
Release - identifying ways to reduce the pressure and therefore reduce vulnerability

Question 20

Root Cause PAR

Answer 20

Limited access to
Power
Structures
Resources

Ideologies of
Political or economic systems

Question 21

Dynamic Pressures PAR

Answer 21

Lack of 
Training
Local investment
Press freedom PLUS
-rapid population change
-rapid urbanisation
-deforestation

Question 22

Unsafe Conditions PAR

Answer 22

Physical environment
Local economy
Social relations
Public actions

Question 23

Haiti 2010 Root Causes

Answer 23

Haiti’s debt to Germany and France - money not spent on infrastructure but repayments
Extensive corruption in govt
80% below poverty line of

Question 24

Haiti 2010 Dynamic Pressures

Answer 24

Lack of
Urban planning, preparation, disaster management
Effective education PLUS
High pop density at 306/km2
Rapid urbanisation, slumlike housing
Deforestation due to sugar plantations
Soil degradation = inc. risk of landslides

Question 25

Haiti 2010 unsafe conditions

Answer 25

Soft soil amplified seismic waves
Illegal housing on hillsides
Low GDP/capita of $1300 meant poor quality buildings
Poor infrastructure - limited access to services

Question 26

Haiti before 2010 - % access to safe water and sanitation

Answer 26

39% had access to safe water

24% had access to sanitation

Question 27

Haiti before 2010 population density

Answer 27

306/km2

Question 28

Haiti before 2010 GDP per capita

Answer 28

$1300 (low)

Question 29

Haiti before 2010 % below poverty line

Answer 29

80% on less than $2 a day