Tectonic Hazzards Flashcards
What are some social reasons for the continuation of people living in tectonically hazardous areas?
•engineering can make people feel safer in richer parts of the world e.g. buildings can be made earthquake proof
•some settlements have grown into enormous cities and would be hard to move anywhere else
•People in Mount Merpai, Indonesia worship ancient spirits believing they will warn them of an eruption. On a full moon they throw items at the volcano to carter evil spirits
What are some enviornmental reasons for the continuation of people living in tectonically hazardous areas?
•the world’s best coffee is grown on volcanic soil in Columbia
•volcanic soils are fertile as the weathering of volcanic rock releases potassium into the soil which is essential for plant growth e.g. Italy has oranges and lemons growing in Mount Vesuvius
•Besalt is found in volcanic areas and can be used in construction to build roads
What are some economic reasons for the continuation of people living in tectonically hazardous areas?
•large settlements in seismic zones offer job opportunities such as San Francisco which is in a bay area with a GDP of $535 billion and ranks 19th in the world for national economics
•poor people especially in LICs cannot afford to live away from volcanoes as they provide jobs and family and friends live there
• In Iceland they provide cheap geothermal power (28% of all it’s energy)
How can we monitor earthquakes?
•seismometers monitor earth tremors.
•we can use radon gas checkers- if there are higher gas levels this might suggest and earthquake
•laser beams can detect plate movement
How can we protect ourselves from earthquakes?
•Dampers in roofs- they can act as a pendulum to counteract shaking of buildings
•lightweight breeze blocks- cheap ways of preventing damage to buildings
•shock absorbers can be built in to prevent shaking
How can people plan for earthquakes?
•drills can be practised in schools and work places so people know what do in the event of an earthquake
•people can keep emergency kits at home containing water,food, a torch and radio
•emergency services can practice rescuing in drills
•TV’s and radios can broadcast warnings
How do we monitor volcanoes?
•scientists can monitor the tell-tale signs that come before and eruption such as tiny earthquakes escaping gas and changes in a volcanoe’s shape e.g swelling
How do we predict volcanoes?
Through monitoring them closely
How can we protect ourselves from volcanoes?
•buildings can be strengthened so they are less likely to collapse under the weight of ash
•trenches and barriers have been used to try and divert lava away from settlements but with minimal success
How can we plan for volcanoes?
•people can be educated so they know what to do in the event of a hazzard
•emergency supplies can be stockpiled
