tectonics

Question 1

disaster risk management

Answer 1

1. resist occurence
   - designing hazard-resistant buildings to ensure structures that can withstand hazards and do not collapse easily
   - eg. Taipei 101 w/ weighted damper
2. adapt to occurence
   - early warning systems to allow for evacuations –> reduce disaster risk
3. recover
   - insurance to rebuild properties

Question 2

how does disaster risk affect environment, society, and economy ?

Answer 2

1. envi
   - debris from landslide bury forest and wetland –> destroy wildlife and habitat –> loss of biodiversity
2. social
   - hit by fast-moving debris / drown –> injured / loss of life
   - homes destroyed by debris –> displaced and homeless –> forced to live in temp housing w poor sanitation / conditions
   - psychological trauma –> detrimental to mental wellbeing
3. economic
   - destruction of home and properties –> financial suffer as need to repair

Question 3

how does disaster risk lead to disproportionate effect ?

Answer 3

• hinder development
• lack resources / expertise to resist, adapt and recover efficiently
• eg. Haiti eq 2010, M7, 200000 deaths, lack finance to invest
• Tohuku eq 2011, M9, 19000 deaths as more eq resistant buildings, resources to recover

Question 4

how does nature of hazard of EQ affect disaster risk

Answer 4

1. time of shaking
2. duration of shaking

Question 5

how does vulnerable conditions affect disaster risk by EQ

Answer 5

1. quality of building design and construction
2. soil and rock properties

Question 6

how does exposure affect disaster risk by EQ

Answer 6

1. pop density
   - higher risk of people being trapped n buildings –> loss of lives
   - eg KOBE JAPAN 1995, densely populated –> although M6, injured 40,000 people
2. distance from epicentre
   - less energy absorbed, stronger seismic waves, violent shaking, buildings and bridges collapse
   - eg. port-au-prince HAITI EQ, only 25km away from epicentre, 200000 deaths

Question 7

how does nature of hazard affect disaster risk by volcanic eruptions ?

Answer 7

1. low silica magma
   - less viscous –> gentle effusive eruption
   - rarely kills as can avoid lava flow
2. high silica magma
   - more viscous –> explosive eruption
   - destructive pyroclastic flows –> damage to infra / people

Question 8

how does vulnerable conditions affect disaster risk by volcanic eruptions ?

Answer 8

1. availability of water
   - inc likelihood of LAHARS –> bury and destroy properties –> increase likelihood of injuries and loss of lives
   - eg. melting of snow and ice on volcano / existing rivers
2. prevailing wind
   - ashfall and tephra carried to human sites by wind –> health and respiratory problems / damage of properties by accumulated ash

Question 9

how does exposure affect disaster risk by volcanic eruptions ?

Answer 9

• presence of humans near volc –> inc risk of being affected by eruptions

Question 10

what are some strategies to reduce vulnerability to tectonic hazards ?

Answer 10

1. hazard-resistant designs
   - shock absorbers and dampers –> wont sway too much
2. monitoring and warning systems
   - evacuate early and reduce damage
   - eg. EEW EQ EARLY WARNING

Question 10

what are some strategies to reduce exposure to tectonic hazards

Answer 10

1. land use planning
   - identify areas of high risk –> minimise development there
   - reduces potential loss of lives and damage to properties
   - eg. Japan build houses on higher ground, so when tohuku 2011 eq struck followed by tsunami, houses not affected.