Tectonics EQ2

Question 1

Define “RISK “

Answer 1

The exposure of people to a hazardous event which may present a potential threat to people or their possessions.

Question 2

What is the Ritcher scale?

Answer 2

A base 10 logarithmic scale E.g a 5.0 mag earthquake is 10x bigger than a 4.0

Calculated by the amplitude of the waves

Question 2

Define “Vulnerability “

Answer 2

The varying ability to anticapate, cope , resist and recover from a natural hazard.

Question 2

Factors that cause vulnerability to disasters:

Answer 2

• Physical/Enviromental
• Economic
• Social
• Political

Question 3

Define “Resilience “

Answer 3

The varying ability to protect lives and infrastructure from destruction and to restore areas after a tectonic hazard has occured.

Question 4

What is the Risk Disaster Equation?

Answer 4

Capacity to cope

Question 4

Natural hazard vs disaster

Answer 4

Hazard = potential to threaten life and property.

Disaster = Does cause loss of life and property.

Question 5

How can complex infrastructure actually make you vulnerable?

+ CASE STUDY

Answer 5

Failure of dams, fire from damaged gas pipes, nuclear fall out, collapse of infrastructure and buildings.

Tohoku - fukushima - $300Bn cost

Question 5

What is the PAR model description?

PLUS STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Answer 5

PRESSURE AND RELEASE

Looks at the underlying causes of a disaster.
Provides a broad view of vulnerability, gives weight to natural hazards etc.

It explains vulnerability but does not measure it.

Question 6

What is the PAR model formula?

Answer 6

Progression of Vulnerability
* Root Causes - Limited access to power/political systems
* Dynamic pressures - Lack of training - deforestation
* Unsafe conditions - Physical enviroment/ infrastructure quality

COMBINED WITH NATURAL HAZARDS = DISASTER

Question 7

What is the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale?

Answer 7

Measures the intensity of an Earthquakes IMPACTS.

I.e more deaths = higher scale.

Uses factors like people awakening or chimneys breaking.

Question 7

What is the Moment Magnitude Scale?

Answer 7

Measures the size of Earthquakes in terms of Energy released.

1. the amount of slip on the fault
2. the area affected
3. an earth rigidity factor

Question 8

What is the VEI?

Answer 8

Relative scale comparing explosive volcanic eruptions
can be used for recent and historical eruptions - millions of years ago.

Assess pyroclastic material, height of ejection column and the duration of eruption.

Question 9

What are Hazard Profiles?

Answer 9

A diagram that shows the main characteristics of each type of tectonic hazarrd
It rates an event on the following SIX factors:
* Magnitude
* Speed of onset
* Areal extent
* Duration
* Frequency
* Spatial predictability

They help goverments form disaster plans by targetting more vulnerable catergories. They can also educate the local community about the surronding dangers. Help dictate options of immediate aid.

Can oversimply the complexity of a hazard

Question 10

Why do people in developing and emerging countries have higher vulnerability?

Answer 10

Basic health/nutrition strongly correlates with their ability to survive disasters.
Basic health/nutrition also affects people’s ability to fight disease - Haiti Cholera 900,000 people affected.

Infrastructure is worse quality so more likely to collapse.
Other factors that exacerbate impacts like conflict.

Question 11

To what extent does Governance efffect vulnerability?

Answer 11

Massively, a corrupt goverment will weaken a countries ability to resist and recover from a natural disaster.

Case study - L’aquilla 70% of buildings not constructed properly and a resulted collapsed and causes millions in damage.

Corruption/weak governance also often leads to less money injected into Evac plans/prevention protocols.