Tectonics EQ3

Question 1

What are a few methods of predicting/forecasting earthquakes?

Answer 1

• Some evidence that animals and birds sense danger before humans
• Modern seismic monitoring and communications allow for warnings to be given
• Foreshocks can be an indication of a larger event but the pattern is not certain
• Absence of earthquakes along a know fault is cause for concern- shows stress and strain are building up
• Earthquakes may travel along a fault line- possible to say which part of the fault will move next
• Some faults are unknown and catch people by surprise

Question 2

What are a few methods of predicting/forecasting volcanoes?

Answer 2

• Geological evidence of past eruptions provides clues about the type and extent of future eruptions
• Measurements include gas emissions, harmonic tremors, bulging of the volcano flanks and composition of magma
• Constant monitoring requires lots of technology and is expensive- most developing not monitored

Question 3

What are a few methods of predicting/forecasting tsunamis?

Answer 3

• Warning systems based on seismograph readings locating epicenters and buoys monitoring the movement of the sea. - Indian ocean 2004
• Computer modelling has been used to predict arrival times and wave height- not always accurate

Question 4

What are the different stages of the hazard management cycle and what does each mean?

Answer 4

• Response- Immediate help in the form of rescue to save lives and aid to keep people alive, emergency shelter, food and water
• Recovery- Rebuilding infrastructure and services, rehabilitating injured people and their lives
• Mitigation- Acting to reduce the scale of the next disaster : land-use zoning, hazard-resistant buildings and infrastructure
• Preparedness- community education and resilience building including hot to act before , during and after a disaster, prediction, warning and evacuation technology systems.

Question 5

What does the recovery stage of the hazard management cycle depend on?

Answer 5

• Magnitude of the disaster- bigger means longer
• Development level- lower means longer
• Governance- well governed places divert resources more effectively
• External help- financing and aid to help recovery

Question 6

What is modify the event?

Answer 6

• Mitigate the impacts of the hazard before it strikes, by reducing in aerial extent and/or magnitude- needs technology and planning, which can have high cost- bad for developing

Question 7

What is modify the vulnerability?

Answer 7

• Get people out of the way of the hazard , or help them cope with the impacts by building resilience- this occurs before the hazard strikes

Question 8

What is modify the loss?

Answer 8

• Reduce short and long term losses by acting to aid recovery and reconstruction after the hazard strikes- least desirable because damage already done

Question 9

What area a few strategies to modify the event?

Answer 9

• Land-use zoning
• Lava diversion
• Aseismic buildings
• Tsunami defenses

Question 10

What are a few strategies of modifying vulnerability and resilience?

Answer 10

• Hazard risk mapping- modelling of hazard zones
• Food supplies
• Monitoring and warning systems
• Hazard resistant design
• Community preparedness and education
• Investment in services
• Improved evacuation routes

Question 11

What are a few strategies to modify loss?

Answer 11

• Rescue teams
• Emergency relief aid
• Community volunteers
• Insurance- reduce financial losses
• Evacuation
• Development aid