The challenge of natural hazards Flashcards
What is a natural hazard?
a natural hazard has the potential to cause death or injury
Name two types of natural hazards.
Earthquakes
Floods
What causes an earthquake?
An earthquake is caused when tectonic plates in the Earth’s crust suddenly move, creating a release of energy that shakes the ground.
what is a natural disaster
a natural disaster is a natural hazard that has harmed or killed people
what are the 2 main types of hazards?
geological- caused by land and tectonic processes
meteorological- caused by weather and climate
what are three factors that affect hazard risk
vulnerability- more people means more affected
capacity to cope- better population (HIC) lower risk of being affected
nature of hazard- type, frequency and magnitude
what are some examples of primary effects
buildings and roads destroyed
crops and water sources damaged
people killed/ injured
what are some examples of secondary
- other triggered hazards
-aid and emergency - food and water shortages
what are some examples of immediate responses
-evacuate before
-treat injured
-recover dead bodies
what are some examples of long term responses?
-repair infrastructure
-improve buildings
what are the 2 types of earth crust? describe them
oceanic- crust is thin but thick
continental-thick but less dense
why do plates move
convection currents
what are the three types of plate margins?
constructive
conservative
destructive
describe the destructive plate margin to me
-2 plates move toward each other
-oceanic meets continental (volcanoes and ocean trenches)
-continental to continental (fold mountains made
-
describe the constructive plate margin to me
- 2 plates move away
-magma rises making new crust
describe the conservative plate margin to me
-2 plates move past each other at different speeds
-crust is not created or destroyed
where do volcanoes occur
destructive and constructive
where do earthquakes occur
all three
tell me some context about New Zealand earthquake
-7.8 magnitude
-in 2016
tell me the primary effects of NZ
-2 died
-tens of thousands of homes damaged
tell me the secondary effects of NZ
-triggered up to 100,000 landslides
-landslide lead to the evacuation on 10 farms
tell me the immediate responses on NZ
-tsunami warning
-power restored within few hours
tell me the long term responses on NZ
-most road repaired in 2 years
tell me some context for Gorkha
-7.8 magnitude
-earthquake hit in 2015
tell me the primary effects of Gorkha
-9000 died
-800,000 buildings destroyed/ damaged
tell me the secondary effects of Gorkha
-triggered an avalanche that killed 18 people
-landslides blocked aid
tell me some immediate responses for Gorkha
-red cross set up 130,000 emergency shelters
-charities provided medicine, food and temporary water supplies
give me some long term responses for Gorkha
-road from Nepal to Tibet opened up 2 years after earthquake
-opened up heritage sites to encourage tourists
What are the 4 ways we can reduce the effects of tectonic hazards?
Monitoring - Earthquakes can be monitored using seismometers.
Predicting - Forecasting where they may occur.
Protection - Making buildings able to withstand earthquakes.
Planning - Educating people on what to do in an emergency.
Why do some people live in areas at risk from tectonic hazards?
-Some people don’t have a choice.
-Tourist attractions provide lots of jobs.
-Minerals from volcanic ash make soil fertile, which is good for farmers because it increases their income.
What are the 3 atmospheric cells?
Polar, Ferrel, and Hadley.
What is global atmospheric circulation?
The transfer of heat from the equator to the poles by the movement of air.
What happens when the sun warms the air at the equator?
Air rises, creating low pressure.
What happens at 30 degrees north and south of the equator?
Cool air sinks, creating high pressure.
What happens at 60 degrees north and south of the equator?
Warmer surface winds meet colder air from the poles. The warmer air rises, creating low pressure.
What happens at the poles?
Cool air sinks, creating high pressure. This high-pressure air is then drawn back towards the equator
Where do tropical storms form?
Between 5° and 30° north and south of the equator when sea temperatures are 27°C or higher and there is low wind shear.
Tell me some context about Typhoon Haiyan:
It struck the Philippines on 8th November 2013.
What are some primary effects of Typhoon Haiyan?
6,300 people killed.
Over 1 million homes destroyed.
What are some secondary effects of Typhoon Haiyan?
Flooding triggered landslides, which blocked aid routes.
5.6 million people lost their jobs.
Tell me an immediate response to Typhoon Haiyan:
Fishermen were warned not to go to sea.
Tell me a long-term response to Typhoon Haiyan:
Charities built storm-resistant homes for those who lost their houses.
What caused the UK 2022 heatwave?
Temperatures reached 40°C, and high pressure trapped the heat.
What are the environmental impacts of the UK heatwave?
Wildfires broke out across London
What are the economic impacts of the UK heatwave?
Flights at Luton Airport were cancelled due to melting tarmac.
40 properties in London were destroyed by fires.
What are some social impacts of the UK heatwave?
5 people died while trying to cool off in water.
Surgeries were cancelled because operating rooms became too hot.
What are some management strategies used during the UK heatwave?
Railways imposed speed limits to prevent track damage.
Hammersmith Bridge was wrapped in foil to reflect heat and prevent overheating.
How can we reduce the impacts of flood risk?
Sandbags can reduce damage to homes.
Warning systems give people time to prepare.
What are 4 pieces of evidence for climate change?
Ice and sediment cores - One layer of ice equals one year; scientists analyze the layers for information about past climates.
Tree rings - One year equals one ring; scientists inspect the thickness to determine past weather conditions.
Pollen analysis - Pollen is preserved in sediment; scientists analyze it to understand past vegetation and climates.
Temperature records - Historical data from newspapers, paintings, and written accounts provide insights into past climate conditions
What are the natural factors that affect climate change?
Orbital changes affect how much energy Earth receives; more energy means more heat.
What are some human factors that affect climate change?
Burning fossil fuels - Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Deforestation - Reduces the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide.
Farming - Cows and rice paddy fields produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
How does climate change affect the environment?
Ice caps melt due to warmer temperatures, causing sea levels to rise, which leads to loss of habitats and a decrease in species.
How does climate change affect people?
Farming is affected; if it’s too hot, crops may not grow, leading to food shortages and malnutrition.
Warmer temperatures mean more money is spent on predicting, reducing impacts, and rebuilding after disasters.
How can we reduce climate change?
Plant more trees - Trees act as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Use different energy production methods - For example, switching to hydroelectric power or other renewable sources.
How can we adapt to climate change?
Plant new crop types that are adapted to the changing climate.
Manage water use by installing water meters to encourage using less water.
How can geothermal energy benefit people living in tectonic hazard zones?
It provides a renewable and cheap source of electricity and heating, especially in volcanic regions like Iceland.
How does farming encourage people to live near volcanoes?
Volcanic ash makes the soil highly fertile, leading to productive agriculture and better crop yields.
What role does tourism play in people living in high-risk areas?
Volcanic landscapes attract tourists, providing jobs and income for local economies.
How can poverty affect people’s decision to live in high-risk areas?
People may not have the financial means to move elsewhere or may rely on the land for their livelihood.
Why do some people underestimate the risks of living in tectonic hazard zones?
They believe that monitoring and building regulations make them safe, or they think disasters are unlikely in their lifetime.
What strategies help reduce the risks of living in tectonic hazard zones?
Monitoring and prediction, earthquake-resistant buildings, education, and emergency preparedness plans.
How does monitoring and prediction help reduce the effects of tectonic hazards?
Seismometers detect early tremors, and gas sensors monitor volcanic activity, allowing evacuations before disasters strike.
Why is education important in managing tectonic hazards?
It teaches people how to respond in an emergency, for earthquakes, reducing injuries and deaths.
Why is the equator hot and wet?
Warm air rises, creating low pressure. As it rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds and heavy rainfall
Why are deserts found around 30° north and south of the equator?
Sinking air creates high pressure, meaning no rising air to form clouds, leading to dry and hot conditions.
Why are the poles cold and dry?
Cold air sinks at 90°, creating high pressure. Sinking air prevents cloud formation, leading to dry conditions (polar deserts).
How does global atmospheric circulation influence tropical storms?
Warm, moist air rises in low-pressure zones, fuelling storms. The Coriolis effect makes them spin and move across oceans.
: Why don’t tropical storms form at the equator?
The Coriolis effect is too weak at the equator to make the storm spin.
Why does climate change make tropical storms more unpredictable?
Changes in wind patterns and ocean currents may alter storm paths, speed, and areas at risk.
What is the Coriolis effect, and how does it influence tropical storms?
It is the force caused by the Earth’s rotation that makes storms spin. It deflects moving air right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere.
Describe the conditions in the eye of a tropical storm.
The eye is a calm, clear area with low pressure, light winds, and no rain.
What happens in the eye wall of a tropical storm?
The most intense winds, heaviest rainfall, and strongest thunderstorms occur here.
How do tropical storms lose energy?
When they move over land or cooler water, they lose their supply of warm, moist air.
What is storm surge, and why is it dangerous?
A large rise in sea level caused by strong winds and low pressure, leading to coastal flooding.
how does heavy rainfall from tropical storms cause damage?
It leads to flooding, landslides, and mudslides, destroying homes and infrastructure.
How does climate change affect sea surface temperatures?
It increases sea surface temperatures, making conditions more favourable for tropical storm formation.
Why does climate change increase the intensity of tropical storms?
Warmer oceans provide more heat and moisture, leading to stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and higher storm surges.
How does climate change affect storm surges?
Rising sea levels due to global warming make storm surges higher and more destructive.
How does climate change affect the distribution of tropical storms?
Warmer oceans mean storms could form further from the equator, affecting new areas.
What structural adaptations can make buildings more storm-resistant?
Reinforced walls, strong roofs, stilts, and deep foundations reduce wind and flood damage.
How do hurricane/typhoon warning systems help reduce the impacts of tropical storms?
They issue advance warnings, giving people time to evacuate and secure property, reducing loss of life.
Why are evacuation plans important for reducing tropical storm impacts?
They provide clear routes and shelters, helping people move to safety before a storm strikes.
How does public education reduce the impact of tropical storms?
It teaches people how to prepare, what supplies to have, and how to respond during a storm, saving lives.
How does land-use planning help reduce the impact of tropical storms?
It prevents building in high-risk coastal zones, reducing damage from flooding and storm surges.
How do satellites and radar help reduce the effects of tropical storms?
They track storm development and provide early warnings, allowing people to prepare or evacuate.
What is afforestation, and how does it reduce flood risk?
Planting trees in catchment areas helps to absorb and slow down rainwater, reducing surface runoff and flooding.
How does planting trees help mitigate climate change?
Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases.
How does switching to alternative energy production reduce the causes of climate change?
By using renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, we reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, which are major sources of greenhouse gases.
How do solar panels contribute to climate change mitigation?
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, providing a clean, renewable energy source that doesn’t release harmful greenhouse gases.
How does wind energy reduce climate change?
Wind energy generates electricity without burning fossil fuels, cutting down on CO₂ emissions that contribute to global warming.
How does carbon capture and storage (CCS) help mitigate climate change?
CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources and storing them underground, preventing them from entering the atmosphere.
Flashcard 85
How is water conservation being used to adapt to climate change?
Measures like rainwater harvesting, water-efficient appliances, and promoting conservation practices help manage droughts and water scarcity.
What is adaptation in response to climate change?
Adaptation involves making changes to our lifestyle, infrastructure, and policies to reduce the damage caused by climate change.
