Topic 1 - Natural Hazards

Question 1

What happened in Bujumbura in Western Burundi in Central Africa, in 2015?

Answer 1

• Landslides struck, killing thousands of people and leaving thousands homeless
• Heavy rain
• Mud and rocks plunged down hillsides, leaving houses dilapidated, and damaging roads

Question 2

Is what happened in Bujumbura in Western Burundi in Central Africa, a natural hazard?

Answer 2

Yes, because it had a huge social impact. If the landslide occurred in a remote area, where it wasn’t a threat to people, it wouldn’t be considered a hazard.

Question 3

Between 2002 and 2012, how many people on average were killed due to natural hazards?

Answer 3

100,000

Question 4

What is the most powerful tropical storm ever recorded?

Answer 4

Hurricane Patricia (2015), with winds reaching 320 km/h (200mph)

Question 5

Give examples of atmospheric hazards

Answer 5

• Rain
• Lightning
• Drought
• Snow
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Wind

Question 6

Give examples of geological hazards

Answer 6

• Volcanoes
• Landslides
• Mudflow
• Avalanches
• Earthquakes

Question 7

Gives examples of hydrological hazards

Answer 7

• Flooding

Question 8

When is a natural event a hazard?

Answer 8

A natural event is a natural hazard, when it affects people and human activities, which could lead to a possible disaster

Question 9

What is hazard risk?

Answer 9

The chance or probability of being affected by a natural event.
e.g.,
- People who live close to a river may be at risk from flooding
- Those who live close to the sea may be at risk from tropical cyclones or tsunamis.

Question 10

What factors affect risk?

Answer 10

• Urbanisation
• Poverty
• Climate Change
• Farming

Question 11

How does Urbanisation affect risk?

Answer 11

• Over 50 per cent of the world’s population now lives in cities
• Some of the world’s most densely populated urban areas are at great risk from natural events such as earthquakes (e.g., Tokyo, Istanbul and Los Angeles) and tropical cyclones
• The 2010 Haiti earthquake destroyed much of the capital Port-au-Prince killing some 230,000 people

Question 12

How does Poverty affect risk?

Answer 12

In poorer parts of the world, poverty may force some people to live in areas at risk, e.g., in parts of cities such as Lima in Peru or Caracas in Venezuela, where a shortage of housing has led to many people building on unstable slopes prone to floods and landslides

Question 13

How does Climate Change affect risk?

Answer 13

• Atmosphere will have more energy leading to more intense storms and hurricanes
• Some parts of the world are becoming wetter with an increased risk of flooding
• Some areas may become drier and prone to droughts and famines

Question 14

How does Farming affect risk?

Answer 14

• People who live on farms or near farms may be at risk from floods
• In low-lying countries many people may live on floodplains, like the River Ganges in Bangladesh