Unit 1: Global Hazard Trends

Question 1

Hydro-meteorological hazards have been increasing in recent years, what is this thought to be due to?

Answer 1

The increasing effects of global warming - thought to be largely due to human activity

Question 2

The number of disasters is increasing, what are the human factors that affect this?

Answer 2

1) Rapid population growth and urbanisation - increases the number of people who are vulnerable to hazards
2) Increasing world poverty - poor people are more vulnerable
3) Exploitation of resources - deforestation of wetlands can lead to more flooding and landslides

Question 3

The number of disasters are increasing, what are the physical factors that affect this?

Answer 3

Global Warming - increases the number of hazards which in turn increases the number of disasters.
El Nino - changes the global weather in an unpredictable way, makes hydro-meteorological hazards more unpredictable - harder to prepare for.

Question 4

What is magnitude?

Answer 4

the size of the event, it represents the amount of work done and magnitude scales categorise event according to size/energy.

Question 5

What are the magnitude scales for the following? :
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Volcanic eruptions

Answer 5

Hurricanes = Saffir-Simpson scale (1-5)
Earthquakes = Richter Scale (1-10)
Tornadoes = TORRO or Fujita intensity scales 
Volcanic = Explosivity scales

Question 6

Define Frequency

Answer 6

How often an event of a certain magnitude occurs. This is also called the recurrence interval.

Question 7

Deaths are DECREASING because of risk management strategies, explain some of these…

Answer 7

1) Prediction - improved technology means that some hazards can be predicted. eg path of tropical cyclone can be predicted to some extent.
2) Prevention - hazard can be prevented from becoming a disaster. eg using sandbags to stop a flood.
3) Prepare - Educating people on what to do in a disaster to reduce the number of deaths. eg Japan has a ‘disaster preparedness day’ to practice earthquake drills.

Question 8

Economic losses are INCREASING from global hazards. Why is this?

Answer 8

1) Actual financial cost is greatest in richer countries
2) Relative financial cost is greatest in LICs - less actual money is lost but the effects of the loss are greater.
3) They can also lead to indirect financial costs like tourism being affected by a disaster.

Question 9

Name one hazard that is increasing in frequency and give a possible explaination

Answer 9

Floods - global warming is warming the sea, causing sea levels to rise (More coastal flooding) and more frequent/intense rainfall, less predictable