Unit 1A: Living With The Physical Environment Flashcards
What is a natural hazard?
is a natural process which could cause death, injury or disruption to humans, or destroy property and possessions.
What is a natural disaster?
A natural disaster is a natural hazard that has actually happened.
What are extreme events that do not count as hazards?
Extreme events which do not cause any threat to human activity are not counted as hazards, e.g. a drought in an uninhabited desert.
What are the two main types of natural hazards?
Meteorological Hazards and Geological Hazards.
What are geological hazards?
Geological hazards are caused by land and tectonic processes, including volcanoes and earthquakes.
What are meteorological hazards?
Meteorological hazards are caused by weather and climate, such as tropical storms and extreme weather.
What factors affect hazard risk?
Factors that affect hazard risk include vulnerability, capacity to cope, nature of natural hazards, frequency, and magnitude.
How does vulnerability affect hazard risk?
The more people that are in an area exposed to natural hazards, the greater the probability they will be affected.
How does capacity to cope affect hazard risk?
The better a population can cope with an extreme event, the lower the risk of them being severely affected.
How does the nature of natural hazards affect risk?
The type, frequency, and magnitude of natural hazards can affect the risk. For example, earthquakes happen suddenly with no warning.
What was the impact of the 2011 Japan earthquake?
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck Japan in 2011 killed over 15,000 people.
What was the impact of the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake?
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy, in 2009 killed around 300 people.
What are the primary effects of natural hazards?
The primary effects include damage to buildings, crops, and infrastructure.
What are the secondary effects of natural hazards?
The secondary effects can include aid requirements and disruption to roads.
What are the primary effects of natural disasters?
The immediate impacts caused by the hazard itself, including:
* Buildings and roads destruction
* Injuries or fatalities from collapses
* Damage or contamination of crops and water supplies
* Damage to electricity, gas, and communication networks
What is a secondary effect of natural disasters?
An effect that occurs as a consequence of the primary effects, such as:
* Triggering of other hazards (e.g., tsunamis from earthquakes)
* Blocked roads preventing aid access
* Spread of diseases due to lack of clean water and sanitation
* Food shortages from damaged crops and livestock
What immediate response should be taken before a natural hazard occurs?
Evacuate people if possible
What are some immediate responses to natural disasters?
Immediate responses include:
* Treating the injured
* Rescuing people cut off by damage
* Recovering dead bodies
* Providing temporary electricity and gas supplies
* Offering food, drink, and shelter
* Sending aid from foreign governments or charities
What is one long-term response to a natural disaster?
Repairing homes or rehousing people who lost their homes
Fill in the blank: The initial hazard can trigger other hazards, e.g., earthquakes can trigger _______.
tsunamis
What long-term response involves improving infrastructure after a natural disaster?
Repairing or rebuilding buildings, roads, railways, and bridges
True or False: Immediate responses only occur after a natural disaster.
False
What is one way to improve future responses to natural hazards?
Improve forecasting, monitoring, and evacuation plans
What can be a consequence of a weakened economy after a natural disaster?
Unemployment due to damage to businesses
Fill in the blank: A shortage of clean water and lack of proper sanitation can make it easier for _______ to spread.
disease
What is a key factor in the reconstruction process after a natural disaster?
It can be very expensive
What should be prioritized in immediate responses to natural disasters?
Stopping further loss of life, injuries, or damage to property
What long-term response can help boost economic recovery after a natural disaster?
Promoting tourism
Fill in the blank: Aid and emergency vehicles may be unable to get through due to _______.
blocked roads or bridges
What are tectonic plates?
Huge floating plates that make up the Earth’s surface and are constantly moving.
What is the Earth’s crust divided into?
Slabs called tectonic plates.
How thick is continental crust?
30-50 km thick.
How thick is oceanic crust?
5-10 km thick.
What causes tectonic plates to move?
Convection currents in the mantle.
What are the places where tectonic plates meet called?
Plate margins or plate boundaries.
What type of plate margin is characterized by two plates moving towards each other?
Destructive margins.
What happens at destructive margins where an oceanic plate meets a continental plate?
The denser oceanic plate is subducted and destroyed, creating gas-rich magma.
What geological features occur at destructive margins?
Volcanoes and ocean trenches.
What is formed when two continental plates meet at a destructive margin?
Fold mountains.
What is an example of a destructive margin?
The Atacama Trench along the west coast of South America.
What type of plate margin involves two plates moving away from each other?
Constructive margins.
What occurs at constructive margins?
Magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap and cools, creating new crust.
What is an example of a constructive margin?
The mid-Atlantic ridge formed by the Eurasian and North American plates.
What are conservative margins?
Where two plates move sideways past each other or in the same direction at different speeds.
What happens to the crust at conservative margins?
Crust isn’t created or destroyed.
What is an example of a conservative margin?
The San Andreas Fault.
True or False: Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates.
True.
What occurs at destructive margins when a plate moves down into the mantle?
It melts and forms magma.
What is magma called when it erupts at the surface?
Lava.
What type of volcanoes can form at constructive margins?
Volcanoes that erupt from magma rising into the gap created by plates moving apart.
What causes earthquakes?
Movement of tectonic plates.
What builds up at destructive margins that can cause earthquakes?
Stress as plates get stuck.
What are shock waves in relation to earthquakes?
Waves that travel through the Earth when plates move.
Where are shock waves stronger during an earthquake?
Near the epicenter.
Fill in the blank: The epicenter is the _______ where the earthquake originates.
Point.
What happens during an earthquake?
The ground shakes and energy is released.
Where do volcanoes and earthquakes occur?
Where plates meet.
This is a fundamental aspect of plate tectonics.
What happens at destructive plate margins?
The denser oceanic plate moves down into the mantle and melts, forming magma.
This magma rises through cracks in the crust, leading to volcanic eruptions.
What forms when magma reaches the surface?
Lava.
Lava is the term used for magma once it erupts onto the Earth’s surface.
What are hotspots in relation to volcanoes?
Areas in the mantle that are really hot, leading to volcanic formation.
Example: Hawaii is formed by a hotspot.
What can volcanoes emit during an eruption?
Lava and gases, and sometimes ash.
Ash can cover land, block sunlight, and cause pyroclastic flows.
What are pyroclastic flows?
Super-heated currents of gas, ash, and rock.
These flows can be extremely dangerous during volcanic eruptions.
What causes earthquakes?
Tension that builds up at all three types of plate margins.
Earthquakes can also occur in the middle of plates, though less frequently.
How do earthquakes occur at destructive margins?
Tension builds when one plate gets stuck as it moves past the other.
This can lead to sudden releases of energy, causing earthquakes.
What occurs at constructive margins that can lead to earthquakes?
Tension builds along cracks as plates move away from each other.
This movement can also cause minor earthquakes.
What happens at conservative margins regarding earthquakes?
Tension builds up when plates grinding past each other get stuck.
This can lead to significant earthquakes when the tension is released.
What are shock waves in the context of an earthquake?
Vibrations that spread out from the focus of the earthquake.
These waves are stronger near the focus and cause more damage.
What is the focus of an earthquake?
The point in the Earth where the earthquake starts.
The location from which shock waves emanate.
What is an epicentre?
The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus.
This is often where the most damage is felt.
How is the magnitude of an earthquake measured?
Using the moment magnitude scale.
This scale measures the energy released during an earthquake.
What does a magnitude 7 earthquake cause compared to a magnitude 6 earthquake?
Ten times as much ground shaking.
This logarithmic scale means small increases in magnitude result in significantly greater shaking.
What type of damage do earthquakes of magnitude 6 and below typically cause?
Slight damage to buildings.
However, effects can be amplified in densely populated areas.
What can earthquakes of magnitude 7 and above lead to?
Major damage and deaths.
Historical examples include devastating earthquakes that have resulted in significant loss of life.
What should learners understand about tectonic hazards?
How and where volcanoes and earthquakes form.
While detailed maps may not be required, knowledge of tectonic hazard locations is essential.
What is global atmospheric circulation?
The transfer of heat from the equator to the poles by the movement of air.
It involves air movement due to differences in air pressure.
How does air move in global atmospheric circulation?
Winds blow from high pressure areas to low pressure areas.
This movement is driven by temperature differences.
What are the cells in global atmospheric circulation?
Loops of air movement that consist of warm rising air (low pressure) and cool sinking air (high pressure).
Each hemisphere has three cells.
What happens at the equator in global atmospheric circulation?
The sun warms the Earth, causing air to rise and create a low pressure belt.
This leads to high humidity and frequent rainfall.
What occurs at 30° north and south of the equator?
Cool air sinks, creating a high pressure belt.
This results in dry conditions and deserts.
What are trade winds?
Winds that move from the high pressure areas at 30° latitude back towards the equator.
They are part of the Hadley Cell circulation.
What is the Coriolis effect?
The curving of winds due to the Earth’s rotation.
This effect influences wind patterns globally.
What happens at 60° north and south of the equator?
Warmer surface winds meet colder air from the poles, causing the warmer air to rise.
This creates a low pressure zone.
What is the significance of the poles in atmospheric circulation?
Cool air sinks at the poles, creating high pressure that is drawn back towards the equator.
This completes the circulation loop.
How does global atmospheric circulation affect weather at the equator?
It leads to high temperatures and heavy rainfall due to rising warm, moist air.
The equator receives direct solar radiation.
What weather conditions are typical at 30° latitude?
Few clouds and little rainfall, often leading to deserts.
This is due to the dry air that descends from the high pressure belts.
What weather patterns are experienced in the UK?
Cloud cover and rainfall due to warm rising air from low pressure systems.
These systems are often influenced by westerly winds from the Atlantic.
Fill in the blank: The global atmospheric circulation system creates belts of ______ and ______ pressure.
high and low
True or False: Deserts are often found at the equator due to high rainfall.
False
Deserts are typically found at 30° latitude where air is dry.
What are tropical storms?
Intense low pressure weather systems with heavy rain and strong winds that spiral around the centre.
What are the different names for tropical storms?
- Hurricanes
- Typhoons
- Cyclones
Where do tropical storms typically develop?
Between 5 and 30° north and south of the equator.
What sea temperature is necessary for tropical storm development?
27 °C or higher.
What is wind shear?
The difference in wind speed between higher and lower parts of the atmosphere.
What causes the energy release that leads to powerful storms?
Warm surface water evaporates, rises, and condenses into clouds.
What effect does low wind shear have on tropical storms?
It prevents clouds from breaking up as they rise, allowing the storm to stay intact.
What is the Coriolis effect?
The effect that causes storms to spin due to the rotation of the Earth.
What happens to a tropical storm when it moves over land or cooler water?
It loses strength because the energy supply from warm water is cut off.
When do most tropical storms occur in the northern hemisphere?
From August to October.
When do most tropical storms occur in the southern hemisphere?
From December to April.
How long do tropical storms usually last?
7-14 days.
What is the centre of a tropical storm called?
The eye.
What characterizes the eye of a tropical storm?
- Very low pressure
- Light winds
- No clouds
- No rain
- High temperature
What surrounds the eye of a tropical storm?
The eyewall.
What are the features of the eyewall?
- Spiralling rising air
- Very strong winds (around 160 km per hour)
- Storm clouds
- Torrential rain
- Low temperature
What was Typhoon Haiyan known for?
One of the most powerful storms ever recorded.
When did Typhoon Haiyan make landfall?
8th November 2013.
What were the maximum wind speeds recorded during Typhoon Haiyan?
314 km/hour.
What was the storm surge height experienced in Tacloban?
Waves of up to 5 m.
How many people were killed as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?
8000 people.
What were the primary effects of Typhoon Haiyan?
- Over 1 million homes severely damaged or destroyed
- 1.9 million people made homeless
- Strong winds damaged electricity lines
- Water supplies contaminated by salt water
- Flooding affected 600,000 hectares of farmland
What were some secondary effects of Typhoon Haiyan?
- Flooding triggered landslides
- 5.6 million workers lost jobs
- Disease outbreaks due to lack of clean water
What immediate response did PAGASA take before Typhoon Haiyan made landfall?
Broadcast warnings two days prior, leading to the evacuation of 800,000 residents.
What was one of the long-term responses following Typhoon Haiyan?
The UN appealed for over $300 million to help fund rebuilding and relief.
What was done to prevent the spread of disease in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan?
Plan International constructed pit latrines for 100,000 people.
True or False: Charities built new storm-resistant houses for those who lost their homes after Typhoon Haiyan.
True.
What impact does climate change have on tropical storms?
Climate change may make tropical storms more severe, affecting their distribution, frequency, and intensity.
By how much have global average sea surface temperatures risen since 1880?
By 0.9 °C.
What is the significance of oceans staying at 27 °C or higher for longer each year?
It means there is a longer period when tropical storms can form, potentially leading to more storms each year.
How many tropical storms have occurred in the Atlantic each decade?
The number of tropical storms each decade seems to have increased.
What percentage of the last 24 years had a higher than average number of hurricanes?
16 of the last 24 years.
What are the three categories of tropical storms based on wind speed?
- Major Hurricane (178+ km/hour winds) * Hurricane (119-177 km/hour winds) * Named Storm (62-118 km/hour winds)
How does higher sea surface temperature affect tropical storms?
It likely results in more evaporation and increased cloud formation, releasing more energy and making storms more powerful.
What trend has been observed in the number of major hurricanes since 1970?
The number of major hurricanes has increased since 1970.
What is one method of predicting tropical storms?
Storms can be monitored using radar, satellites, and aircraft.
What benefit does predicting the path of a tropical storm provide?
It gives people time to evacuate and protect homes and businesses.
What are some ways to plan for future developments in relation to tropical storms?
- Avoid high-risk areas * Plan evacuation routes * Prepare emergency services for disasters
How can buildings be designed to withstand tropical storms?
Buildings can be put on stilts to avoid floodwater.
What natural flood defense is being planted in the Philippines?
Mangrove forests.
What are some common weather hazards in the UK?
- Strong Winds * Heavy Rainfall * Snow and Ice * Drought * Thunderstorms * Heat Waves
What impact do strong winds have in the UK?
They can damage properties and disrupt transport, potentially injuring or killing people.
What can heavy rainfall cause in the UK?
Flooding, which can damage homes and disrupt transport networks.
What are the economic impacts of drought in the UK?
Water supplies can run low, leading to crop failures and the introduction of water conservation rules.
What are the effects of thunderstorms in the UK?
Heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning can cause fires and disrupt power.
What was notable about the summer of 2018 in the UK?
It was one of the hottest summers since records began, with temperatures exceeding 35 °C.
True or False: The UK’s weather is becoming more extreme.
True.
What trend has been observed in the UK’s temperature records since 1990?
The UK’s ten warmest years have all occurred since 1990.
What significant flooding event occurred in December 2015 in the UK?
It was the wettest month ever recorded.
Fill in the blank: The weather hazards affecting the UK might not seem as severe as ________.
[volcanoes, earthquakes, or hurricanes]
What extreme weather event occurred in the UK from December 2013 to February 2014?
Flooding of the Somerset Levels
How much rainfall did Somerset experience from December 2013 to February 2014?
Three times the average amount of rainfall for those months
What contributed to the flooding in the Somerset Levels?
Rainfall on saturated ground, high tides, and storm surges
What is the Somerset Levels?
An area of low-lying land criss-crossed by rivers
What human activity reduced the river capacity in Somerset?
Lack of regular dredging (clearing of sediment) for 20 years
How many homes were flooded during the Somerset Levels flooding?
More than 600 homes
What was the impact on transport links during the flooding?
Major transport links, including the A361 and some train lines, were closed or disrupted
What were the social impacts of the flooding in Somerset?
- Evacuations of residents
- Villages cut off by road
- Increased insurance prices
What environmental impacts did the flooding have on farmland?
- 11,500 hectares flooded
- Standing water made ground toxic
- Damage to soil structure
What was the estimated total cost of damage to the Somerset Levels?
Over £80 million
What was the economic impact of lost tourism during the flooding?
Cost the county £200 million
What warning system was in place before the flood?
The Met Office warned people to find emergency accommodation
What is the ‘Somerset Levels and Moors Flood Action Plan’?
A 20-year plan to limit the risk of future flooding
How much money will be spent on the Somerset Levels Flood Action Plan?
£100 million
Name one management strategy used before the Somerset flooding.
- Use of sandbags and flood boards
What is one of the actions included in the Somerset Levels Flood Action Plan?
- Regular dredging of the rivers Parrett and Tone
Fill in the blank: The total cost of local companies losing business during the flooding was more than _______.
£1.2 million
True or False: The flooding destroyed many crops on farmland.
True
What happens to the ground after standing water from flooding?
It becomes toxic and unproductive for over a year
What is climate change?
Any significant change in the Earth’s climate over a long period
It encompasses both natural and human-induced changes.
What is the Quaternary period?
The most recent geological time period, spanning from about 2.6 million years ago to the present day
It includes the whole of human history.
How did the Earth’s climate behave before the Quaternary period?
The Earth’s climate was warmer and quite stable
Significant changes occurred after this stable period.
What are the characteristics of temperature shifts during the Quaternary period?
Global temperature has shifted between cold glacial periods lasting around 100,000 years and warmer interglacial periods lasting around 10,000 years
At least 20 glacial-interglacial cycles have repeated during this period.
When did the last glacial period end?
Around 15,000 years ago
This marked the beginning of the current warming trend.
What is global warming?
The sharp rise in global temperatures over the last century
It is a type of climate change.
What has been the trend of temperature change over the last 100 years?
Temperature has increased rapidly
This rapid increase is a key indicator of climate change.
Fill in the blank: The Quaternary period includes _______.
[the whole of human history]
True or False: The climate during the Quaternary period has remained constant.
False
The climate has repeatedly gone from warm to cold and back to warm.
What is the average temperature change in the Antarctic over the last 400,000 years?
Shifts between cold glacial and warmer interglacial periods
These shifts reflect the broader global temperature changes.
What is the significance of the glacial-interglacial cycles?
They demonstrate the natural variability of the Earth’s climate throughout the Quaternary period
Understanding these cycles helps in studying current climate change.
What types of evidence do scientists use to understand past climates?
Thick ice sheets, deep layers of sediment, tree rings
These sources provide valuable historical climate data.
How do scientists use ice and sediment cores to study climate change?
By drilling into ice sheets and analyzing trapped gases to determine historical temperatures
Ice cores can reveal temperature changes over hundreds of thousands of years.
What is the significance of temperature records since the 1850s?
They provide a reliable short-term record of temperature change
Measurements are taken using thermometers.
What can historical records like harvest dates reveal?
They can extend the record of climate change further back in time.
What does pollen analysis show about past climates?
Preserved pollen indicates which plant species lived in a certain period and the climate conditions at that time.
How do tree rings provide evidence of climate change?
Each ring represents a year of growth, with thickness indicating climate conditions such as warmth and moisture
Tree rings can show climate data for the past 10,000 years.
What are orbital changes and how do they affect climate?
Variations in Earth’s orbit can increase or decrease solar radiation, leading to warming or cooling
Includes changes in orbit shape, tilt, and axial wobble.
What effect do major volcanic eruptions have on climate?
They can eject particles that reflect sunlight, causing temporary cooling of the Earth’s surface.
What is the solar output and its relevance to climate?
The Sun’s energy output varies, which can influence Earth’s climate, though it is not a major factor in global climate change.
What is global warming?
A sharp rise in global temperatures in recent years, primarily due to human activities.
What is the greenhouse effect?
A process where greenhouse gases absorb outgoing heat, keeping the planet warm
Increased greenhouse gas levels can lead to higher global temperatures.
How do human activities contribute to global warming?
Through burning fossil fuels, cement production, livestock farming, and deforestation.
What gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane
These gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
Fill in the blank: The process of converting limestone into cement releases ______ into the atmosphere.
CO₂
True or False: Deforestation increases CO₂ levels in the atmosphere.
True
What role do livestock play in greenhouse gas emissions?
They produce methane, contributing to global warming.
What is the expected temperature rise between 2005 and 2100 due to climate change?
0.3 to 4.8 °C
What major environmental effect is caused by warmer temperatures?
Glaciers are shrinking and ice sheets are melting.
What happens to sea levels as land ice, like the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, melts?
Sea levels rise.
What is a consequence of shrinking sea ice?
Loss of polar habitats.
Which coastal area is mentioned as being at risk of flooding due to rising sea levels?
Miami in the USA.
What phenomenon occurs to coral reefs, such as the Great Barrier Reef, due to rising sea temperatures?
Coral bleaching.
How are precipitation patterns changing due to climate change?
Global warming is affecting how much rain areas get.
What is one way species distribution is changing due to climate change?
Some species are moving to higher latitudes.
What is a potential consequence of climate change on bamboo growth?
Decline in giant panda populations.
True or False: Deaths due to heat have decreased in some places because of climate change.
False.
What could happen to low-lying coastal areas like the Maldives due to climate change?
They could be lost to the sea or flood frequently.
What issue arises from changing rainfall patterns affecting water availability?
Political tensions where rivers cross borders.
Which crop has suffered from climate change in Argentina?
Wheat.
What is a potential impact of lower crop yields due to climate change?
Increased malnutrition and starvation.
What is one of the financial impacts of extreme weather due to climate change?
Increased spending on predicting and rebuilding after extreme weather events.
What is the purpose of mitigation strategies in the context of climate change?
To reduce the causes of climate change.
Name a method that helps absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
Planting trees.
What does Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) aim to do?
Reduce emissions from power stations burning fossil fuels.
What is one alternative energy source mentioned that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Nuclear or renewable energy.
What is the Paris Agreement?
An international agreement aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
True or False: The Paris Agreement was signed by 195 parties.
True.
What adaptation strategy involves changing agricultural systems due to climate change?
Planting new crop types suited to new climate conditions.
What technology is being used in some regions to create crops that withstand extreme weather?
Biotechnology.
Fill in the blank: Water meters can be installed in homes to discourage _______.
excessive water use.
What is a predicted rise in sea levels by 2100?
About 65 cm.
What kind of systems are being improved to cope with rising sea levels?
Flood warning systems.
What is the difference between mitigation and adaptation in climate change?
Mitigation means reducing the risk, and adaptation means adjusting to extreme events.
