Unit 1A-Natural Hazards

Question 1

What is the difference between natural hazards and natural disasters?

Answer 1

A natural hazard can cause death, whereas a natural disaster is a natural hazard that has actually happened.

Question 2

What is a geological hazard?

Answer 2

They are caused by land and tectonic processes.e.g volcanoes,earthquakes,landslides and avalanches.

Question 3

What is a meteorological hazard?

Answer 3

They are caused by weather and climate. E.g. tropical storms, extreme weather such as heatwaves and cold spells.

Question 4

What are two examples of people that are more vulnerable to natural hazards?

Answer 4

-An area with high population density on a floodplain is very vulnerable to flooding.
-The city at the base of a volcano is very vulnerable to volcanic eruptions.

Question 5

What type of countries are better able to cope with flooding because they can afford flood defences and evacuate people?

Answer 5

HIC

Question 6

What are three factors of the nature of natural hazards?(explain)

Answer 6

-Type - the risk from some hazards is greater than others.
-Frequency - natural hazards that occur more often may carry a higher risk.
-Magnitude - most severe natural hazards tend to have the greatest effects.

Question 7

Give some examples of primary effects?

Answer 7

– Buildings and roads are destroyed.
– people are injured or killed.
– crops and water supplies can be damaged or contaminated.
-Electricity, cables, gas pipes, and communication networks can be damaged, cutting off supplies.

Question 8

Give some examples of secondary effects?

Answer 8

-The initial hazards can trigger other hazards, e.g. earthquakes can trigger tsunamis.
-Aid an emergency vehicles can’t get through because of blocked roads or bridges.
-A shortage of clean water and a lack of proper sanitation makes it easier for disease to spread.
-Food shortages can occur of crops are damaged,Livestock are killed,or supply lines are blocked.
-The country’s economy can be weakened – damage to businesses can cause unemployment and the reconstruction process can be very expensive.

Question 9

Would providing temporary suppliers of electricity and gas if regular supplies have been damaged, an immediate response or a long-term response?

Answer 9

Immediate response

Question 10

Would improving in building regulations, so that buildings can withstand similar hazards in the future, an immediate response or a long-term response?

Answer 10

Long-term response