3.1.1 Section A: The challenge of natural hazards

Question 1

Hazard risk

3.1.1.1 Natural hazards

Answer 1

The probability or chance that a natural hazard may take place.

3.1.1.1 Natural hazards

Question 2

Natural hazard

3.1.1.1 Natural hazards

Answer 2

A natural event (for example an earthquake, volcanic eruption, tropical storm, flood) that threatens people or has the potential to cause damage, destruction and death.

3.1.1.1 Natural hazards

Question 3

Conservative plate margin

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 3

Tectonic plate margin where two tectonic plates slide past each other.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 4

Constructive plate margin

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 4

Tectonic plate margin where rising magma adds new material to plates that are diverging or moving apart.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 5

Destructive plate margin

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 5

Tectonic plate margin where two plates are converging or coming together and oceanic plate is subducted. It can be associated with violent earthquakes and explosive volcanoes.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 6

Earthquake

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 6

A sudden or violent movement within the Earth’s crust followed by a series of shocks.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 7

Immediate responses

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 7

The reaction of people as the disaster happens and in the immediate aftermath.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 8

Long-term responses

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 8

Later reactions that occur in the weeks, months and years after the event.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 9

Monitoring

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 9

Recording physical changes, such as earthquake tremors around a volcano, to help forecast when and where a natural hazard might strike.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 10

Plate margin

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 10

The margin (or boundary) between two tectonic plates.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 11

Hazard Planning

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 11

Actions taken to enable communities to respond to, and recover from, natural disasters, through measures such as emergency evacuation plans, information management, communications and warning systems.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 12

Hazard Prediction

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 12

Attempts to forecast when and where a natural hazard will strike, based on current knowledge. This can be done to some extent for volcanic eruptions (and tropical storms), but less reliably for earthquakes.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 13

Primary effects

Answer 13

The initial impact of a natural event on people and property, caused directly by it, for instance the ground buildings collapsing following an earthquake.

Question 14

Hazard Protection

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 14

Actions taken before a hazard strikes to reduce its impact, such as educating people or improving building design.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 15

Secondary effects

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 15

The after-effects that occur as indirect impacts of a natural event, sometimes on a longer timescale, for instance fires due to ruptured gas mains resulting from the ground shaking.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 16

Tectonic hazard

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 16

A natural hazard caused by movement of tectonic plates (including volcanoes and earthquakes).

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 17

Tectonic plate

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 17

A rigid segment of the Earth’s crust which moves across the heavier, semi-molten rock below. Continental crust is less dense, but thicker than oceanic crust.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 18

Volcano

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Answer 18

An opening in the Earth’s crust from which lava, ash and gases erupt.

3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards

Question 19

Economic impact

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 19

The effect of an event on the wealth of an area or community.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 20

Environmental impact

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 20

The effect of an event on the landscape and ecology of the surrounding area.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 21

Extreme weather

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 21

When a weather event is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern, and is especially severe or unseasonal. This may take place over one day or a period of time. A severe snow blizzard or heatwave are two examples of extreme weather in the UK.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 22

Global atmospheric circulation

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 22

The worldwide system of winds, which transports heat from tropical to polar latitudes. In each hemisphere, air also circulates through the entire depth of the troposphere which extends up to 15 km from the Earth’s surface.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 23

Immediate responses

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 23

The reaction of people as the disaster happens and in the immediate aftermath.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 24

Long-term responses

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 24

Later reactions that occur in the weeks, months and years after the event.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 25

Management strategies

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 25

Techniques of controlling, responding to, or dealing with an event.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 26

Weather Monitoring

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 26

Recording physical changes, such as tracking a tropical storm by satellite, to help forecast when and where a natural hazard might strike.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 27

Weather Planning

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 27

Actions taken to enable communities to respond to, and recover from, natural disasters, through measures such as emergency evacuation plans, information management, communications and warning systems.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 28

Weather Prediction

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 28

Attempts to forecast when and where a natural hazard will strike, based on current knowledge. This can be done to some extent for tropical storms.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 29

Primary effects

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 29

The initial impact of a natural event on people and property, caused directly by it, for instance buildings being partially or wholly destroyed by a tropical storm.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 30

Hazard Protection

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 30

Actions taken before a hazard strikes to reduce its impact, such as educating people or improving building design.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 31

Secondary effects

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 31

The after-effects that occur as indirect impacts of a natural event, sometimes on a longer timescale, for instance impact on access to potable water can lead to spread of disease.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 32

Social impact

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Answer 32

The effect of an event on the lives of people or community.

3.1.1.3 Weather hazards

Question 33

Adaptation

3.1.1.4 Climate change

Answer 33

Actions taken to adjust to natural events such as climate change, to reduce potential damage, limit the impacts, take advantage of opportunities, or cope with the consequences.

3.1.1.4 Climate change

Question 34

Climate change

3.1.1.4 Climate change

Answer 34

A long-term change in the Earth’s average temperature and weather patterns.

3.1.1.4 Climate change

Question 35

Mitigation

3.1.1.4 Climate change

Answer 35

Action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards, such as building earthquake-proof buildings or making international agreements about carbon reduction targets.

3.1.1.4 Climate change

Question 36

Orbital changes

3.1.1.4 Climate change

Answer 36

Changes in the pathway of the Earth around the Sun.

3.1.1.4 Climate change

Question 37

Quaternary period

3.1.1.4 Climate change

Answer 37

The period of geological time from about 2.6 million years ago to the present. It is characterised by the appearance and development of humans and includes the Pleistocene and Holocene Epochs.

3.1.1.4 Climate change