A2 - Paper 3 - Hazardous environments

Question 1

What is a hazardous environment?

Answer 1

An area that poses risks to life, property, and the environment due to natural or human-induced events.

Question 2

Name three types of natural hazards.

Answer 2

Earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions.

Question 3

True or False: Human activities can exacerbate natural hazards.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What is the primary cause of earthquakes?

Answer 4

Tectonic plate movements.

Question 5

Fill in the blank: The _______ effect can influence weather patterns and increase the likelihood of hurricanes.

Answer 5

El Niño

Question 6

What is the term for the study of natural hazards?

Answer 6

Hazard geography.

Question 7

Which factor does NOT affect the severity of a flood?

Answer 7

The population density of the area.

Question 8

What is mitigation in the context of hazardous environments?

Answer 8

Strategies to reduce the impact of hazards.

Question 9

True or False: Vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of a community to harm from hazards.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

Name two human-induced hazards.

Answer 10

Industrial accidents and pollution.

Question 11

What role does land use planning play in hazard management?

Answer 11

It helps to minimize risk by controlling where people can build and develop.

Question 12

What is a tsunami?

Answer 12

A series of ocean waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, often due to an underwater earthquake.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The _______ scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes.

Answer 13

Richter

Question 14

What is the difference between a hazard and a disaster?

Answer 14

A hazard is a potential threat, while a disaster is the realization of that threat causing significant impact.

Question 15

What is the purpose of early warning systems?

Answer 15

To alert communities about impending hazards to allow for timely evacuation and preparation.

Question 16

True or False: Climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of natural hazards.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

What is risk assessment in hazard management?

Answer 17

The process of identifying and analyzing potential hazards and their impacts.

Question 18

Name one solution for earthquake preparedness.

Answer 18

Building retrofitting to make structures more resistant to seismic activity.

Question 19

What is the main factor that influences volcanic eruptions?

Answer 19

Magma composition and pressure.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: Floods are often caused by _______ rainfall.

Answer 20

Excessive

Question 21

What is the significance of the Saffir-Simpson scale?

Answer 21

It categorizes hurricanes based on their wind speed and potential damage.

Question 22

True or False: All natural hazards can be predicted with high accuracy.

Answer 22

False

Question 23

What does the term ‘disaster resilience’ refer to?

Answer 23

The ability of a community to recover quickly from disasters.

Question 24

What is the role of international aid in disaster response?

Answer 24

To provide resources and support to affected areas during and after a disaster.

Question 25

Name one environmental factor that can increase the risk of landslides.

Answer 25

Heavy rainfall.

Question 26

What is the primary focus of disaster risk reduction (DRR)?

Answer 26

To minimize the damage caused by hazards through proactive measures.

Question 27

Fill in the blank: The _______ of a hazard is determined by its frequency and severity.

Answer 27

Risk

Question 28

What is one psychological impact of experiencing a disaster?

Answer 28

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Question 29

What is a key strategy for reducing vulnerability to hazards?

Answer 29

Education and awareness programs for communities.

Question 30

True or False: The impact of a hazard is solely determined by its physical characteristics.

Answer 30

False

Question 31

What geological feature is commonly associated with volcanic activity?

Answer 31

Subduction zones.

Question 32

What causes an earthquake?

Answer 32

Sudden release of energy due to movement along faults or plate boundaries.

Question 33

At which plate boundaries do earthquakes occur?

Answer 33

All types—constructive, destructive, conservative, and collision boundaries.

Question 34

What is the focus and epicenter of an earthquake?

Answer 34

Focus is the point underground where the earthquake originates; epicenter is the point directly above it on the surface.

Question 35

How are tsunamis formed?

Answer 35

By underwater disturbances such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides that displace large volumes of water.

Question 36

What type of plate boundary most commonly causes tsunamis?

Answer 36

Destructive (convergent) boundaries where one plate subducts under another.

Question 37

Why are tsunamis dangerous even if the initial wave is small?

Answer 37

They travel at high speeds and can grow in height as they approach shallow coastal waters.

Question 38

How do hurricanes form?

Answer 38

Over warm ocean waters (above 26.5°C) when moist air rises, cools, and condenses, releasing energy.

Question 39

What conditions are needed for hurricane formation?

Answer 39

Warm ocean water, low wind shear, moist air, and Coriolis effect (for rotation).

Question 40

Where do hurricanes typically form and travel?

Answer 40

In tropical regions between 5°–20° latitude, moving westward and then poleward.

Question 41

How are volcanoes formed at destructive plate boundaries?

Answer 41

Subducting oceanic plate melts, forming magma that rises through cracks in the crust.

Question 42

Where else can volcanoes form besides plate boundaries?

Answer 42

Over hotspots, where magma from the mantle plumes through the crust (e.g., Hawaii)

Question 43

What is the difference between shield and composite volcanoes?

Answer 43

Shield volcanoes have gentle slopes and erupt runny lava; composite volcanoes have steep sides and erupt violently.

Question 44

Secondary hazards to earthquakes

Answer 44

Liquefaction, tsunamis, aftershocks, landslides, eruptions

Question 46

Icelandic Eruption

Answer 46

Effusive eruption characterized by lava flowing from long fissures. Basaltic, low-viscosity lava forms extensive lava plateaus. Low explosivity.

Question 47

Hawaiian Eruption

Answer 47

Effusive eruption with highly fluid basaltic lava. Gentle eruptions from central vents or fissures. Produces lava fountains and shield volcanoes.

Question 48

Strombolian Eruption

Answer 48

Moderately explosive with periodic bursts of gas and lava. Produces scoria and bombs. Associated with basaltic to andesitic lava. Short, rhythmic eruptions.

Question 49

Vulcanian Eruption

Answer 49

Short, violent, explosive eruptions. More viscous andesitic or dacitic magma. Produces ash clouds, bombs, and pyroclastic flows.

Question 50

Pelean Eruption

Answer 50

Very explosive eruption producing pyroclastic flows due to lava dome collapse. Viscous, high-silica magma. Named after Mt. Pelée, Martinique.

Question 51

Plinian Eruption

Answer 51

Extremely violent, sustained eruptions with high eruption columns (20-50 km). Produces widespread ash, pumice, and pyroclastic flows. High-viscosity rhyolitic magma.

Question 52

Surtseyan Eruption

Answer 52

Explosive interaction of magma and water (phreatomagmatic). Occurs in shallow seas. Produces ash, steam, and new islands.

Question 53

Subglacial Eruption

Answer 53

Eruption beneath ice or glaciers. Can create meltwater floods (jökulhlaups). Often leads to explosive activity due to water interaction.

Question 54

Phreatomagmatic Eruption

Answer 54

Violent eruptions from magma-water interaction. Steam-driven explosions fragment magma and country rock. Highly explosive.