EQ3 Lesson 19 - Disaster Modification

Question 1

What are the 3 forms of disaster modification?

Answer 1

Modify the event
Modify the vulnerability
Modify the loss

Question 2

Which forms of modification are the most + least favourable?

Answer 2

Most - Modify the event (Mitigation + lessens impacts)
Least - Modify the loss (Acceptance of losses, damage is
inevitable)

Question 3

Name 3 techniques used in event modification

Answer 3

Land-use zoning
Aseismic buildings
Tsunami defences
Lava diversion

Question 4

Describe the advantages + disadvantages of 2 of these methods (Event)

Answer 4

Land use - People + property diverted from high risk land
No guarantee that effects will be contained
within set parameters

Aseismic - Prevents large scale building collapse, social +
economic impacts significantly reduced
High costs + usually only exists in new
infrastructure

Tsunami - Losses of land, life + utilities minimised
High costs + may require removal of natural
defences

Lava - Priority industry can be protected, social + economic
losses minimised
Only feasible for low VEI eruptions of basaltic lava

Question 5

Name 3 techniques used in vulnerability modification

Answer 5

High tech scientific modification
Community preparedness + education
Adaptation

Question 6

Describe the advantages + disadvantages of 2 of these methods (Vulnerability)

Answer 6

Tech - Early warning systems accurate, people can be
relocated in advance
Expensive to implement + maintain

Community - Low costs, increases resilience, long term
skills for vulnerable populations
Doesn’t prevent damage to property, difficult
to implement in isolated communities

Adaptation - Moves people away from vulnerable regions
Difficult to apply in urban areas, may disrupt
local tradition + culture

Question 7

Name 3 techniques used in loss modification

Answer 7

Short term emergency aid
Long term emergency aid
Insurance

Question 8

Describe the advantages + disadvantages of 2 of these methods (Loss)

Answer 8

Short term - Immediate help, reduces social impacts
Doesn’t cover social/economic impacts

Long term - Contributes to economic recovery + restoration
of quality of life
Subject to corruption

Insurance - Losses can be replaced, can pay for
reconstruction process
Doesn’t save lives, rare in developing nations