Hazardous Environments Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are the three types of plate boundaries?
Constructive, Destructive, and Conservative.
What happens at a destructive plate boundary?
An oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental plate, causing earthquakes and volcanoes.
Why do earthquakes occur at conservative boundaries?
Plates slide past each other, building pressure that is suddenly released.
Name three primary effects of an earthquake.
- Ground shaking
- Buildings collapsing
- Deaths/injuries
What is the focus and epicentre of an earthquake?
The focus is the point underground where the earthquake starts; the epicentre is directly above it on the surface.
Where do most volcanoes occur?
Along plate boundaries, especially destructive and constructive margins.
What is the difference between a shield and a composite volcano?
Shield volcanoes have gentle slopes and runny lava; composite volcanoes are steep with explosive eruptions.
Name one short-term effect and one long-term effect of a volcanic eruption.
- Short-term: pyroclastic flow
- Long-term: fertile soils
Give an example of a volcanic eruption in an LEDC and its effects.
Mount Nyiragongo, DRC (2002) – 147 killed, 350,000 displaced, lava destroyed 30% of Goma.
What conditions are needed for a tropical storm to form?
Sea temperatures of 27°C+, low wind shear, and the Coriolis effect.
What is the eye of a tropical storm?
The calm, clear centre of the storm, surrounded by the eye wall of strongest winds.
Name three primary effects of tropical storms.
- Strong winds
- Heavy rain
- Storm surges
Give an example of a tropical storm and its impacts.
Typhoon Haiyan (2013) – 6,000+ dead, 1.9 million homeless, $5.8 billion in damage.
What are the three stages of hazard response?
- Immediate/short-term
- Medium-term
- Long-term responses
How can buildings be made earthquake-resistant?
- Use of shock absorbers
- Cross-bracing
- Deep foundations
- Flexible materials
What is hazard mapping used for?
Identifying high-risk areas to plan evacuation routes and restrict development.
Why are LEDCs more vulnerable to natural hazards?
Poor infrastructure, lack of planning, limited resources for response and recovery.
