Hazards From Large Scale Atmospheric Disturbances

Question 1

Hazards caused by hurricanes

Answer 1

• high winds = over 300 km/h - strong enough to blow down a house, blow heavy debris at high speeds
• flooding = coastal/river flooding from storm surges + heavy rainfall
• landslides = due to soil becoming heavy when wet with high levels of rain
• storm surges = large rise in sea levels caused by low pressure + high winds, pushing water towards the coast

Question 2

Primary + secondary environmental hazards

Answer 2

• primary = beaches eroded, sand displaced, coastal habitats e.g. coral reefs destroyed
• secondary = river flooding/salt water contamination, animals displaced by flooding, water sources changing course from blockages

Question 3

Primary + secondary economic hazards

Answer 3

• primary = businesses destroyed, agriculture land damaged
• secondary = rebuilding + insurance payout, sources of income lost, economic decline from sources of income destroyed

Question 4

Primary + secondary social hazards

Answer 4

• primary = drowning, debris carried by high winds can injure or kill, buildings destroyed
• secondary = homelessness, polluted water supplies spread disease, food shortages from damaged land

Question 5

Primary + secondary political hazards

Answer 5

• primary = govt buildings destroyed
• secondary = issues paying international aid, pressure for govt to do more about global warming