Managing the Impact of Tectonic Hazards Flashcards Preview

Geography - Plate Tectonics > Managing the Impact of Tectonic Hazards > Flashcards

Flashcards in Managing the Impact of Tectonic Hazards Deck (17)
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1
Q

what are tectonic hazards

A

hazards caused by movement of tectonic plates

earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis

2
Q

what management strategies can reduce the impacts of tectonic hazards

A

prediction, building techniques, planning and education

3
Q

how can earthquakes be predicted?

A

they can’t but there can be clues e.g. small tremors, cracks appearing in rocks and strange animal behaviour

4
Q

what do earthquake warning systems detect?

A

p waves, but only after an earthquake has begun, travel fastest but cause less damage so can be used as a warning for stronger tremors

5
Q

can we predict where an earthquake might happen

A

yes, possible to predict where an earthquake may happen using data from past earthquakes - such places can then prepare themselves

6
Q

how can volcanoes be predicted

A

can roughly predict when volcanic eruption will happen through tiny earthquakes and changes in shape of the volcano, often means an eruption is likely

7
Q

what are some of the problems faced when people know a volcano may erupt

A
  • can’t always get everyone evacuated in time

- not everyone wants to go, people don’t want to abandon homes and don’t believe eruption will happen

8
Q

how can tsunamis be predicted

A

tsunami warning systems rely on earthquake detection systems

if an earthquake occurs in a place that’s likely to cause a tsunami then a warning is issued (under the sea)

9
Q

how can building techniques reduce the effects of an earthquake

A
  • buildings designed to withstand earthquakes (e.g. by using strong materials like reinforced concrete or building special foundations that absorb earthquakes energy)
  • construction laws in some earthquake prone countries have become stricter - newer buildings are more likely to be able to withstand earthquakes
10
Q

how can building techniques reduce the effects of a volcano

A

can’t be built to withstand lava flow but can be strengthened so they’re less likely to collapse from weight of falling ash

11
Q

how can lava be deterred from settlements

A

use barriers to divert lava away from settlements

e.g. Etna erupted in Italy, a rubble barrier 10m high and 400m long successfully diverted lava flow

12
Q

how can building techniques reduce the effects of a tsunami

A

buildings designed with raised, open foundations and made of strong materials such as concrete are less likely to be damaged by force of water
-tsunami walls can be built around settlements

13
Q

what are other ways that the impacts can be managed?

A
  • future developments are built to avoid areas most at risk
  • emergency services train and prepare for disasters
  • governments plan evacuation routes
  • can educate people about what to do in a disaster, how to evacuate
14
Q

what 3 factors can increase the severity of the impacts

A
  • development level of a country
  • population
  • timing
15
Q

how does the development level of a country effect the severity of the impact of tectonic hazards

A
  • impacts are higher in LEDCs - don’t have money for disaster preparation or response
  • LEDCs have poorer buildings and quality, easily damaged
  • bad healthcare, struggle to treat large numbers of casualties
  • economic impact is fairly large in MEDCs as buildings destroyed are worth a lot of money
16
Q

how does population effect the severity of the impact of tectonic hazards

A
  • more people means more people effected
  • densely populated areas have a lot of buildings, collapsing buildings pose a big threat (to life)
  • difficult to evacuate a large number of people, routes are often limited
17
Q

how does timing effect the severity of the impact of tectonic hazards

A
  • if something occurs in middle of night, most people will be asleep so don’t get out of buildings as quick, more hurt
  • if something occurs in winter, people could freeze to death before being rescued