Tectonics

Question 1

What is the cause of intraplate earthquakes and volcanoes associated with?

Answer 1

Hotspots from mantle plumes

These are areas where magma from the mantle rises to the surface, creating volcanic activity independent of tectonic plate boundaries.

Question 2

What are the key elements of the theory of plate tectonics?

Answer 2

Lithospheric plates, plate boundaries, and mantle convection

The theory explains how the Earth’s surface is divided into plates that move and interact with each other.

Question 3

What processes operate at different plate boundaries?

Answer 3

Divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries

Each type of boundary is characterized by different geological activities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Question 4

What physical processes impact the magnitude and type of volcanic eruptions?

Answer 4

Magma composition, gas content, and pressure

These factors determine whether an eruption is explosive or effusive.

Question 5

What is the Benioff zone?

Answer 5

A region of seismic activity associated with subduction zones

It is characterized by a downward-sloping band of earthquakes that occur as one tectonic plate is forced beneath another.

Question 6

What model explains the complex interrelationships between hazards and their wider context?

Answer 6

Pressure and release model

This model illustrates how stress builds up in geological structures and can lead to hazards.

Question 7

How is the magnitude and intensity of tectonic hazards measured?

Answer 7

Using different scales such as the Richter scale and Moment Magnitude scale

These scales quantify the energy released by earthquakes and the impact of volcanic eruptions.

Question 8

What trends have been observed in tectonic disasters since 1960?

Answer 8

Increased frequency and severity of tectonic hazards

This trend may be linked to population growth and urbanization in hazard-prone areas.

Question 9

What is the global distribution of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis attributed to?

Answer 9

Plate tectonics and subduction zones

These geological features dictate where such natural events are most likely to occur.

Question 10

What types of movements occur at plate boundaries?

Answer 10

Divergent, convergent, and conservative movements

Each movement leads to distinct geological features and hazards.

Question 11

What are the secondary hazards caused by earthquake waves?

Answer 11

Liquefaction and landslides

These phenomena can exacerbate the damage caused by the initial earthquake.

Question 12

What are the primary effects of volcanoes?

Answer 12

Lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and ash falls

Each of these can have devastating impacts on the environment and human settlements.

Question 13

What causes tsunamis?

Answer 13

Submarine earthquakes at subduction zones

The displacement of water due to seismic activity generates large ocean waves.

Question 14

Define a natural hazard and a disaster.

Answer 14

A natural hazard is a natural event that poses a threat, while a disaster occurs when a hazard impacts a vulnerable community

Vulnerability and resilience are key factors in determining the severity of the impact.

Question 15

What are the social and economic impacts of tectonic hazards?

Answer 15

Loss of life, property damage, and disruption of services

Impacts vary significantly between developed, emerging, and developing countries.

Question 16

What is the cause of intraplate earthquakes and volcanoes associated with?

Answer 16

Hotspots from mantle plumes

These are areas where magma from the mantle rises to the surface, creating volcanic activity independent of tectonic plate boundaries.

Question 17

What are the key elements of the theory of plate tectonics?

Answer 17

Lithospheric plates, plate boundaries, and mantle convection

The theory explains how the Earth’s surface is divided into plates that move and interact with each other.

Question 18

What processes operate at different plate boundaries?

Answer 18

Divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries

Each type of boundary is characterized by different geological activities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Question 19

What physical processes impact the magnitude and type of volcanic eruptions?

Answer 19

Magma composition, gas content, and pressure

These factors determine whether an eruption is explosive or effusive.

Question 20

What is the Benioff zone?

Answer 20

A region of seismic activity associated with subduction zones

It is characterized by a downward-sloping band of earthquakes that occur as one tectonic plate is forced beneath another.

Question 21

What model explains the complex interrelationships between hazards and their wider context?

Answer 21

Pressure and release model

This model illustrates how stress builds up in geological structures and can lead to hazards.

Question 22

How is the magnitude and intensity of tectonic hazards measured?

Answer 22

Using different scales such as the Richter scale and Moment Magnitude scale

These scales quantify the energy released by earthquakes and the impact of volcanic eruptions.

Question 23

What trends have been observed in tectonic disasters since 1960?

Answer 23

Increased frequency and severity of tectonic hazards

This trend may be linked to population growth and urbanization in hazard-prone areas.

Question 24

What is the global distribution of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis attributed to?

Answer 24

Plate tectonics and subduction zones

These geological features dictate where such natural events are most likely to occur.

Question 25

What types of movements occur at plate boundaries?

Answer 25

Divergent, convergent, and conservative movements ## Footnote Each movement leads to distinct geological features and hazards.

Question 26

What are the secondary hazards caused by earthquake waves?

Answer 26

Liquefaction and landslides ## Footnote These phenomena can exacerbate the damage caused by the initial earthquake.

Question 27

What are the primary effects of volcanoes?

Answer 27

Lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and ash falls ## Footnote Each of these can have devastating impacts on the environment and human settlements.

Question 28

What causes tsunamis?

Answer 28

Submarine earthquakes at subduction zones ## Footnote The displacement of water due to seismic activity generates large ocean waves.

Question 29

Define a natural hazard and a disaster.

Answer 29

A natural hazard is a natural event that poses a threat, while a disaster occurs when a hazard impacts a vulnerable community ## Footnote Vulnerability and resilience are key factors in determining the severity of the impact.

Question 30

What are the social and economic impacts of tectonic hazards?

Answer 30

Loss of life, property damage, and disruption of services ## Footnote Impacts vary significantly between developed, emerging, and developing countries.

Question 31

What factors can influence vulnerability and resilience in communities?

Answer 31

Inequality of access to education, housing, healthcare, and income opportunities ## Footnote These factors can lead to varying levels of preparedness and response to disasters.

Question 32

How do governance and geographical factors influence vulnerability?

Answer 32

They affect community resilience and preparedness ## Footnote Governance includes policies and leadership, while geographical factors involve location and environmental conditions.

Question 33

What is the significance of contrasting hazard events in developed and developing countries?

Answer 33

It shows the interaction of physical and human factors and the importance of location ## Footnote This comparison helps to understand different scales of disaster impact.

Question 34

What defines a tectonic mega disaster?

Answer 34

A disaster with regional or global significance that has economic and human impacts ## Footnote These disasters can affect large populations and economies.

Question 35

What is a multiple hazard zone?

Answer 35

An area where various hazards, including hydro-meteorological hazards, contribute to a tectonic disaster ## Footnote This concept highlights the complexity of risk in certain regions.

Question 36

How does the prediction accuracy of tectonic hazards vary?

Answer 36

It depends on the type and location of the tectonic hazard ## Footnote Different hazards have different predictive capabilities based on their characteristics.

Question 37

What is the importance of the different stages in the hazard management cycle?

Answer 37

They guide the planning and response strategies for disasters ## Footnote Understanding these stages helps in effective disaster management.

Question 38

What model can be used to compare the response to hazards?

Answer 38

Parts model ## Footnote This model helps to analyze responses in areas at different stages of development.

Question 39

What are some strategies to modify the event of a disaster?

Answer 39

Including hazard-resistant designs and engineering defenses, as well as diversion of lava flows ## Footnote These strategies aim to reduce the physical impact of disasters.

Question 40

What strategies can modify vulnerability and resilience?

Answer 40

High-tech monitoring, prediction, education, community preparedness, and adaptation ## Footnote These approaches enhance a community's ability to withstand disasters.

Question 41

What strategies can modify loss during disasters?

Answer 41

Emergency short and long-term insurance and actions of affected communities ## Footnote These strategies help to recover from the impacts of disasters.