tectonics L9 mega disasters

Question 1

What is a Mega Disaster

Answer 1

big disasters that can have long term effects and devastation in time & space

high death toll/large areal extent/long lasting global impacts

Question 2

Super Volcanoes — Yellowstone

Answer 2

last erupted 640000 years ago

• would remove the USA from the map
• rest of the world would experience a 3 to 4 degree celsius temperature drop

Question 3

what is Adaptation (tectonics)?

Answer 3

learning go live alongside the hazard, accept impacts

Question 4

what is mitigation (tectonics)?

Answer 4

altering the hazard & trying to change the impacts, diverting hazard and protecting people instead

Question 5

Hazard Mitigation Strategies

Land Use Zoning

Answer 5

Mt. Taranaki — village on side where lava doesn’t go, farmland on side where lava goes

effective in protecting people & property

informal settlements in dangerous places — no one wants to live there

Question 6

Hazard Mitigation Strategies

Diverting Lava Flows

Answer 6

water cooling (spray water, turn into rocks) & berms (low cost walls made from mud & rock)
Mt. Etna — barriers & channels to divert lava

was successful in 1983

lava pathways unpredictable — not usually successful

Question 7

Hazard Mitigation Strategies

GIS Mapping

Answer 7

planning using a map.
use modern data & old data to determine where lava is going.
helped aid agencies in Nepal in 2015 to identify most impacted area.

• can see where stuff is going to prepare
• need technology & scientists
• need quaternary industry

Question 8

Hazard Mitigation Strategies

Hazard resistant buildings & engineering projects

Answer 8

aseismic
- buildings less damaged
- life safe

• cost more

life safe
- very cheap
- just enough so it doesn’t kill anyone

• buildings still get damaged
• traditional engineering (wood)