Theme 4 - Vulnerable Coastlines

Question 1

Vulnerability?

Answer 1

the potential to be harmed by a natural hazard.

Question 2

Magnitude?

Answer 2

a quantitative measure of the size of a natural event such as a tropical storm.

Question 3

Capacity? (not amount, capactity as in ‘we don’t have the capacity to do this’)

Answer 3

the ability of a country or region to react to and recover from a natural hazard.

Question 4

What are 4 physical factors that increase vulnerability?

Answer 4

.magnitude - stength + size of the hazard
.duration - how long the hazard lasts
.predictability - if the hazard was with warning or not
.regularity - how often the hazard occurs

Question 5

What are 7 social and economic factors that increase vulnerability?

Answer 5

.wealth - poor people are less likely to afford housing to withstand hazards
.education - how educated and aware locals are of possible hazards
.age - children and elderly are more vulnerable
.health - unhealthy people are more vulnerable due to possible struggle moving/escaping
.population density - larger population of affected area = more severe impact
.time of day or day of week - level of risk/impact changes depending on if its the late night or midday, weekday or weekend
.emergency services - less services, less resourced serveces = more deaths/diseases

Question 6

Low-elevation coastal zones (LECZ’s)?

Answer 6

coastal areas that are less than 10m above sea level.

Question 7

Storm surge?
(this reminds me of that love surge thing from tiktok)

Answer 7

a rapid rise in sea level caused by storms forcing water into a narrowing sea area such as an estuary.

Question 8

Isostatic change?

Answer 8

change in the height of the land relative to the sea, often because of the melting of ice from the last ice age.

Question 9

How do severe weather events and climate change create vulnerability to coastal flooding? (3)

Answer 9

.sea levels rise - increase in coastal flooding
.warmer seas leading to more powerful + frequent storms - increased coastal erosion and storm surges
.expensive sea defences will be needed to battle against hazards - not all communities will be able to afford

Question 10

Delta?

Answer 10

a landform created by the deposition of sediment carried by a river as the flow leaves its mouth and enters slower-moving or standing water, for example an ocean, sea or lake.

Question 11

Salination?

Answer 11

the process that increases the salt content of water or soil.

Question 12

Environmental refugees?

Answer 12

people who have been forced to leave their homes because of a marked environmental disruption such as flooding.