natural disasters quiz 1

September 1, 1923

Japan was hit with a 7.9 magnitude earthquake, causing a tsunami and fire whirl.

Natural process

The physical, chemical, and biological ways by which events affect earth’s surface

Internal forces

Occur within the earth’s surface, such as plate tectonics causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

External forces

Occur from forces at/near the earth’s surface because of energy produced by the sun, such as hurricanes and meteorological storms

Geophysical classification

Short-term, solids from earth, earthquakes and volcanos.

Meteorological processes

Short-term, blizzards and storms

Hydrological

Movement/distribution of fresh/saltwater. Ex, floods

Climatological

Long term climate changes such as droughts

Extraterrestrial hazards

Forces from outer space threatening strike such as meteors

Primary effects

Occur because of the process itself, water damage and collapse of buildings

Secondary effects

Occur because of a primary effect, such as fires starting because of an earthquake flooding

Tertiary effects

Long-term effects caused by a primary event, such as loss of habitat, crop failure, disease spreading in tents, and river changing places

Emergency

Natural disaster that can be managed by local resources, such as small floods and tornadoes

Disaster

In a defined area, local and regional resources

Criteria for natural disaster

10 or more killed, 100 or more affected, state emergency, international assistance requested

Catastrophic

National implications with local response inadequate. Complex, long-term consequences that involve international help. Ex, hurricane katrina

Extinction level event

Results of loss of all human life. Ex, asteroid impact

2010 Haiti 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake vs. CA 1989 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake

Haiti was more devastated because of greater vulnerability.

Vulnerability

How a hazard or disaster affects a community, factors such as education, proximity, infrastructure, culture, and population density

Continental drift theory

Proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, theorized about Pangea. Was ran off by scientists during his time

Wegener’s evidence

Continents fit together, glaciers left geological evidence, matching fossils across the sea, and matching rock units.