Natural Hazard Predictions Scope Summative Review

Landslide

The sudden movement of rock and soil down a slope (sometimes referred to as mass wasting)

Mass Wasting

The downhill movement of a large mass of rocks or soil due to gravity (also referred to as a landslide)

Storm Surge

A local rise in sea level near the shore that is caused by strong winds from a storm, such as those from a hurricane

Topographic Map

Uses a series of circle-shaped outlines to show the surface features and elevations of an area.

Tornado Alley

an area of the Great Plains centered on eastern Kansas and Oklahoma and including parts of the surrounding states, where tornadoes are most frequent.

Population Density

A measurement of the number of people per given unit of land; some of the areas with the highest measurements are located near/around the Ring of Fire

Ring of Fire

A major belt that rims the Pacific Ocean where there is significant earthquake and volcanic activity

Atmospheric Conditions

The temperature, wind, clouds, and precipitation in the atmosphere

Catastrophic Event

Extreme weather event, such as a flood, hurricane, or tornado; classified by the extent and intensity of its impact on the ecosystem

Earthquake

Major geological event that occurs when plates shift suddenly and release stored energy; a frequent occurrence along all types of plate boundaries

Flood

A rising body of water that submerges normally dry land

Forecast

A prediction or estimate of future events, especially of weather

Geologic Forces

Forces resulting from processes occurring within Earth's crust

Natural Hazard

An event in nature that may have a negative effect

Seismic Waves

Waves of energy that travel through Earth and are the result of an earthquake, volcano, or explosion

Volcanic Eruption

Event in which molten rock spews out from the mantle to the surface of Earth as ash, lava, and gases; a major geological event that occurs when a dense plate subducts below a less dense plate

Tsunami

A massive tidal wave generated by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption.

Tornado

A large, rapidly spinning column of air that mostly occurs in the Central Plains states of the United States

Hurricane

Massive rotating storm that is powered by the warm, tropical waters of the mid-Atlantic Ocean

Wildfire

A large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush.