The challenge of natural hazards

natural hazards

Tectonic hazards

Tectonic hazards

Natural hazards caused by the movement of the Earth's crust, leading to events like earthquakes.

Climatic hazards

Natural hazards resulting from specific weather conditions in a region, such as heavy rainfall causing flooding.

Hazard risks

The likelihood of economic, social, and environmental consequences occurring due to a hazard event, influenced by factors like country development level.

Plate tectonics

The theory explaining the movement of Earth's tectonic plates, driven by mechanisms like slab pull and ridge push.

Oceanic crust

The denser type of Earth's crust found beneath oceans, capable of being subducted.

Continental crust

The older and less dense type of Earth's crust found under land masses or continents.

Destructive plate margins

Plate boundaries where oceanic plates sink beneath continental plates, leading to subduction and volcanic activity.

Constructive plate margins

Plate boundaries where plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create new land in the form of shield volcanoes.

Conservative plate margins

Plate boundaries where plates slide past each other, causing friction and leading to earthquakes without volcanic activity.

Earthquake focus

The point inside the Earth's crust where an earthquake originates, releasing energy in seismic waves.

Richter scale

A logarithmic scale measuring the magnitude of earthquakes, with higher numbers indicating more powerful quakes.

Primary effects

Immediate consequences of an earthquake, while secondary effects occur in the days, weeks, or months following the event.

Short-term responses

Immediate actions taken in the aftermath of a disaster, such as search and rescue operations.

Long-term responses

Ongoing efforts post-disaster, involving rebuilding infrastructure and kick-starting the local economy for recovery.