Natural Hazards and Their Impact on Society

Geological Hazards

Natural hazards from land and tectonic processes.

Meteorological Hazards

Natural hazards from weather and climate phenomena.

Natural Hazards

Events causing social impact, property damage, or casualties.

Tectonic Hazards

Natural hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis.

Biological Hazards

Natural hazards such as forest fires.

Geomorphological Hazards

Natural hazards including mudslides and avalanches.

Atmospheric Hazards

Natural hazards related to wind, like hurricanes.

Vulnerability

Population exposure increases risk from natural hazards.

Capacity to Cope

Ability to manage extreme events reduces risk.

Hazard Risk

Likelihood of being affected by natural hazards.

Economic Factors

Job dependency may prevent relocation from hazards.

Social Factors

Language barriers can hinder evacuation efforts.

Flood Risk

Living near rivers for fertile land increases risk.

Cost of Land

Affordability drives habitation in hazardous areas.

Climate Change

Increased CO2 leads to more extreme weather events.

Densely Populated Areas

High population density amplifies hazard impact.

Tectonic Plates

Large sections of Earth's crust that move.

Extreme Weather

Severe weather events like heatwaves or cold spells.

Tsunamis

Large ocean waves caused by underwater tectonic activity.

Avalanche

Rapid flow of snow down a slope.

Oceanic Crust

Thin layer of Earth's crust beneath oceans.

Continental Crust

Thick layer of Earth's crust forming continents.

Destructive Plate Margin

Where plates collide, forming mountains and earthquakes.

Continental-Continental Collision

Plates crumple to create mountains without volcanoes.

Continental-Oceanic Subduction

Oceanic plate subducts, forming magma and volcanoes.

Friction in Plate Boundaries

Causes earthquakes due to plate movement.

Conservative Plate Margin

Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

San Andreas Fault

Example of a conservative plate margin in California.

Constructive Plate Margin

Plates move apart, allowing magma to form new rocks.

Shield Volcanoes

Formed by long-flowing lava from constructive margins.

Primary Effects

Immediate impacts of natural hazards on people/property.

Secondary Effects

Long-term consequences of natural hazards.

Immediate Response

Actions taken immediately after a natural hazard.

Long-term Response

Actions taken over time after a natural hazard.

Gross National Income (GNI)

Total income of a country divided by its population.

High Income Country (HIC)

Country with GNI over $12,616 per person.

Low Income Country (LIC)

Country with GNI less than $12,000 per person.

Nepal Earthquake 2015

LIC earthquake causing 9000 deaths and homelessness.

Avalanches from Earthquake

Triggered by Nepal earthquake, killing 18 on Everest.

Immediate Response in Nepal

250,000 ex-servicemen recalled for disaster assistance.

Long-term Preparedness in Nepal

Government education schemes to improve disaster readiness.

Amatrice Earthquake 2016

HIC earthquake causing 229 deaths and €21.9 billion damage.

Psychological Damage

Long-term mental health effects from disasters.

Monitoring Earthquakes

Seismometers track movements for early warning systems.

Monitoring Volcanoes

Signs of eruptions include gas and shape changes.

Building Protection Strategies

Reinforced structures reduce earthquake damage.

Emergency Planning

Evacuation routes and supplies prepared for disasters.

Global Atmospheric Circulation

Heat transfer from equator to poles via air movement.

Air Pressure

Differences in atmospheric pressure causing wind movement.

Wind

Air movement from high to low pressure areas.

Atmospheric Circulation

Global air movement in loops called cells.

Cells

Loops of air circulation in the atmosphere.

Polar Cell

Circulation cell at polar regions with cold air.

Ferrel Cell

Mid-latitude circulation cell between polar and Hadley cells.

Hadley Cell

Tropical circulation cell with warm rising air.

Surface Winds

Winds created by atmospheric pressure differences.

Tropical Storms

Storms forming between 5-30 degrees latitude.

Sea Temperature

Must be 27°C or higher for tropical storms.

Wind Shear

Change in wind speed/direction with altitude.

Evaporation

Process of water turning into vapor from heat.

Condensation

Process of water vapor turning back into liquid.

Typhoon Haiyan

Devastating tropical storm impacting the Somerset levels.

Primary Effects

Immediate impacts like flooding and damage.

Secondary Effects

Consequences like job loss and crop destruction.

Economic Impact

Financial losses due to disasters and recovery costs.

Management Strategies

Plans to mitigate future flooding risks.

Prediction and Monitoring

Using technology to forecast storm paths.

Protection Strategies

Designing buildings to withstand storm impacts.

UK Weather Hazards

Severe weather events affecting the UK.

Heat Waves

Extended periods of excessively high temperatures.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration in temperature and weather patterns.

Quaternary Period

Time of fluctuating climate between warm and cold.

Ice and sediment cores

Analyze trapped gases to determine historical temperatures.

Tree rings

Count rings to assess tree age and climate conditions.

Burning fossil fuels

Releases CO2, contributing to climate change.

Methane production

Farming generates significant methane emissions.

Deforestation

Removes CO2 absorbers, increasing atmospheric CO2.

Volcanic eruptions

Eject materials that can cool Earth's surface.

Reduced solar output

Lower solar energy can cool certain areas.

Mitigation

Actions to reduce long-term risks from climate hazards.

Adaptation

Adjusting to climate change impacts to minimize damage.

CO2 emissions reduction

Methods to lower carbon emissions for climate mitigation.

Biodiversity increase

Planting trees can enhance ecosystem diversity.

Debt for nature swaps

Financial agreements to protect forests in developing countries.

Carbon capture and storage

Storing CO2 emissions in geological formations.

Desalination plant

Produces drinking water from salty river water.

Reverse osmosis

Process used in desalination to filter water.

Flood warning systems

Improved alerts for rising sea levels and floods.

Flood barriers

Physical defenses to protect against flooding.

Agricultural adaptation

Changing crops or locations for better climate suitability.

Tree planting project

UK initiative to increase forests in Brazil.

CO2 storage potential

Trees could store 55% of global CO2 emissions.

Water meters

Devices to discourage excessive water usage.

Climate vulnerability reduction

Actions to make populations less susceptible to climate impacts.

Tundra

High latitude ecosystem with mosses and low shrubs.

Grassland

Savannahs have distinct dry and wet seasons.

Hot Deserts

Very hot, dry, little rainfall, cacti present.

Tropical Rainforest

Equatorial ecosystem with dense, layered vegetation.

Polar Regions

Icy, dry areas with short growing seasons.

Boreal Forest

Coniferous forest found at 50-60 degrees North.