Living with the risk from tectonic hazards

• The majority of tectonic hazards occur at plate margins, some of which run through densley populated regions such as Japan
• Why people live at risk from tectonic hazards:

  • Poor people have no choice - money, food and family are seen as more important
  • Earthquakes and volcanic erruptions are rare, so not seen as a great threat
• Why people live at risk from tectonic hazards:

  • Earthquake resistant building designs reduce risk
  • Effective monitoring of volcanoes and tsunami waves allow evacuation warnings to be given
• Why people live at risk from tectonic hazards:

  • Plate margins often coincide with favourable areas for settlemet and trade e.g. flat coastal areas
  • Some people have no experience or knowledge of the risks
• Why people live at risk from tectonic hazards:

  • Volcanoes can bring benefits such as fertile soils, rich mineral deposits and hot water
  • Earthquake fault lines can allow water to reach the surface - important in arid (dry) regions
• Living on a plate margin: Iceland

  Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge with volcanic eruptions on average every 5 years. But awareness and monitoring reduces the threat to low risk. Tectonic activity brings huge benefits, such as the Hellisheidi combined heat and power (CHP) plant which serves Reykjavik
• Living on a plate margin: Iceland

  Naturally occuring hot water and superheated steam provides hot water and central heating for 90% of all buildings, including greenhouses and swimming pools
• Living on a plate margin: Iceland

  Geothermal energy generates 27% of Iceland's electricity - most of the rest is HEP (hydroelectric power)
• Living on a plate margin: Iceland

  Volcanic rocks are used in road and building construction
• Living on a plate margin: Iceland

  Iceland's dramatic landscapes with waterfalls, hot springs, geysers, lava fields, volcanoes and glaciers support a huge tourism industry
• The Hellisheidi CHP plant is the thrid-largest geothermal power plant in the world