Geo paper 1

• Natural hazard


  A natural event that has a social impact, such as damage to property or loss of life
• Types of natural hazards

  • Tectonic hazards (volcanoes, tsunamis, earthquakes)
  • Biological hazards (forest fires)
  • Geomorphological hazards (flooding, mudslides, rockslides)
  • Atmospheric hazards (hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, rain)
• If there are no people to be affected, then it is not a hazard, simply an event that happened
• Why do people knowingly put themselves at risk by living near hazards

  • They simply don't want to leave
  • They believe the defenses will protect them
  • They don't believe the hazard will occur
  • For economic reasons (jobs, facilities)
  • Social reasons (don't know where to go, language barriers)
• Human activity has a big impact on climate change, as humans are responsible for the majority of the CO2 that is put into the atmosphere
• Increasing climate change is leading to more flooding and more extreme weather events
• If a densely populated area is affected, then more people are going to be affected
• Tectonic plates


  Parts of the crust of the Earth, the surface that we are actually on, which is a very thin surface in comparison with the thicknesses of the different layers in the Earth
• Mantle


  A very thick layer below the crust, full of magma, molten rock that is flowing very slowly
• Core


  The innermost layer of the Earth, which is very hot
• The heat of the core underneath the molten rock sets up convection currents in the magma
• Types of tectonic plate margins

  • Destructive
  • Conservative
  • Constructive
• Destructive plate margin (continental-continental)

  The plates will collide and crumble up to form mountains, with frequent earthquakes but no volcanoes
• Destructive plate margin (continental-oceanic)

  The dense oceanic plate is subducted below the continental plate, causing melting and the formation of volcanoes and fold mountains, as well as earthquakes
• Conservative plate margin


  The plates move against each other, causing friction and earthquakes, but no volcanoes
• Constructive plate margin


  The plates move away from each other, leaving a gap for magma to reach the surface and form new rocks, such as shield volcanoes or volcanic islands
• Primary effects


  The first effect of a natural hazard or event on the population, such as damage to property or loss of life
• Secondary effects


  The after effects of a natural hazard or event, happening over a longer time scale (days, weeks, months, or even years)
• Immediate response


  How people react straightaway as the event is happening and in the immediate time scale afterwards
• Long term response


  How people will react to the natural hazard in the weeks or months after it has happened
• High Income Country (HIC)


  A country where the Gross National Income (GNI) is over $12,000 per person
• Low Income Country


  A country where the Gross National Income (GNI) is less than $12,000 per person
• High Income Country earthquake case studies

  • Chile (8.8 Richter Scale, $30 billion cost)
  • Italy (6.3 Richter Scale, $11 billion cost)
• Low Income Country earthquake case study

  • Nepal (7.9 Richter Scale, $5 billion cost)
• The earthquake in Chile quickly led to tsunamis, landslides, and fire
• The earthquake in Italy led to landslides of mud and rock, and an increase in rent and house prices due to building damage
• The earthquake in Nepal led to an avalanche on Everest, landslides blocking roads, and a loss of stored seed for planting
• Aid and help were pledged from other countries to Nepal, and displaced people were given tents for shelter
• The long-term response in Nepal involves a massive rebuilding project and ongoing repairs, as well as restarting tourism to Everest
• Mitigating volcanic risks


  Planning and mapping affected areas, having evacuation plans, restricting land usage, having emergency shelters and stockpiled supplies, educating the population
• Predicting volcanic eruptions


  Monitoring temperature, gases, gravity changes, and using satellite data to detect ground movements
• Mitigating earthquake risks


  Mapping affected areas, locating critical infrastructure away from hazard zones, securing furniture, educating the population, stockpiling supplies, and conducting earthquake drills
• New technology has meant we now know more about how to reduce the risk of earthquakes
• Mapping earthquake-affected areas


  • Identify areas that might be affected so hospitals and important buildings can be situated safely
  • Ensure buildings have furniture fastened down to reduce damage from flying objects
  • Educate local population on what to do in an earthquake
  • Stockpile food and medical supplies
  • Have earthquake drills to practice response
• Reducing earthquake risk


  • New technology allows for earthquake-resistant building design
  • Predicting earthquakes is much harder than other tectonic hazards, no clear warning signs
• Some people think animals can sense impending earthquakes and change behavior
• Smartphones with accelerometers and GPS can detect earthquakes minutes before they occur
• Pressure belts


  Important factors affecting global weather patterns
• Climate cells


  Important factors affecting global weather patterns
• Equatorial regions receive more direct solar energy, leading to stronger heating effects compared to the poles