Management

• It is estimated that by 2025, 600 million people will live in tectonically active areas
• There are also many economic advantages to living in tectonically active areas
• Advantages of living in tectonically active areas

  • Fertile soils: The ash and cooled lava contain many minerals which lead to high yields of crops
  • Tourism: Many people want to visit areas where there are active volcanoes, this increases the number of jobs available
  • Minerals and precious stones: These can be mined and sold providing work for local people
  • Geothermal energy: As the magma is closer to the surface the heat can be used to generate geothermal energy
  • Creating new land area: Once the lava and ash have cooled, new land areas are formed
• Social reasons for living in tectonically active areas

  • People don't want to leave family and friends
  • They have always lived there and don't want to leave
  • As technologies and prediction improve people are also more confident that they are prepared for the hazard
• Management of Tectonic Hazards

  1. Monitoring

  2. Prediction

  3. Protection

  4. Planning
• Monitoring of volcanoes


  • Seismometers: These record earth movements and can detect the slightest tremor
  • Lasers and tiltmeters: Used to detect ground deformation, changes in land shape can be a sign of rising magma
  • Remote sensing: Satellites are used to detect heat increases within the volcano another sign of rising magma
  • Gas sensors: These detect increases in gases such as sulphur and radon which increase before an eruption
• Monitoring of earthquakes


  • Seismometers: These record earth movements and can be used to detect foreshocks
  • Gas sensors: Detect increases in radon gas which some scientists believe is released prior to an earthquake
  • Ground water levels: Changes in groundwater levels have been recorded before earthquakes
• Prediction of volcanoes


  • Monitoring of volcanoes now allows more accurate predictions of eruptions to be made
• Prediction of earthquakes


  • Impossible to predict date, time or location
• Protection for volcanoes


  • Evacuation and exclusion zones move people out of areas at risk
  • Buildings cannot be protected against lava or pyroclastic flow
  • Strengthening of roofs to support weight of falling ash
• Protection for earthquakes


  • Many countries now practice earthquake drills - 'drop, cover and hold on' ensuring people know how to best protect themselves in an earthquake
  • Earthquake resistant building design - such as shutters on windows and reinforced steel cross braces
  • Sea walls to protect against tsunami
• Planning for volcanoes and earthquakes

  • Hazard mapping and risk assessment are used to identify areas which are at greater risk
  • Evacuation plans
  • Education about what actions to take, including drills
  • Stockpile of emergency supplies
  • Training of emergency services
• Worked example: State two ways that planning might help to reduce the damaging effects of an earthquake or volcanic eruption

  • Prepare emergency aid and distribution
  • Earthquake/volcano drills
  • Evacuation routes
  • Stockpile blankets/food/water
  • Educate people so they know what to do if an earthquake or eruption happens
  • Prepare hazard maps to identify areas most at risk
  • Planning to avoid new buildings in areas at risk