Natural hazards

• What are natural hazards?

  Natural hazards are naturally occurring physical phenomena caused by rapid or slow onset events.
• What are the main categories of natural hazards?

  - Geophysical: earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic activity - Hydrological: avalanches, floods - Climatological: extreme temperatures, drought, wildfires - Meteorological: cyclones, storms/wave surges - Biological: disease epidemics, insect/animal plagues
• What potential impacts do natural hazards have?


  They can cause loss of life, injury, property damage, and social and economic disruption.
• Which of the following is NOT considered a natural hazard?

  Nuclear meltdown
• Why is a tsunami classified as a natural hazard?

  Because it is caused by natural events like underwater earthquakes or landslides.
• What are the main categories of natural hazards and their examples?

  1. Geological hazards: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunamis 2. Meteorological hazards: hurricanes, tornadoes, severe storms 3. Hydrological hazards: floods, droughts 4. Climatological hazards: extreme temperatures, wildfires 5. Biological hazards: disease outbreaks, insect infestations
• How do meteorological hazards interact with hydrological hazards during a hurricane?

  A hurricane (meteorological hazard) can cause flooding (hydrological hazard) through storm surges.
• What is the primary cause of earthquakes?

  Earthquakes are primarily caused by plate tectonics.
• What natural process is responsible for causing hurricanes?

  Hurricanes are primarily caused by atmospheric conditions.
• What is the most direct cause of floods?

  Floods are primarily caused by the water cycle.
• What causes droughts?


  Droughts are primarily caused by a lack of precipitation over an extended period.
• Which natural process is most directly responsible for causing an earthquake?

  Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust due to the movement of tectonic plates.
• What role do climate patterns play in natural hazards?

  Climate patterns influence long-term weather trends and extreme events.
• What processes are included in the water cycle?

  Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff
• How do changes in air circulation patterns affect drought conditions?

  They can disrupt the normal patterns of the water cycle
• What human activity can lead to more extreme weather events?

  Climate change due to human-induced global warming
• How does deforestation increase the risk of natural hazards?

  It increases the risk of landslides and flooding
• What impact does urbanization have on natural hazards?

  It can worsen the impact of floods and heat waves
• How does overexploitation of resources affect natural hazards?

  It can lead to land subsidence and increased earthquake risk
• In what way does pollution exacerbate the effects of natural hazards?

  It can worsen the effects on ecosystems and human health
• What are the severe impacts of natural hazards on communities?

  - Loss of life and injury - Property damage - Economic disruption - Environmental degradation - Social disruption - Psychological impact
• What was one of the consequences of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan?

  Over 15,000 deaths
• What economic damage was caused by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan?

  $360 billion
• What is a long-term impact of a severe flood on a community?

  Prolonged unemployment and economic instability
• What is a long-term impact of a major earthquake on a community?

  Extended period of rebuilding critical infrastructure
• What is a likely long-term impact on an agricultural community after a severe drought?

  Shift in agricultural practices and crop types