Natural Hazards and Disasters Overview
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Questions and Answers

Match the natural hazard terms with their corresponding definitions:

Natural Hazards = Events that can cause harm or damage to people and property Disasters = Severe disruptions that exceed the capacity of the affected community Economic Losses = Financial impacts resulting from natural hazards Predictive Uncertainty = Inability to accurately forecast hazardous events

Match the examples of natural hazards with their respective impacts:

1995 Kobe Earthquake = Took more than 5,000 lives Hurricane = Causes widespread flooding and destruction Tsunami = Can lead to massive property damage in coastal areas Wildfire = Results in loss of vegetation and wildlife habitat

Match the methods used in studying natural hazards with their purposes:

Survivor Accounts = Provide personal insights into the impact of hazards Professional Analyses = Offer unbiased assessments based on expertise Case Studies = Illustrate specific points through real examples Predictive Models = Help forecast potential hazardous events

Match the types of losses associated with natural hazards:

<p>Property Loss = Damage to buildings and infrastructure Human Loss = Injuries and fatalities during hazardous events Economic Loss = Financial strain on affected regions Environmental Loss = Destruction of ecosystems and habitats</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the characteristics of natural hazards with their implications:

<p>Unpredictability = Makes planning and preparedness more challenging High Impact = Results in significant consequences for society Global Occurrence = Affects various regions around the world Community Resilience = Determines the ability to recover from disasters</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the key reasons for studying natural hazards with their explanations:

<p>Loss of Life = Understanding the human toll of disasters Economic Impact = Recognizing the financial burdens resulting from hazards Predictive Challenges = Acknowledging the difficulties in forecasting events Historical Context = Learning from past incidents to improve future responses</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the components of a response strategy to natural hazards with their roles:

<p>Preparedness = Planning and training for potential hazards Mitigation = Implementing measures to reduce risk and impact Response = Immediate actions taken during a disaster Recovery = Efforts to restore normalcy after an event</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each disaster with its corresponding key fact:

<p>Kobe Japan Earthquake = Over 5,000 lives lost Kerala Landslides = 200 people killed Hurricane Helene = $22 billion in damage Japan Earthquake = 7.7 magnitude earthquake</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following disasters with their impact:

<p>Kerala Landslides = Hundreds buried Hurricane Milton = Category 4 hurricane Chile Wildfires = Severe property loss Super Typhoon Yagi = Devastating winds</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the year to the respective disaster event:

<p>1995 = Kobe Japan Earthquake 2024 = Japan Earthquake 2004 = Hurricane Helene</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the casualty numbers to the corresponding disaster:

<p>Hurricane Helene = 232 deaths Japan Earthquake = 504 deaths Kerala Landslides = 200 deaths Kobe Japan Earthquake = Many thousand buildings destroyed</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the location with its associated disaster:

<p>Florida = Hurricane Helene Kerala, India = Landslides Japan = Earthquake in Noto Peninsula Brazil = Severe floods</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the disaster to its specific characteristics:

<p>Japan Earthquake = Seismically active area Super Typhoon Yagi = Intense wind damage Columbia Droughts = Extreme drought conditions Brazil Flood = Heavy rainfall leading to flooding</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the hurricane to its descriptors:

<p>Hurricane Helene = High sea surface temperatures Hurricane Milton = Significant damage reported Hurricane Katrina = Historical disaster Hurricane Maria = Devastating rainfall</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each event to its reported damages:

<p>Kerala Landslides = Dug out by army Kobe Japan Earthquake = $100 billion in damage Hurricane Helene = Property and infrastructure loss Japan Earthquake = 178,270 structures damaged</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the disasters mentioned to their respective regions:

<p>Columbia Droughts = South America Japan Earthquake = Asia Hurricane Milton = Caribbean Chile Wildfires = South America</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the natural disasters with their geographic locations:

<p>Hurricane Milton = West coast of Florida Super Typhoon Yagi = Philippines and Hong Kong Chile Wildfires = Central Chile Brazil Floods = Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the natural disaster with its significant impacts:

<p>Hurricane Milton = 32 dead in the US Super Typhoon Yagi = 844 deaths and $16.9 billion damage Colombia Droughts = 40% electricity from fossil fuels India Heat Waves = Over 3,200 people killed</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the natural disasters with their occurrence dates:

<p>Hurricane Milton = October 5-13 Super Typhoon Yagi = August 31 - September 9 Colombia Droughts = Mid-2023 India Heat Waves = Begun May 2024</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the natural disasters with the type of weather they involved:

<p>Hurricane Milton = High winds and rain Chile Wildfires = Dry weather Brazil Floods = Heavy rains Super Typhoon Yagi = Landslides and extreme winds</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the humanitarian effects of the disasters with the corresponding numbers:

<p>Chile Wildfires = More than 130 people killed India Heat Waves = 3,200 people killed Brazil Floods = 500,000 people fled their homes Super Typhoon Yagi = 2,279 injuries</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the natural disasters with their leading causes or contributing factors:

<p>Chile Wildfires = El Niño Colombia Droughts = Hydroelectric power dependency Super Typhoon Yagi = Storm intensity Hurricane Milton = High winds and rains</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the disasters with their intensity or classification:

<p>Hurricane Milton = Initially category 5 Super Typhoon Yagi = SE Asia and China's most powerful storm India Heat Waves = Extreme heat occurrence in 93% of days Colombia Droughts = Worst heat and drought on record</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the regions affected by disasters with the type of disaster:

<p>Hurricane Milton = Gulf of Mexico Super Typhoon Yagi = Southeast Asia Chile Wildfires = Central Chile Brazil Floods = Southern Brazil</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the months with when the natural disasters occurred:

<p>Hurricane Milton = October Super Typhoon Yagi = September Chile Wildfires = February Brazil Floods = April</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one major reason for studying natural hazards according to the course context?

<p>To understand the economic impact and predict losses (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which historical event is mentioned to illustrate the severe consequences of natural hazards?

<p>1995 Kobe Japan earthquake (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method is emphasized for providing unbiased analyses of natural hazards in the course?

<p>Scientific expertise from professionals (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of examples will primarily be used throughout the course to illustrate key concepts?

<p>Canadian examples alongside international cases (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the predictability of natural hazards?

<p>Some natural hazards can be predicted, but control is often limited. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant economic impact was reported from the 1995 Kobe earthquake?

<p>Cost exceeding $100 billion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is frequently faced in terms of evaluating losses from natural hazards?

<p>Losses are hard to predict and may not be obvious in their connection to causes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in predicting economic losses from natural disasters?

<p>Losses often occur gradually and are not directly connected to the causes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes the 1995 Kobe earthquake?

<p>Its property damage exceeded $100 billion. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which disaster among the listed options is characterized by severe landslide effects in Kerala, India?

<p>200 killed and hundreds buried (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of natural disaster did Hurricane Helene represent?

<p>A Category 4 hurricane (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do survivor accounts play in the study of natural hazards?

<p>They offer personal experiences that highlight the human impact. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the severity of Hurricane Helene?

<p>High humidity combined with slow movement (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following disasters is associated with the damage of over 178,000 structures?

<p>Japan earthquake (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of natural hazards has proved to be challenging according to the course content?

<p>Some incidents cannot be predicted well or managed effectively. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which natural disaster resulted in significant flooding in Brazil?

<p>Brazil floods (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason Columbia had to reverse its climate plan during the droughts?

<p>Dependency on fossil fuels rose significantly (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following events had the highest death toll?

<p>Super Typhoon Yagi (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What category did Hurricane Milton reach at its peak intensity?

<p>Category 5 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the direct aftermath of the droughts in Columbia in terms of electricity generation?

<p>Rise in fossil fuels from 25% to 40% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many tornadoes and hail were reported as part of Hurricane Milton's effects?

<p>Tornadoes, hail, high winds, and rain were reported (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which country was directly affected by both the Chile Wildfires and the Brazil Floods?

<p>Brazil (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What environmental factor exacerbated the wildfires in central Chile?

<p>Dry weather worsened by El Niño (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which natural disaster resulted in the largest monetary damage?

<p>Super Typhoon Yagi (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of days experienced extreme heat during India’s heat waves?

<p>93% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Natural Hazards and Disasters

  • Natural hazards and disasters cause significant property damage, injury, and death. Economic losses are often substantial and unpredictable.
  • The 1995 Kobe Japan earthquake illustrates the devastating impact, with over 5,000 fatalities, thousands of destroyed buildings, and over $100 billion in damage (1995 prices).
  • Canadian examples of hazards & disasters are used for context and analysis. Survivor/witness accounts and scientific expertise are employed.
  • 2024 examples of extreme weather include: Kerala landslides, Japan earthquake, Hurricanes Helene & Milton, Super Typhoon Yagi, Columbia droughts, India heat waves, Chile wildfires, and Brazil floods.

Kerala Landslides

  • Kerala, a state in southwest India, has some areas below sea level. Severe landslides struck hilly areas on July 30, 2024, ranking as one of the worst disasters in recent memory.
  • Over 200 deaths and hundreds more were buried, necessitating extensive army rescue efforts.

Japan Earthquake

  • Japan's Noto Peninsula experienced a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on January 1, 2024.
  • The disaster resulted in 504 deaths, over 1,300 injuries from the main shock, and 178,270 damaged structures. These events highlight earthquake preparedness issues.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton

  • Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane, hit Florida, Cuba, and Mexico in September 2024. 232 people were killed and damage exceeded $22 billion.
  • Hurricane Milton, initially a Category 5 hurricane that weakened to a Category 3, struck the west coast of Florida in late October 2024. High winds and rain caused significant damage. 32 deaths occurred in the US and 3 in Mexico.

Super Typhoon Yagi

  • Super Typhoon Yagi, one of the most powerful storms in Southeast Asia and China's history, affected the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, and Macau.
  • It resulted in 844 deaths, 2,279 injuries, and damage exceeding $16.9 billion.
  • The typhoon caused numerous landslides.

Columbia Droughts

  • Severe drought and record-breaking heat affected the Amazon River basin in Columbia from mid-2023 onwards.
  • Colombia's reliance on hydroelectricity (66%) forced a shift towards fossil fuels (up to 40%) due to extremely low reservoir water levels (53% capacity).

India Heat Waves

  • India experienced a record-breaking heat wave in 93% of days (255/274) starting in May 2024.
  • The extreme heat led to over 3,200 deaths in the first 9 months of 2024.

Chile Wildfires

  • Massive wildfires in central Chile in February 2024, worsened by El Niño and dry weather, killed over 130 people.

Brazil Floods

  • Heavy rains at the end of April 2024 caused record floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
  • Over 180 people died, ~500,000 were displaced, and over 77,000 sought refuge in public shelters.

Canadian Natural Hazards

  • Canada faces various natural hazards, including earthquakes, icebergs, sea ice, fog, tsunamis, storm surges, floods, landslides, snow avalanches, volcanic eruptions, hail, tornadoes, and winter storms.

Annual Costs to Canada

  • Canadian Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) spent $486 million (2016-17), $495 million (2017-18), and $310 million (2018-19) to assist after fires, floods, ice storms, and similar disasters.
  • Severe weather alone cost $1.3 billion in insured damages in 2019-2020.
  • Climate-related incidents have doubled in cost over the last decade.

Top Expensive Canadian Disasters

  • Major natural disasters (by insured costs) include the Fort McMurray wildfires (2016), Eastern ice storm (1998), Southern Alberta floods (2013), and Alberta hailstorm (2020).
  • Other significant events include the Toronto flood (2013, 2005), Ontario-Quebec thunderstorm (2022), Ontario windstorm (2018), British Columbia flood (2021), and Hurricane Fiona (2022).

DFAA Problems

  • Canada lacks a comprehensive study on the economic impacts of natural disasters.
  • The DFAA program, established in 1970, needs a review.
  • Coordination with provinces and territories is crucial for program implementation and maintenance.
  • The incidence and severity of natural disasters have increased despite tripling the thresholds in 2015.

DFAA Equity Issues

  • Horizontal equity: Disaster compensation disparities exist between lower-risk and higher-risk areas; provincial claim sizes differ.
  • Vertical equity: The program's exclusion of luxury assets and payout caps in most provinces target lower-income property owners. Delays in payments disproportionately impact low-income owners.
  • Flood coverage should be mandatory in home insurance, with subsidies in high-risk areas. Mandatory buyouts in the highest-risk areas are recommended.
  • The DFAA process involves a cyclical system of requests, approvals, payments and audits, with timelines for each step..

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Explore the significant impacts of natural hazards and disasters, including historical and contemporary examples. From the 1995 Kobe earthquake to recent extreme weather events in 2024, understand the devastating effects on communities and economies across the globe, with a focus on survivor accounts and expert analyses.

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