Natural Hazards Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is the best example of a 'trigger' in the context of natural hazards?

The gradual accumulation of gases in a volcano.

A heavy rainfall event on an unstable slope. (correct)

Long-term soil depletion in a region.

Ongoing tectonic plate movement.

What does a negative correlation between two variables indicate?

Both variables increase together.

The variables have no relationship.

One variable increases as the other decreases. (correct)

Both variables decrease together.

Which of these is the best example of an anthropogenic influence on a natural hazard?

A volcanic eruption caused by the Earth's internal heat.

A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall on a mountain.

A drought caused by a naturally occurring weather pattern.

Increased severity of hurricanes due to increased atmospheric CO2. (correct)

In the context of risk and uncertainty, how is 'risk' best defined?

The likelihood of a harmful event happening, where probability is known. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the relationship between magnitude and frequency in natural hazards?

Larger magnitude events occur less frequently. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the best description of the 'direct effects' of a natural disaster?

Displacement of people and property damage caused by the event. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is the primary source of energy for atmospheric hazards like hurricanes?

Heating of the Earth's surface by the sun. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is most likely to be considered an indirect effect of a volcanic eruption?

Crop failure and starvation from ash and air pollution. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a 'system' approach to analyzing natural hazards?

Analyzing hazards based on their energy source and amount. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is true of the 'horizontal equity' during disaster compensation programs in Canada?

It implies a transfer of funds from less risky to more risky areas. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main limitation of the conceptual framework for natural hazard decision-making?

It does not account for situations that are unpredictable. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided text, what does the intensity of a hurricane most depend upon?

Wind speed and movement speed combined. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the difference between vulnerability and susceptibility, as defined in the text?

Vulnerability is a weakness in a system related to risks impact; susceptibility is the likelihood of something happening as a result of risk. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best explains why there is increased damage and cost related to climate-forced incidents in Canada?

A greater frequency and magnitude of events due to climate change. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a natural process that can trigger landslides?

Heavy rainfall during monsoon season. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Natural Hazards

Study of natural hazards is crucial due to significant property damage, injury, and death. Economic losses are substantial and difficult to predict.
Examples used in study include the 1995 Kobe Japan earthquake, Kerala landslides, and Japan earthquake.
Survivor accounts, expert analyses, and case studies are vital tools.
- Kerala landslides highlighted hilly areas in southern India's vulnerability during monsoon season.
- The Japan earthquake showed the importance of building quality and soil conditions.
Hurricane Helene, a category 4 hurricane, caused significant damage in Florida, Cuba, and Mexico. Factors like high sea surface temperatures, high humidity, and slow movement contributed to severity.
Hurricane Milton, initially a category 5, later a category 3, caused damage to the West Coast of Florida.
Super Typhoon Yagi, a powerful storm in Southeast Asia and China, caused significant fatalities and damage.
Columbia droughts, India heatwaves, Chile wildfires, and Brazil floods highlight recent severe weather events.
Natural hazards in Canada include earthquakes, icebergs, sea ice, tsunamis, storm surges, floods, landslides, snow avalanches, and volcanic eruptions.
- In terms of cost for Canada: significant amounts of funds are spent to recover from natural disasters.
Natural vs. Anthropogenic Hazards: Natural hazards are events where humans have no direct influence (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions); anthropogenic hazards are those where human activity plays a key role (climate change impacting severe weather).
- Climate change is exacerbating the severity and frequency of many natural hazards.
- The combined influences of natural and human causes are common in the development of hazards.

Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA)

DFAA is Canada's system for providing financial aid after a natural disaster.
Program started in 1970 and has been critiqued by some as needing revision. A major issue is the growing problem of equity in assistance payments.
The aid is intended to help provinces and territories with recovery but challenges include delays in payout, and inconsistencies in funding depending on factors like the province and the type of disaster.
The Canadian DFAA has faced considerable pressures due to more frequent and costly natural disasters, often exacerbated by climate change impacts, and a lack of a definitive study on the economic effects of disasters.

A Smart Hazard Approach

Recognizing hazards specific to an area is essential, but a holistic approach encompassing various hazards is important.
Globalization and interconnected human activities make hazard impacts regional, and sometimes global.
To better understand hazards, you need a broader view of how the various parts of the earth interact, and understand the impacts.

Cause vs. Trigger

Identifying causes and triggers is a critical study because it explains how hazards develop and respond to certain external pressures or conditions.
Causes represent long-term conditions, setting the stage for the hazard.
Triggers are short-term events that initiate the hazard's destructive process.
Hazards can have both natural and human causes.

Hazard vs Risk

Hazard is the potential for harm.
Risk is the likelihood of that harm occurring.
Risk is different from uncertainty, because uncertainty involves circumstances where the outcome and probability of occurrence are not known. Risk differs from risk because it has known probability.
Risk is independent of vulnerability. Vulnerability is a characteristic of the impacted system.

Magnitude vs. Frequency

Magnitude is the amount of energy released during a hazard.
Frequency is the rate at which similar events occur.
A high frequency typically indicates a low magnitude.
Understanding magnitude–frequency relationships is important for assessing hazard risks.

Climate Forcing

Climate forcing refers to alterations in climate that trigger hazardous responses.
Variations in Earth's position relative to the sun drive climate change through cycles.
Climate change is measured by direct (instrumental) records, and indirect (proxy records) of ancient change.
Proxies can include written historical records, changes in animal bones and plant fossils, and ice cores.

Seasonal Hazards

Hazards vary seasonally, spatially, and latitudinally.

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Description

Explore the impact of various natural hazards including earthquakes, hurricanes, and droughts. This quiz delves into historical events like the Kobe earthquake and Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and response. Learn about the vulnerabilities of different regions and the lessons learned from these catastrophic events.