Natural Hazards: Earth’s Processes As Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes 4th Edition by Edward A.
65) Explain how scientists know where natural hazards are likely to occur.
Answer: Scientists collect data such as the age of landslide deposits, streamflow, and emissions of volcanic gases to evaluate the threat of landslides, floods, and volcanic eruptions, respectively.
Diff: 2
Section: 1.4 Fundamental Concepts for Understanding Natural Processes as Hazards
Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Learning Outcome: 1.4 Apply the scientific method to a natural hazard of your choice.
66) In the past, many people believed that natural hazards were random events that took place on the Earth's surface. Explain why this is not true and how scientists know where hazards might occur. Explain how thinking of hazards scientifically will help communities and average people cope with the disaster.
Answer: We know that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are most common near tectonic plate boundaries by measuring the locations of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and developing the theory of plate tectonics. With this knowledge a community can evaluate the general threat to their area by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Diff: 3
Section: 1.4 Fundamental Concepts for Understanding Natural Processes as Hazards
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 1.6 Explain how much of the damage caused by natural hazards is often related to decisions people make before, during, and after a hazardous event.
67) Explain the difference between a forecast and a prediction.
Answer: A prediction of a hazardous event such as an earthquake involves specifying the date, time, and size of the event. This is different from predicting where or how often a particular event such as a flood will occur. Flood analysis involves making a forecast, which has ranges of certainty.
Diff: 1
Section: 1.4 Fundamental Concepts for Understanding Natural Processes as Hazards
Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Learning Outcome: 1.5 Synthesize the basics of risk assessment.
68) Assume that you are the mayor of a city with the following threats: earthquakes and hurricanes. How would you minimize those threats to the residents of your city?
Answer: Require strong buildings (to resist earthquake shaking and strong winds), make a disaster plan, have earthquake and hurricane drills, increase public education about these hazards, and pass zoning laws to restrict development in the most hazardous areas (land use planning).
Diff: 3
Section: 1.4 Fundamental Concepts for Understanding Natural Processes as Hazards
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 1.6 Explain how much of the damage caused by natural hazards is often related to decisions people make before, during, and after a hazardous event.
69) Evaluate the following statement "The U.S. is a free country and everyone should be able to choose where they want to live."
Answer: Although a democracy involves significant individual freedom, there are many areas with extreme risk from natural hazards. Land use planning and effective zoning laws that restrict people from living in the most dangerous areas with respect to natural hazards will greatly reduce their impact on society.
Diff: 3
Section: 1.4 Fundamental Concepts for Understanding Natural Processes as Hazards
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 1.6 Explain how much of the damage caused by natural hazards is often related to decisions people make before, during, and after a hazardous event.
70) What are some natural service functions of hazards such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions?
Answer: Floods deposit fertile sediment and recharge local water supplies; earthquakes are associated with faults, which can be an oil trap; landslides can form dams and useful lakes; volcanic eruptions can create new land.
Diff: 1
Section: 1.5 Many Hazards Provide a Natural Service Function
Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Learning Outcome: 1.10 Explain how events we view as hazards provide natural service.