World at Risk – Key Notes (Simplified Version)
Types of Natural Hazards
• Geophysical Hazards: Caused by processes on land (e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes). Mostly
happen near plate boundaries, where plates move and collide.
• Examples: Earthquakes (can occur at plate boundaries or in the middle of a plate),
Volcanic Hotspots (e.g., Hawaii where magma rises to the surface).
• Hydrometeorological Hazards: Caused by weather and climate (e.g., hurricanes, droughts,
floods). Hurricanes form over warm oceans, while droughts occur in dry areas.
Plate Boundaries and Hazards
• Destructive Boundaries: Plates move toward each other. Oceanic plate subducts under the
continental plate, forming deep ocean trenches and explosive volcanoes.
• Constructive Boundaries: Plates move away from each other. New land is formed when
magma rises and cools, creating mid-ocean ridges.
• Conservative Boundaries: Plates slide past each other. No landforms are created, but
earthquakes occur due to friction and pressure release.
Geophysical Hazards – Earthquakes & Volcanoes
• Earthquakes: Sudden release of pressure between plates. Types of seismic waves include
Primary (fastest), Secondary (slower, more damaging), and Surface (most destructive).
• Secondary Hazards from Earthquakes: Soil liquefaction (ground behaves like liquid),
Landslides (triggered by shaking).
• Volcanoes: Primary hazards include lava flows, pyroclastic flows, ashfall, and gases.
Secondary hazards include lahars, glacial floods, and acid rain.
Tsunamis
• Caused by underwater earthquakes that displace large amounts of water. Waves travel
fast in deep water but grow taller near the coast.
• Most vulnerable areas: Pacific Ring of Fire (Japan, Indonesia, etc.).
Measuring Hazards
• Moment Magnitude Scale: Measures earthquake strength (0-9).
• Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): Measures how powerful a volcanic eruption is (0-8
scale).
• Saffir-Simpson Scale: Rates hurricanes (1-5) based on wind speed.
Factors Affecting Hazard Impact
• Physical Factors: Geology (softer rocks are prone to collapse), Location (coastal areas are
more vulnerable to tsunamis).
• Human Factors: Population density, level of development, and mitigation strategies like
tsunami walls and resistant buildings.
Hydrometeorological Hazards
• Flooding: Can result from heavy rain, snowmelt, or storms. Factors increasing risk include
deforestation and urbanization.
• Droughts: Occur when water demand exceeds supply, leading to crop failure and rural
migration. El Niño causes unusual weather patterns.
Reducing Risk and Managing Hazards
• Prediction & Monitoring: Use technology to forecast earthquakes, volcanoes, and storms
(e.g., seismic sensors, satellite images).
• Mitigation Strategies: Land-use planning, resistant buildings, tsunami walls.
• Preparedness: Educate communities, develop evacuation plans and early warning
systems.
• Response: Rescue operations, provide shelter, food, and medical aid.
Multiple Hazard Zones
• Some countries experience multiple hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, droughts).
Example: The Philippines is prone to typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
• These areas often face slower development due to constant rebuilding.