pgs 6-9, 67, 136, 145, 189, 215, 225

Goode's World Atlas

LANDFORMS & HAZARD GEOGRAPHY

QUIZ REGION: Central America & Caribbean (p. 128-129 in your atlas)

Required

Read the National Geographic summary of social risk

"Hazards" are often discussed (even in educational settings) as synonymous with natural phemonena. Although managing hazards certainly requires a thorough understanding of the natural geological and meteorological forces involved, this article makes a compelling argument that it is equally important to understand the social conditions leading to the disastrous consequences associated with natural events.

Review the USGS page about natural hazards in the U.S. (The risk maps I showed in lecture are linked from this page.)

Read the National Geographic article about Indonesia's volcanoes and mud volcanoes

Read the National Geographic article about earthquakes

Read this article about New Orleans' hurricane risk. Note the publication date - the simulation/computer modeling of the fictitious "Hurricane Pam" that predicted the outcomes described at the beginning of this article occurred a year BEFORE Katrina. In what dimensions were these predictions correct? How were they wrong?

If you haven't already, once again, watch the NOVA special Storm that Drowned a City. This time, pay special attention to the discussion of the 5 principles of understanding hazards as discussed in lecture.

Key Terms

Asthenosphere
partially molten layer above the earth's core and lower mantle
Lithosphere
outermost hardened (rock) layer of the hearth; crust and upper mantle
Convergent boundary
where two tectonic plates are pushing toward one another
Divergent boundary
where two tectonic plates are moving away from one another
Transform boundary
where two tectonic plates are grinding past one another in different directions or at different speeds
Subduction zone
area where one lithospheric plate is forced down beneath another into the asthenosphere as a result of a collision with that plate
Focal point
the exact position, at some depth below the surface of the earth, where the earth fractures, thereby releasing energy felt as an earthquake
Epicenter
the spot on the surface of the earth immediately above the focal point
Hazard
any event that poses a threat to human life or property
Disaster
the consequences of a hazardous event
Catastrophe
a large-scale disaster
Anthropogenic
caused or triggered by human activity

5 Principles of Hazard Management:

  1. Science can predict hazards
  2. Risk analysis can predict consequences
  3. Linkages exist between hazards
  4. Hazardous events becoming more catastrophic
  5. Planning can minimize consequences

Additional Information

The National Park Service has an excellent page featuring detailed geological information about many of its management units that represent specific landforms and geological features.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory monitors volcanic activity.

The National Hurricane Center monitors hurricane activity.