Natural Disasters
What is a natural disaster?
An event caused by earth processes that causes damage or harm.
What is Earth’s outer solid layer called?
The crust
Earthquakes usually happen near
Plate Boundaries
What is melted rock called when it reaches Earth's surface?
Lava
Where do hurricanes form?
Warm ocean water near the equator
(between 5 and 25 degrees north or south)
What is the main cause of earthquakes and volcanoes?
Tectonic plate movement.
What is the machine called that records earthquake waves?
A Seismograph
What is a hot spot? Give an example.
A thin place in the Earth's crust through which lava comes through, usually in the middle of a plate.
Example - Hawaii.
What is a tornado?
A fast-spinning column of air that touches the ground.
What is an Earth process?
Give an example.
Any action that shapes, changes, or creates the Earth's landscape or crust.
Weathering, erosion, earthquakes, volcanoes, severe storms, flooding, etc
What is the point inside the Earth where an earthquake begins?
The focus or Hypocenter
Where is most volcanic activity found?
Around the Ring-of-Fire.
Pacific Ocean.
Pacific tectonic plate.
Which disaster is caused by too little rainfall?
A drought
Why do scientists study natural disasters?
To predict and mitigate hazards and keep people safe.
What are the benefits of earthquakes?
Mountain building
Nutrient recycling
Planet heat regulation
Releasing built-up energy and pressure - geologic equilibrium
What are ways to mitigate (lessen) the effects of earthquakes?
Building earthquake-resistant buildings, roads, and bridges. Building codes
Flexible pipes, auto shut off for gas and water.
Education, drills, and identifying high risk areas.
What are ways to mitigate (lessen) the effects of volcanic activity?
Monitor volcanic areas for changes.
Identify hazard zones to keep clear of.
Have evacuation routes planned.
Evacuation kits.
Lava flow mitigation.
Steep, strong roofs to keep ash buildup off.
Name three causes of a flood.
Earthquake - tsunami.
Too much rain in a short time.
Fast spring snow melt.
Tropical storms cause a storm surge.
River or lake overflow.
Which disaster is caused by BOTH weather and gravity?
Landslide
What is the point on Earth’s surface above the focus or hypocenter?
The epicenter
What are the benefits of volcanic activity?
Creation of fertile soil
Geothermal energy
Mineral deposits like gold, silver, copper, etc.
Builds new crust (mid-ocean ridge) and other landforms (islands)
Early volcanoes formed the atmosphere and water.
Explain the Coriolis effect.
The deflection of wind or ocean water (currents) due to the spinning of the Earth. In the northern hemisphere, the spin is counterclockwise, and in the southern hemisphere, the spin is clockwise.