Extreme Weather
Name one type of extreme weather studied in this unit.
Cyclones. Floods. Droughts.
What is erosion?
The movement of soil and rock by wind or water.
What is a floodplain?
Flat land near a river that floods.
Name one Australian landform created by erosion.
The Twelve Apostles.
Name one modern tool used to predict weather.
Satellite, radar, weather apps.
What type of extreme weather occurs when rivers overflow and water covers land that is normally dry?
Flood
Name one natural force that causes erosion.
Water, wind, ice.
What happens to sediment when river water slows down?
Sediment is deposited.
What natural force shapes coastlines by wearing away rock and sand?
Waves
What type of knowledge uses plants, animals, and stars to predict weather?
First Nations traditional knowledge.
What type of extreme weather forms over warm tropical oceans and brings strong winds and heavy rain?
Cyclone
Explain how floods cause erosion.
Fast water washes away soil and riverbanks.
Why are floodplains good for farming?
Floods leave nutrient rich soil.
What is a storm surge?
A rise in sea level during a cyclone that floods coastal areas.
Give one example of a natural weather indicator.
Flowering plants, animal behaviour, star patterns.
Explain one major impact drought has on farming communities.
Crop loss, water shortages, livestock deaths, financial stress.
How can drought increase erosion?
Dry soil and lack of plants allow wind and water to move soil easily.
Give one positive and one negative impact of floods.
Positive. Fertile soil.
Negative. Damage to homes and infrastructure.
Name one strategy used to reduce coastal erosion.
Seawalls, planting dune vegetation, relocating buildings.
Why is combining traditional knowledge and modern technology useful?
Local knowledge plus real time scientific data improves predictions.
Why are cyclones more common in northern Australia than southern Australia?
Warm tropical ocean water allows cyclones to form.
Explain how repeated floods change landscapes.
Floods remove soil and deposit sediment in new places.
Why do people still live near rivers even though floods occur?
Water access, fertile land, transport routes, established towns.
Explain why coastal erosion is a problem for people living near beaches.
It damages homes, roads, beaches, and infrastructure.
Communities know floods are likely in their area. Name two ways they could reduce damage.
Levees, better drainage, emergency planning, warning systems, avoiding building in flood zones.