Explain why coastal California is considered a disaster hotspot? (15marks) A disaster hotspot is a country or area that is vulnerable/ disaster prone due the hazards that are; Geophysical, hydro- meteorological. A human factor that increases the risk is vulnerability which includes- population density, wealth and GDP (gross domestic products) which affects the impact of the natural hazard. California is considered a disaster hotspot as all of these factors contribute to an increased danger to human life, meaning it is susceptible to the following natural hazards: earthquake, tsunamis, volcanoes, droughts, wildfires, fog and smog, hurricanes and landslides. One hazard can often trigger others (e.g.
The main area hit was San Francisco yet, it did affect almost all of the San Andrea’s Fault. Damage and casualties after the San Francisco earthquake were devastating, 498 deaths in San Francisco, 64 deaths in Santa Rosa and 102 deaths near San Jose. 225,000 from a population of around 400,000 were homeless. 28,188 wood and brick buildings were also destroyed by the
The fire began accidentally on private land near the forest, and extremely dry conditions allowed the blaze to escape control quickly. Southern California is in the grip of extreme drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. According to the group’s drought classification scheme, areas experiencing “extreme drought” are likely to suffer major crop and pasture losses and to face widespread water shortages or restrictions. The costs of wildfires are among the largest economic impacts in drought in California. California has a long history of
A result of this is that the shoreline is left more vulnerable to damage and erosion from storm surges. An example of this is the Mediterranean which has seen a decline of 75% of its sand dunes in the past 30 years all down to human and vehicle trampling. A way of trying to manage the damage caused by trampling could be to put down footpaths which will prevent people walking all over the dunes and so will minimise damage to a smaller area. Another method would be to plant
In 2007-2008, it was reported that 10.81% of residents 18 years and older in the Cloncurry Shire were suffering from high or very high psychological distress (ABS, 2011). Research shows that people living in rural and remote communities across Australia have particular high risk factors of mental health compared to their metropolitan counterparts (Rajkumar & Hoolahan, 2008). This is believed to be associated with isolation and environmental hazards such as drought, floods and fires (Rajkumar & Hoolahan, 2008). With the community experiencing monsoon weather patterns and droughts each year, the impact the weather has on the community results in financial stress on families which has been linked to anxiety, depression, family breakdown and other mental health issues (Rajkumar & Hoolahan, 2008). With recent economic uncertainty in remote Queensland communities due to both government and corporate service closures and restructuring of the farming industry, the Cloncurry Shire has had an 8% population decline over the past decade (Queensland Government, 2011c).
The run-off from higher elevation combined with melt water from lower elevation was so forceful it broke levees and caused one of the most damaging floods the region has ever seen. The West Walker River caused extensive damage in Topaz, Coleville, California, Wellington and Nevada. It’s estimated that twelve miles of US Highway 395 have been destroyed and are going to be closed for around seven months! In Yerington and in the Mason Valley nearly 500 homes have been damaged and public and private property damaged substantially. Floodwaters deposited debris on Farmland and Damaged irrigation gates, ditches and canals.
Not only did the volcano eruption killed people but also the spread of Cholera (A type of infectious disease) made people sick, it was spread due to the lack of sanitation in the areas that people fled to. The economic impacts of a volcano eruption on LEDCs are mainly the effects on money and jobs; after the volcano eruption, business owners would have lost their assets, people would have lost their jobs, which also means loss of incomes for the country when the
In addition to disruption in the national economy, a damage to private and public properties also contributed to the overall economical effects of hurricane Katrina. The economy of the country was slow down significantly due to hurricane Katrina. . Hurricane Katrina: Environmental Effects The environmental damages and threats on public health were the longest-lasting effects of hurricane Katrina. The industrial wastes, oil spills, household sewage, toxic chemicals and other hazardous pollutants had swept to the directly hit areas as well as neighboring regions.
Hurricanes in Florida Hurricanes are one of the biggest threats to Floridians throughout the months of June to November every year. Perhaps they are the most devastating natural disaster affecting the Earth today. They are capable of completely demolishing vast areas, causing trauma in neighborhoods and towns, and even killing people and animals. They also cause damage to the environment and the economy. These tremendous storms bring great harm to buildings and property, therefore costing millions of dollars, and hurting the Florida economy.
2) In your opinion what were the main factors that caused such a massive amount of death and destruction in the Haiti Earthquake? The main factors contributing to the massive amount of death and destruction included the location and size of the initial earthquake, the nation’s vulnerability to such disasters due to the amount of poverty within Port au Prince and the lack of preparation for such a disaster. The initial earthquake occurred at 4:43pm local time with a focus situated approximately 25km to the west of the capital Port au Prince at a depth of 13km. Due to the closeness to the surface of the focus, the shockwaves of the earthquake were much more powerful when they reached the surface, when compared to an earthquake that occurred 10km deeper into the earth crust. According to Pete Garrat, the Red Cross head of disaster relief, the most lethal combination of all of the factors contributing to the huge death toll, was location of the epicentre and the density of the population in heavily urbanised and poverty stricken areas nearby.