Learn: The Challenge of Natural Hazards

Welcome!Today, we'll explore natural hazards, a fascinating topic in Geography 8035 GCSE (AQA). We'll learn what they are, what causes them, and how we can manage their impacts. Let's get started!

What are Natural Hazards?A natural hazard is a natural event that has the potential to cause damage, destruction, or even loss of life. Examples include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions. They often occur due to physical processes like tectonic activity or extreme weather events.

Factors Affecting Hazard RiskNatural hazards can be influenced by several factors. Population density affects how many people are impacted. Location determines whether an area is more prone to hazards like earthquakes or floods. Finally, climate change can increase the frequency and severity of some hazards, such as storms and droughts.

Tectonic HazardsTectonic hazards occur due to movements of the Earth's plates. These include earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Plate margins are key areas where these hazards happen: constructive margins (plates move apart), destructive margins (plates collide), and conservative margins (plates slide past each other).

Primary and Secondary EffectsPrimary effects are the immediate impacts of a hazard, such as buildings collapsing during an earthquake. Secondary effects are indirect impacts, like homelessness or disease outbreaks following the event.

Reducing RiskWe can reduce risks from natural hazards through monitoring (tracking events), prediction (forecasting when hazards might happen), protection (building defences), and planning (educating people and preparing emergency responses).

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about natural hazards, including their types, risk factors, and ways to manage them. Now let’s test your understanding with a few final questions.