Exam 1: Natural Hazards and Disasters

Consider Figure 1-4 from the text. The top line represents the 10-year average total losses. ​ A UN researcher is interested in describing the expected cost of natural disasters over the next twenty years. Should the researcher focus on the information in the bar charts or the lines? Would it be appropriate for the researcher to use a linear model in their forecast? Explain your answer clearly in the context of the graph.

Mangrove trees grow in inlets and lagoons along the U.S. coastline from the Texas Gulf coast to the Florida Atlantic coast. These trees extend wide networks of roots in shallow water and play a major role in reducing damage due to storm surges. Mangroves grow in the form of large shrub-like trees, about 10 feet tall. The area inside a grove cannot be easily navigated on foot and generally smells unpleasant due to decaying marine life and plants. ​ Cutting or damaging mangrove trees is illegal in most areas without special permission, and this fact is advertised with large educational signs at key sites, including public boat ramps and nature areas. Businesses and homes can be built behind a grove of mangrove trees as long as the trees are not disturbed. Studies clearly show that the presence of mangroves reduces the damage done during hurricanes and tropical storms. ​ Briefly describe how this situation involves Land-Use Planning, Insurance, the Role of Government, and Public Education in positive ways.

A small event that typically occurs before a major event is called a(n) _______________ event. ​

In comparison to developing countries, catastrophic natural disasters in developed countries are most likely to cause ____. ​

Moderate events can become unexpectedly larger disasters if ____. ​

The cost of natural disasters averaged over the previous ten years has ____ due in part to ____.

Very often, when individuals or governments attempt to control dangers from natural events in one place, the effort ____. ​

Insurance covers all known types of natural hazards. ​

Developers and private individuals often oppose land-use restrictions that prevent use of hazardous areas. ​

The term _______________ refers to preparation efforts for reducing the damage caused by a disaster. ​

An event which causes damage to life and property, but does not kill or injure large numbers of people or cause extensive property damage is called a(n) ____.

A natural process which threatens life and property is known as a natural _______________. ​

Federal disaster assistance can be counterproductive because it ____. ​

The most important factor for reducing the damage of natural hazards is changing ____. ​

A natural system in equilibrium will never experience a natural disaster.

If the recurrence interval of an event is 50 years, recurring events ____. ​

Companies cannot always offer affordable disaster insurance because ____. ​

In developing countries, natural disasters are a greater risk for poor residents because ____. ​

A cyclical event will occur regularly at times determined by the _______________ interval. ​

The magnitude of a natural disaster is directly proportional to the frequency of the event.