Scribd
Upload
14 views7 pages

Natural Disasters Everything

The document outlines the definitions and causes of disasters and hazards, including natural and human-induced events that lead to significant loss and suffering. It discusses various types of disasters such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, along with their causes, effects, and risk reduction methods. Additionally, it highlights the role of disaster management in India, emphasizing the structure of the National Disaster Management Authority and the responsibilities of state and central governments.

Uploaded by

lesterlewis383
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
14 views7 pages

Natural Disasters Everything

The document outlines the definitions and causes of disasters and hazards, including natural and human-induced events that lead to significant loss and suffering. It discusses various types of disasters such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, along with their causes, effects, and risk reduction methods. Additionally, it highlights the role of disaster management in India, emphasizing the structure of the National Disaster Management Authority and the responsibilities of state and central governments.

Uploaded by

lesterlewis383
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Disasters & Hazards

 Disaster: A natural or human-induced event causing significant loss of


life, property, and livelihood, affecting communities and economies.
 Hazard: An unusual event with the potential to cause damage and human
suffering.
Causes of Disasters
Lack of Planning and Training
 Absence of Routine Study: Lack of regular study and monitoring in
disaster-prone areas.
 Unplanned Development: Development without considering disaster
risks.
Population Explosion and Environmental Degradation
 Population Explosion: Rapid increase in population leading to
overuse of resources.
 Deforestation: Indiscriminate felling of trees.
 Illegal Construction: Building without proper regulations.
 Inefficient Drainage Systems: Poor infrastructure leading to
flooding.
Over-utilization of Resources
 Over Mining: Excessive and illegal mining activities.
 Land Exploitation: Overuse and degradation of land.
 Water Overuse: Excessive use of surface and groundwater.
 Forest Exploitation: Overharvesting of forest resources.
Climate Change
 Global Warming: Increase in Earth's temperature due to greenhouse
gases.
 Rising Sea Levels: Submergence of islands and coastal areas.
 Changes in Rainfall: Leading to floods and droughts.
 Melting Glaciers: Contributing to sea level rise.
Socio-economic Factors
 Backwardness: Lack of development and infrastructure.
 Lack of Awareness: Insufficient knowledge about disaster risks.
 Poverty and Illiteracy: Economic and educational challenges.
 Hotspots: Areas like the Hawaiian islands where volcanic activity is
common.
1. Theory of Plate Tectonics
 Definition: A scientific theory explaining the formation of major landforms
due to Earth's subterranean movements.
 Key Points:
o Earth's outer layer, the lithosphere, is divided into large rocky
plates.
o These plates rest on the asthenosphere, a partially molten layer.

o Plates move due to convection currents in the mantle, at rates of 2-


15 cm per year.
o Interactions of these plates create geological formations like
mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
2. Continental Drift
 Proposed by: Alfred Wegener in 1912.
 Concept: The supercontinent Pangaea began breaking apart 200 million
years ago.
 Evidence:
o Matching rock formations and fossils in Brazil and West Africa.

o The puzzle-like fit of South America and Africa.

3. Plate Boundaries
 Definition: The edges where tectonic plates meet.
 Types of Boundaries:
o Convergent: Plates collide, forming mountains.

o Divergent: Plates move apart, creating new crust.

o Transform: Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

 Geological Features:
o Earthquakes and volcanoes are common near plate boundaries.

o Example: The San Andreas Fault in California.


Floods
 Definition: A flood is a natural event which occurs when a piece of land
which is otherwise dry suddenly gets submerged underwater
Causes:
 Torrential rains
 dam collapse
 storm surge
 tsunami
Effects:
 Loss of life and property
 Disruption of transportation services
 halt in daily activities
 Lead to Landslides
Risk Reduction Methods :
 Mapping of flood-prone areas.
 Evacuation of livestock and people.
 Buildings in coastal areas should be built on stilts or pedestals.
 Issue warnings on television and radio.
Cyclones
 Definition: Tropical cyclones are caused by the development of sudden
low pressure over the sea leading to strong winds with thunder, lightning
and showers
Formation Conditions:
 Ocean surface temperature must be above 26.5°C.
 The warm ocean water must be at least 60 meters deep.
 These conditions occur between 5° to 20° North & South latitudes.
 There should be very little wind shear as it can stop the vertical
development of the cyclone
Coriolis Effect:
Definition: A result of the Earth’s rotation which causes moving particles
such as air to be deflected left in the southern hemisphere and right in the
northern hemisphere
As a result Cyclones Spin counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and
clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis Effect.
Effects:
 High winds & large quantities of rain.
 Loss of life & property.
 Coastal erosion.
 Vegetation die off.

Risk Reduction Methods:


 Settlements to be built away from the vulnerable coastal areas.
 Arrange for cyclone shelters to evacuate and rehabilitate people for time-
being.
 Rows of trees called ‘Shelter belts’ must be raised parallel to the coast to
obstruct and reduce the speed of the wind and surging water.
 Broadcast cyclone warnings and forecast through televisions and radios.

1. Earthquakes
Definition:
 Shaking of the Earth's surface due to the sudden release of energy in the
Earth's lithosphere, creating seismic waves.
Key Terms:
 Focus (Hypocentre): The point where the earthquake originates below
the crust.
 Epicentre: The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus,
experiencing the maximum destruction.
Causes:
 Volcanic Eruptions
 Tectonic Movements
 Folding and Faulting
 Man-made Causes (e.g., construction, explosions)
Effects:
 Collapse of buildings and materials causing loss of lives.
 Splitting of ground and destruction of roadways and railways.
 Destruction of weak constructions like roads, old buildings, etc.
 Fires, disturbance of communication lines and others disturbances.
Measurement:
 Seismograph: Instrument used to measure earthquake vibrations.
 Richter Scale: Measures the magnitude of an earthquake, ranging from
0-10.
2. Volcanoes
Definition:
 A landform where molten rocks erupt through the Earth's surface, forming
a mountain.
Formation Process:
 Magma rises through cracks in the Earth's crust.
 Pressure builds up inside the Earth.
 Pressure release causes magma to explode to the surface, forming a
volcanic eruption.
 Lava cools and forms a new crust, building up over time to create a
volcano.
Hazards Associated with Volcanic Eruptions:
 Lava Flows: Slow-moving but can cause fires and encase objects in rock.
 Pyroclastic Flows: Hot mixtures of ash, gas, rocks, and lava.
 Debris Flows: Mixtures of rock, ash, soil, and water flowing down slopes.
 Ash Clouds: Can block sunlight and are accompanied by a sulphurous
smell.
Effects of Volcanic Eruptions:
 Positive: Fertile soil for agriculture, geothermal energy opportunities, and
tourism.
 Negative: Loss of life, destruction of settlements, and environmental
changes.
Predicting Eruptions:
 Warning Signs: Small earthquakes, rising temperatures, and gas
emissions.
 Monitoring Techniques: Seismometers, thermal imaging, satellite
cameras, and chemical sensors.
3. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
Definition:
 An outburst flood occurring when water dammed by a glacier or moraine is
released.
Causes:
 Erosion
 Water pressure build-up
 Avalanches
 Earthquakes or glacier collapse
Characteristics:
 Sudden release of water.
 Rapid events lasting hours to days.
 Large downstream river discharge

Human-made Disasters
Causes of Human-made Disasters
 Poor maintenance
 Violation of maintenance and traffic rules
 Human error
 Weather failures (failing to comply by the weather conditions and
necessary cancellations)
Effects of Human-made Disasters
 Loss of life
 Loss of property (vehicle, equipment, etc. loss)
 Financial loss
 Psychological damage
Risk Reduction Measures for Human-made Disasters
 Following necessary safety guidelines
 Being alert
 Following traffic & lane rules
 Following speeding guidelines
 Being prepared & insured as required
Disaster Management in India
 NDMA: National Disaster Management Authority.
o Structure: Prime Minister as Chairman, Cabinet Minister as Vice
Chairman, eight ministers handling various responsibilities.
 Community-based Management: Awareness, training, early warning
systems, evacuation drills, search and rescue, health services, relief
coordination, water and sanitation teams.
State Government
• Responsibility to organize rescue, relief & rehabilitation.
Central Government
• Provide financial & logistic support to the state government.

You might also like