DISCUSSION QUESTION

Chapter 1

  1. Explain how a recurrence interval for a natural disaster may be misleading.
  2. Explain ways in which media reporting may underemphasize the impact of a natural disaster.
  3. Explain how the impacts of a natural disaster may be enhanced in a less-wealthy community as compared to a wealthy community.
  4. In reference to the figure below, describe examples of activities that are associated with the different stages of disaster relief.

Chapter 2

  1. Discuss the differences between the internal energy and external energy of the Earth. What are examples of the effects these energy sources produce?
  2. Explain the possible combinations of plate types that may be present in a convergent boundary setting and describe the major features of these combinations.
  3. Explain the most common types of faulting as they are associated with each of the three types of tectonic plate boundaries.

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the methods used to manually calculate the epicenter of an earthquake.
  2. Explain the difference between the Modified Mercalli and the Richter magnitude scales when used to describe an earthquake. What is each based on?
  3. With respect to the figure below, discuss the concept of earthquake early warning systems, how they work, and their potential usefulness.
  4. Discuss the choices societies must make as they relate to managing the risk to people and property as a result of earthquakes.

Chapter 6

  1. Explain how an earthquake can generate a tsunami and provide examples.
  2. Describe some secondary and tertiary disaster effects of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami?
  3. In terms of tsunami prediction, explain how the NOAA Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis system works.
  4. In the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, discuss the main reconstruction plan for Rikuzentakata, Japan.

Earthquakes

  1. Briefly explain the locations of the 2 greatest earthquake risk areas in Canada in terms of their geological setting.
  2. What mitigation strategies are now being employed in British Columbia to reduce the risks associated with potential future earthquakes in this seismically active region?
  3. Explain how P-wave alert/warning systems work and some advantages and disadvantages associated with them.