geography

What defines a natural hazard?

It has a social impact, causing damage or loss of life.

What are tectonic hazards?

Natural events like earthquakes and volcanoes caused by plate movements.

How do oceanic and continental crusts differ?

Oceanic crust is thinner and denser than continental crust.

What happens at a destructive plate margin?

One plate is subducted, leading to earthquakes and volcanoes.

What are primary effects of a natural hazard?

Immediate impacts on people and buildings during the event.

What is a high-income country (HIC)?

A country with a GNI over $12,000 per person.

How does the earthquake in Chile compare to Italy's?

Chile's earthquake was more powerful and caused greater damage.

What are secondary effects of a natural hazard?

Aftereffects that occur over a longer time scale.

What is climate change's impact on natural hazards?

It increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

What is the role of decomposers in ecosystems?

They recycle nutrients back into the soil for plants.

What defines a tropical rainforest?

High temperatures and rainfall with rich biodiversity.

What are the adaptations of plants in deserts?

They have deep roots and water-storing capabilities.

What is desertification?

The process of land becoming desert due to various factors.

What are the effects of deforestation?

Loss of biodiversity and increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

What is the greenhouse effect?

Trapping of heat in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases.

How do tropical storms form?

Warm air over oceans rises, creating low pressure and strong winds.

What is the difference between hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons?

They differ by their location of formation.

What are the impacts of climate change on sea levels?

Rising temperatures lead to melting ice and higher sea levels.

What is the significance of the eye of a storm?

It is a calm center surrounded by the storm's strongest winds.

What are the characteristics of constructive waves?

Low waves that deposit sand and create gentle beaches.

What causes coastal erosion?

Hydraulic action, abrasion, and attrition from waves.

What is a floodplain?

Flat areas beside rivers that are fertile and prone to flooding.

What is the purpose of hard engineering in flood management?

To control water flow and prevent flooding through structures.

What are the effects of glacial erosion?

Formation of valleys, lakes, and unique landforms.

What is the role of tourism in glacial areas?

It provides economic opportunities but can lead to environmental damage.

What are the adaptations of animals in cold environments?

Thick fur, fat layers, and behaviors like hibernation.

What is the impact of climate change on ecosystems?

Loss of habitats, increased extinction rates, and altered species distributions.