Topic 1: Tectonic Processes & Hazards (Edexcel A-Level Geography): Revision Notes

Tectonic hazard management: mitigation and adaptation

The Swiss Cheese Model

Suggests that hazard and disaster risk can be ↓ by:

• Reducing the weaknesses in the previous system

• ↓ the size of the gaps in the system or the scale of the systems weaknesses The framework for tectonic hazard management:

• Modifying the hazard event

• Modifying the vulnerability and resilience

• Modifying the loss

  

The Swiss Cheese Model

Modifying the hazard event

Earthquakes

Utilise either micro or macro protection techniques

↳ Micro: 🔗 Strengthening individual building and structures against hazardous stress

↳ Macro: 🔗 Large-scale protective measures designed to protect entire communities

• Micro approaches are mainly used in tectonic hazards

  • In Earthquakes, most energy is focused on public buildings such as hospitals and schools
  • Recently there has been a focus on improving the planning frameworks for private housing

• Often avoided by ↓ the number of settlements on plate boundaries Tsunamis

• No technologies can prevent them

• Engineering solutions include:

  • Tsunami walls
  • Mangroves (natural)
  • Offshore barriers Volcanoes

• Once hazard has started:

  • Diverting or cooling the lava flows

• Hazard zoning maps forecast where the biggest dangers are and utilise land-use zoning to stop people living there

Modifying vulnerability and resilience

1. Hazard risk mapping
2. Land-use zoning
3. Food supplies
4. Monitoring and warning systems
5. Construction w/ hazard resistant designs
6. Investment in services

• Improve healthcare preparedness
• Educate communities about hazards and how to protect themselves

7. Better evacuation routes

Modifying loss

1. Rescue teams
2. Emergency relief aid
3. Community volunteers - trained for such events
4. Insurance
5. Evacuation
6. Development aid