Geography Revision

Revision materials to support you in preparing for your GCSE Geography exams.

GCSE | AQA | The Challenge of Natural Hazards | Managing tectonic hazards

Revision Notes

Why do people live in tectonically active areas?

Managing tectonic hazards

Interactive Revision

Flashcards

Quiz

Managing tectonic hazards

Several approaches are taken to reduce the risk associated with tectonic hazards. Prediction, monitoring, protection, and planning aim to reduce the damage that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions cause to people and property.

Strategy	Volcanic Eruptions	Earthquakes
Monitoring	Continuous surveillance using seismographs, gas sensors, and satellite imagery to detect signs of volcanic activity. Radon and sulphur gas monitoring involve measuring the concentration of these gases emitted by the volcano. Increases in gas emission can indicate magma movement beneath the surface.	Use of seismographs to monitor earth movements. Installation of GPS systems to detect land deformation. Radon detection involves measuring changes in radon gas levels in the ground, which can sometimes precede earthquakes.
Prediction	Analysing patterns of seismic activity, gas emissions, and changes in the volcano’s shape to forecast eruptions.	Forecasting is challenging but involves statistical analysis of seismic data to estimate probabilities of future earthquakes.
Protection	Constructing barriers or channels to divert lava flows away from populated areas. Enhancing the strength of buildings to withstand ash fall.	Engineering buildings and infrastructure to withstand seismic forces. Retrofitting older structures to improve earthquake resilience.
Planning	Developing evacuation plans and routes. Establishing exclusion zones around volcanoes. Educating the public about emergency procedures.	Developing strict building codes for earthquake-prone areas. Conducting earthquake drills and public education campaigns on preparedness.