UNIT 4 GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH

• USGS (reliable resource) Earthquakes especially seem to be increasing; 1987-97, 15 earthquakes 7+ Richter Scale. 1997-07 99 7+ Richter Scale.

• Changes in technology, Global Communications --> MEDIA, Seismograph Stations.

• Worldwide catastrophes occuring more frequently. Past decades recording natural events could of proved difficult.

• EMDAT is a database which stores information on natural disasters. On it you can find the number, and global dispersal of disasters per year separated into their different categories.  (RISK EQUATION)

• They are also becoming costlier and deadlier, according to Swiss Re, a reinsurance company.

• World Population has reached 7billion (World Bank). More places to be exploited even in high risk areas.

• Predicted that 600 million people will live in these areas by 2025.

• Ignorance --> Where economic development is low, lack of education, unaware of the risk

• Inertia --> Always lived there

• Nowhere else to go --> People may lack the financial resources to move, especially if all the family lives there.

• Choice --> Maybe aware of the risks but choose to live there anyway (fertile soils, tourism etc)

• Death toll --> Primary (building collapsing, trapped by lava/gas) --> Secondary (survive intial hazard but die afterwards) lack of emergency medical care, insufficent resources. --> Tertiary (medical conditions aggravated by the event)

• People Injured

• Disruption to Community

• Disruption to Life

LEDCs HIGH HUMAN COST

• DIRECT COSTS --> Repairing damages, repairing infrastructure

• INDIRECT COSTS --> Loss of earnings, loss of business. 

MEDCs HIGH ECONOMIC COST

• Long Term --> Impacts of Disasters...Changes in Technology, Predictability, Preparation, Infrastructure, Warning Systems, Evacuation.

• Short Term --> Parks Model

• Impacts and Variation (Long and Short Term) dependant on specific factors...

• Type of Hazard

• Economic Development

• Preparation

• Speed of Relief

• Nature of Recovery