Natural HazardsNatural Hazardsandand

Our Dynamic Our Dynamic PlanetPlanet

LAB 7LAB 7

What natural hazards do What natural hazards do dynamic events cause?dynamic events cause?

• Our planet is dynamic Our planet is dynamic because it is powerful, because it is powerful,

active active

and ever-changing.and ever-changing.

Key QuestionKey Question::

• ConvectionConvection in the mantle in the mantle causes the tectonic plates to causes the tectonic plates to move and interact with each move and interact with each

other.other.

• Natural hazards such as Natural hazards such as earthquakes & volcanoes to earthquakes & volcanoes to occur at plate boundaries.occur at plate boundaries.

Recent Earthquakes

Volcano Hazards Program

Consider what might happen if an earthquake occurred in your

community...-What would happen to dams,

reservoirs, or water supply stations?

-What would happen to schools, homes, and government buildings?

-What would happen to electrical power plants

and power lines?-What would happen to local hospitals?

Earthquake HazardsEarthquake Hazards• Buildings and bridges collapse• Roads crack• Fires blaze due to ruptured gas lines• Landslides occur because shaking cause rock to slide downhill

• Earthquake vibrations can cause wet soil to act like quick sand (Liquefaction)

• Dams fail and cause flooding

Local conditions

Earthquakes cannot be predicted…• As population continues to increase

building on active seismic zones is unavoidable

• These are some factors to consider when assessing potential

earthquake hazards for a particular area: Closeness to active earthquake

faults Seismic history of the region

Building constructionEarthquake Magnitude Simulation

• Natural hazards such as Natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions also occur at volcanic eruptions also occur at

plate boundariesplate boundaries

• Hazards from a volcanic eruption vary based on the

type of volcano

Consider what might happen if an volcanic eruption occurred in your

community...-What would happen to dams,

reservoirs, or water supply stations?

-What would happen to schools, homes, and government buildings?

-What would happen to electrical power plants

and power lines?-What would happen to local hospitals?

Low Gas ContentLow Gas Content

High Gas ContentHigh Gas Content

• Lava streams burn all in their path

• Aircrafts endangered from ash in the atmosphere

• Roofs collapse, cities and surrounding landscape covered from ash fall & flow

• Volcanic pollution

Volcano HazardsVolcano Hazards

Volcanic eruptions Volcanic eruptions cancan be be predicted…predicted…

The surface of the volcano swells upward

Gases begin to escape from around the volcano

Minor earthquakes in the area beneath the volcano become much

more common