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Reducing the Impact of Tectonic Hazards

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Reducing the Impact of Tectonic Hazards

It is difficult to reduce the impact of tectonic hazards. Scientists cannot predict when earthquakes will happen until a few seconds before they happen. Monitoring and prediction are two ways to reduce the impact.

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Monitoring

  • Using seismometers to detect movements in the Earth can help to predict tectonic hazards, but they only give a few minutes of warning.
  • Before volcanic eruptions, small earthquakes, oozing magma or sulfur gas emissions can be warning signs. Keeping watch for any of these things can help to save lives.
  • Monitoring volcanoes is easier than monitoring earthquakes.
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Prediction

  • It is very difficult to reliably predict earthquakes.
  • Looking at tectonic plate boundaries helps us know where earthquakes are likely to happen.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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