Reducing the Impact of Tectonic Hazards
Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 1.2.24
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.
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.
Prediction
- It is very difficult to reliably predict earthquakes.
- Looking at tectonic plate boundaries helps us know where earthquakes are likely to happen.
Test yourself on Reducing the Impact of Tectonic Hazards
What recording device is used to detect movements in the Earth's crust?
What signals can indicate a volcanic eruption is about to happen?
Which tectonic hazard is easier to predict?