1. Response to Tectonic Hazards
How people cope with tectonic hazards and the issues for the future

2. Varying Approaches of individuals and governments to coping with tectonic hazards in different countries .
Preparation:
The government can place building laws on where to place buildings to minimize loss, death and injury during an event.
Prediction: Various methods such as satellites, river flow metres and seismic monitors can be used to forecast when an incident will occur.
Prevention:
Methods that can be put into place to stop or minimize damages and loss due to an incident. E.g. Flood defences in the event of a tsunami ; for example the flooding in Japan after an earthquake in 2011 could have be minimised with greater flood defences.
These methods and technologies often cost a lot of money and therefore in LEDCS equipment to predict and manage hazards is lacking. They are often less well prepared than MEDCS.

3. The varying approaches of individuals and governments in MEDCS
*No fly zones after volcanic eruptions
The Icelandic volcano caused enormous disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe over six days in April About 20 countries closed their airspace (a condition known as ATC Zero) .
*Volcano hazards programme- national volcano early warning system.
In America the U.S geological survey proposed a national scale plan to ensure that volcanoes are monitored at levels proportional to their threats.
*Close monitoring of seismic activities using advanced technology- though this isn’t always reliable...
for example Japan has probably the most advanced earthquake detection system in the world, yet was caught completely unaware by the Kobe Earthquake of 1995.

4. Educational programmes- e. g
Educational programmes- e.g. in schools, programmes have been put in place to teach children what to do in the event of an earthquake.
Pupils practice an earthquake drill on the 1st September every year in Japan.
These can be used in MEDCS and LEDCS as they are affordable and either government run or can be taught by NGO’S.
Government plans and warning systems can be used to warn residents by television or radio broadcasts.
Individuals in MEDCS tend to be aware of tectonic risks so can prepare themselves or move away from the area.

5. The varying approaches of individuals and governments in LEDCS
Earthquake proof housing is expensive, so in developing countries appropriate technology can be used to protect people.

6. Individuals such as farmers notice unusual animal behaviour before a tectonic event and report it to the government
In China during January 1975 they received reports of strange animal behaviour. Animals such as cattle and horses which had become restless, refused to enter buildings or seemed frightened for no obvious reason. In February that year a major earthquake struck.
Lack of emergency services and poor communication links in Less Economically Developed Countries mean that people are not rescued as quickly, or cared for as well.

7. Effectiveness of Methods
No Fly Zones – Icelandic no fly zone time meant that no planes crashed yet it didn’t last long due to the economic cost it was having, might not happen again if a similar event occurs.
Early Warning Systems – very useful regarding volcanoes but don’t provide a long enough period of time for help regarding Earthquakes, it is also not useful if ignored such as in Bangladesh where some warnings were wrong, causing the public to not take notice of them.
Unusual Animal behaviour – when noticed it is very useful but it is not the most reliable method due to there being many reasons for unusual behaviour
No Fly Zones – Icelandic no fly zone time meant that no planes crashed yet it didn’t last long due to the economic cost it was having, might not happen again if a similar event occurs.
Early Warning Systems – very useful regarding volcanoes but don’t provide a long enough period of time for help regarding Earthquakes, it is also not useful if ignored such as in Bangladesh where some warnings were wrong, causing the public to not take notice of them.
Unusual Animal behaviour – when noticed it is very useful but it is not the most reliable method due to there being many reasons for unusual behaviour
Educational Programmes – effective regarding the strength of the hazard or time given, e.g. A very powerful earthquake might make the educational proggrame pointless, more useful for volcanoes
Specialist Architecture – have saved many lives but very expensive. Very noticeable in Japan which is frequently hit by earthquakes and are very reliable. Cheaper alternatives such as Bamboo for LEDCs are effective but not as reliable as expensive MEDC equivalents, however are much cheaper and easier to replace.

8. Educational Programmes – effective regarding the strength of the hazard or time given, e.g. A very powerful earthquake might make the educational proggrame pointless, more useful for volcanoes
Specialist Architecture – have saved many lives but very expensive. Very noticeable in Japan which is frequently hit by earthquakes and are very reliable. Cheaper alternatives such as Bamboo for LEDCs are effective but not as reliable as expensive MEDC equivalents, however are much cheaper and easier to replace.

9. Investment in specialist architecture in earthquake prone zones such as southern California. ‘Page 267 Edexcel a2 geography’
Buildings in MEDCS are more likely to withstand an earthquake, because they are designed to withstand tremors. They may have seismic isolators (e.g. Japan) or deep foundations (e.g. USA).

10. How people cope at different stages of the event.
Each stage of an event requires specific strategies in order to minimise the overall effect of an event, the before, during and after principle.
There are varying strategies used at different phases.
This depends on the current phase of the hazard when it is implemented
There are 4 ‘phases’ – Pre-Disaster, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.

11. Pre-Disaster Modifying the cause:
This is before the Event has occurred, Here it is important to MODIFY THE CAUSE of the hazards.
Modifying the cause:
This involves using soft strategies to prevent and mitigate hazards e.g.. afforestation to increase green water flow to prevent flooding.
Environmental control
Hazard prevention
This is effective for small-scale hazards, e.g.. Landslides, Avalanches and Floods. Will not work for context hazards.
Pre-Disaster
This is not a physical modification. Fairly low cost compared to the physical methods, and is likely to be a more bottom-up approach, needing the support of the public.

12. Relief Modifying Vulnerability:
This begins within a few hours of the event occurring, up until 2 – 3 days have passed, this often involves outside help, whether national or internationally. Search and rescue teams often act in these vital moments.
Relief
Modifying Vulnerability:
Vulnerability is greatly affected by a few factors:
Early warning systems
Hazard Prediction
Community preparedness
Attitudes to potential hazards are also a major issue, for example how educated are the community on what to do if…? Many people acknowledge the risk and choose to ignore it which could be detrimental in the long run.

13. Increased Vulnerability
Reduced Vulnerability
Population Growth
Urbanisation
Urban sprawl
Environmental degradation
Community forgetting about previous hazards, and forgetting the risks.
Ageing population
Ageing infrastructure
Greater reliance on Electricity
Over-reliance on ‘the techno fix’
Early warning systems
Quality Emergency-response systems
Economic wealth
Government disaster-assistance strategies
Insurance
Community initiatives
Scientific understanding
Hazard engineering

14. Modifying Loss: Rehabilitation
This is in the days and weeks after the original event, where people may have survived the initial hazard, there is other externalities such as a lack of clean water supply, food shortages, no electricity is a possibility. This is when it is important to try to modify the loss
Rehabilitation
Modifying Loss:
In the rehabilitation phase there are two major differences, in LEDCs there are different concerns to MEDCs.
LEDCs loss is more physical than economic, but the relative economic loss is still high.
MEDCs major losses are economic, but usually much lower death rates.
Poorer nations rely on Aid from their Governments and also internationally from the richest nations, without this they would simply not be able to cope
Richer nations find insurance more useful, and during this rehabilitation phase, many claims are made on behalf of their property damage. This can lead to insurance companies becoming dependant on government to fulfil their insurance payouts.

15. Modifying the event: Reconstruction
This begins weeks or months after the original event, and is continued for many years. The aim is not just to reach normality as soon as possible, but to improve on it.
Modifying the event:
Increased environmental control
Hazard avoidance by land-use zoning.
Hazard-resistant technology in designs e.g.. Creating buildings that are designed to resist earthquakes
Engineering defences for coastal floods along with river floods.
Retro fitting of homes for protection “Retrofitting refers to the addition of new technology or features to older systems. E.g.. power plant retrofit, improving power plant efficiency / increasing output ...”
This phase involves the permanent rebuilding of physical and social infrastructure.

16. COST
BENEFIT
LEDC
Communication may be difficult (LEDC) which means that people are less educated on what to do in the event of a hazard.
Primary damage to infrastructure, property and businesses – construction standards are much lower than that MEDC, buildings are less likely to withstand the impact.
Collapse of buildings, or direct impact cause high death tolls – usually the vulnerable .
Evacuation can be difficult due to lack of resources and funding e.g. from aid
People may have to live in emergency housing for a long time. Crowded areas can cause problems.
Less coverage – less aid given.
Technology is not advanced = no warning systems in place
Help of emergency aid can help save lives.
Long term aid and help from charities can help restore the area and train/ teach people for future events.
More coverage – more aid given (depending on area)

17. COST
BENIFIT
MEDC
Cost of buildings is high, loss of businesses = more money lost –damage to the economy
People may have to live in emergency housing
Government have to pay out high re settlement funds
Money allows the country to be able to rebuild damaged property – most likely to a better standard of LEDCs
Better communication, education – people are trained .
Western – more publicity/coverage.
Buildings can withstand impact.
People evacuated quicker and more efficiently = smaller death toll
Money allows latest technology to predict approaching hazards

18. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia- 16950361