1.7 Is it rational to choose to live in hazard-prone areas?

1. 1.7 Is it rational to choose to live in hazard-prone areas?

2. Tsunami 2004 Indonesia Before the tsunami over 150,000 deaths After the tsunami Banda Aceh, Indonesia (Credit: UNESCO)

3. Volcanic eruption 1997 Montserrat 23 deaths Buried much of the southern part of the island Montserrat in the Caribbean

4. Direction of plate movement Pamirs Earthquake 1998 Afghanistan Himalayas over 4,000 deaths The Himalayan area

5. What is a rational decision? Why do people live in hazard-prone areas? Are their decisions rational? A rational person will consider whether possible gains are greater than possible losses, for both staying and leaving. It is dangerous to live in hazard-prone areas. Since people weigh gains and losses differently, the final decision to move or stay is a subjective one. Possible gains and losses of staying behind Possible gains and losses of leaving

6. What is a rational decision? Leave? Secure new job Re-establish social links

7. What is a rational decision? Stay? Reduce future loss Restore productivity Rebuild home or business Exploit new resources Take out insurance Reduce vulnerability Change the way of living Move to hazard-proof structure in the same area

8. What do people consider when deciding to stay or leave hazard-prone areas? Leave? Stay? 1 Risks 3 Social links 2 Opportunities 4 Limitations on migrations

9. Are people’s decisions rational? This depends on their subjective but careful evaluation of ... the possible gains from the opportunities offered by tectonic processes the perceived risk of hazards happening in the area Leave? Stay? the possible gains if one leaves the hazard-prone area the possible losses if one leaves the hazard-prone area

11. 1 Risks The perception of the risk of hazards varies greatly among people. What make the perceptions of people different? Education level One’s character Past experience Religious background

12. 1 Risks Overlook the risk when the hazard has not occurred for a long time Believing the government can provide protection, warning, evacuation and relief work It is improbable for a hazard to strike the same place twice Unaware of hazards and their history It is useless to avoid hazard as it is an ‘act of God’ Leave, as it is too dangerous to stay

13. 2 Opportunities A Geothermal power There is intense heat below the earth’s surface. What kind of power can it generate? People choose to live in tectonic hazard-prone areas since internal processes bring job opportunities and wealth to them. The hot water and steam found in volcanic areas can be used to generate ___________ power. geothermal It is renewable and clean. Therefore it is a more preferred energy resource. Electricity generated by geothermal power in Iceland (Credit: Gerth/Blickwinkel)

14. 2 Opportunities Geothermal power becomes the primary energy resource in Iceland A Geothermal power Primary energy consumption in Iceland, 1940-2006 Source: <http://www.geoberg.de/text/geology/07020201.php> and Statistics Iceland

15. (Credit: McPHOTO/Blickwinkel) 2 Opportunities B Metals and minerals When magma cools and solidifies below the earth’s surface, it forms rocks containing _______ and _________. metals minerals Many metals and minerals have economic value to people, for example, iron ore and diamonds. Manganese mineral

16. Which mineral is more commonly found at plate boundaries? 2 Opportunities B Metals and minerals World distribution of major metals and precious stones

17. 2 Opportunities C Fertile soil Volcanic ash is rich in minerals. Weathering of solidified ____ produce fertile soil. lava nutrients They provide ________ for crop growth and attract farmers. Farmland at the foothill of Mount Mayon in the Philippines (Credit: Paul A. Souders/Corbis)

18. 2 Opportunities D Tourist attractions Many volcanic areas and areas with folds and faults are scenic spots. Mount Fuji in Japan is a well-known volcanic area with beautiful scenery The Alps are famous fold mountains in the world Mount Fuji, Japan The Alps

19. 2 Opportunities D Tourist attractions Hot springs geysers ___________ and ________ are both flows of hot water coming from underground to the surface in volcanic areas. Geysers are spectacular natural fountains. They flow intermittently in jets of hot water or steam The water from hot springs usually contains minerals and are said to be good to our health Developing these scenic spots provide job opportunities, higher incomes and a better living standard to local people. A geyser at Yellowstone National Park, the USA A hot spring in Japan (Credit: Reuters/OTHK) (Credit: Jeff Henry/Corbis)

20. 3 Social links Strongties to one’s motherland and ancestors prevent people from moving away. People have strong feelings for their friends and relatives, and their own culture. The weakening of the social bond is considered a great loss. People have strong social bond in their hometown (Credit: Ng Kim Hung)

21. 4 Limitations on migrations A Political barriers There are strict population and immigration policies for every country. Migration is not free among countries, or sometimes even within a country.

22. Desert landscape: too _____ B Physical constraints Polar landscape: too ______ cold dry Mountain landscape: too ________ rugged Tropical rainforest landscape: too _____ wet Many places are free from tectonic hazards, but why are they sparsely populated?