Natural Hazards and Disasters

What the resources cover

Most of this page is mind maps, and many are case studies. The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 map sets out causes, effects, long-term and short-term impacts and the response, starting with the Indo-Australian plate sliding under the Eurasian plate. The Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami: Japan, 2011 map looks at why Japan is so exposed to earthquakes. The Hurricane Katrina map lists primary effects such as flooding in New Orleans and loss of electricity.

Other maps cover Mt. Pinatubo, Haiti earthquake, Soufriere Hills, Monserrat and MEDC Landslide: Aberfan, 1966. Shorter topic maps explain TORNADO and LANDSLIDES.

Where to start

1. Open the Natural Disasters mind map for the big picture: tectonic and climatic hazards, and what causes earthquakes.
2. Move to the flashcard deck Hazards: Key Concepts to learn the terms.
3. Work through the plate boundary cards in the Tectonics- EQ1, Key idea 1 deck.
4. Read the slide set how a tsunami is occurs, then choose a case study map.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then close it and try a quiz such as Responding to Tectonic Hazards or Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Quiz. Note the questions you miss and go back to the matching map. The Tropical Cyclone Signals and Avalanche quiz pages help with hazards beyond plate movement.

Flashcard decks such as Mount etna case study and Haiti Earthquake are handy for recalling facts about places. Teachers can use the maps and slide sets as ready-made starting points for lessons.

Where this unit sits

This unit belongs to the strand Hazards, Resources and Environment in Geology and earth sciences. Its resources were made by GoConqr users, so styles and depth vary. Compare a couple of maps on the same event and keep the details that suit your course.

When you're ready, pick one case study and turn it into a set of flashcards of your own.