Question 1: Define 'hazard' in a geographical context.

Answer: A natural or human-induced event that has the potential to cause damage, destruction, or loss of life.

Question 2: What is 'resilience' in relation to environmental hazards?

Answer: The ability of a community or environment to recover quickly from hazards or adverse events.

Question 3: Explain the term 'climate change' and its influence on hazards like hurricanes.

Answer: Climate change refers to long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns, which can increase the frequency and severity of hazards such as hurricanes by providing more energy for storm development.

Question 4: Name two environmental hazards that frequently occur in California.

Answer: Wildfires and mudslides.

Question 5: Identify the primary cause of flooding in New Orleans.

Answer: Storm surges from hurricanes combined with high river levels and inadequate drainage systems.

Question 1: Which US state is most affected by wildfires?

Answer: California

Question 2: Describe one human activity that increases the risk of flooding in urban areas.

Answer: Urbanization leads to increased surface runoff due to concrete surfaces, reducing natural absorption of rainwater.

Question 3: Name a hurricane that significantly impacted the Gulf Coast and explain its effects.

Answer: Hurricane Katrina; it caused widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and loss of life in New Orleans.

Question 4: What are the main factors that contribute to the occurrence of wildfires in California?

Answer: Drought conditions, high temperatures, strong winds, and human activities such as campfires or discarded cigarettes.

Question 1: Analyze the social and economic impacts of the California wildfires in 2020.

Answer: The wildfires led to the displacement of thousands of residents, destruction of property, loss of livelihoods, increased firefighting costs, and long-term health impacts due to smoke inhalation.

Question 2: Evaluate the effectiveness of fire management strategies used during the California wildfires.

Answer: Strategies such as controlled burns, improved early warning systems, and community evacuation plans were partially effective but faced challenges due to extreme weather conditions and resource limitations.

Question 1: Explain why hurricanes tend to form in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Answer: Hurricanes form in these regions due to warm sea surface temperatures, which provide the energy needed for storm development. The Coriolis effect also causes rotational motion, and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic supply the moisture that fuels these storms.

Question 2: Analyse the causes of urban flooding in New Orleans.

Answer: Urban flooding in New Orleans is caused by storm surges from hurricanes, high rainfall, low-lying topography, and inadequate drainage systems, compounded by climate change-induced sea level rise.

Question 1: To what extent have the mitigation strategies for wildfires in California been successful in reducing damage?

Answer: Mitigation strategies such as prescribed burns, firebreaks, and public awareness campaigns have reduced some wildfire damages, but their success is limited by increasing drought conditions, climate change, and urban expansion into fire-prone areas. While they improve preparedness, complete prevention remains challenging.

Question 2: Evaluate the role of government policies in managing hurricane risks along the US Gulf Coast.

Answer: Government policies, including building codes, evacuation plans, and early warning systems, have significantly improved safety and reduced casualties. However, challenges remain in ensuring equitable resource distribution and adapting infrastructure to increasingly severe storms due to climate change. Overall, policies have been effective but require ongoing adaptation.