Question 1: Define a natural hazard and explain how it differs from a natural disaster.

Answer: A natural hazard is a naturally occurring event that has the potential to cause damage or harm, such as an earthquake or flood. A natural disaster occurs when a hazard actually causes significant destruction and impacts human life or property.

Question 2: Describe the process by which a tsunami is generated after an undersea earthquake.

Answer: An undersea earthquake causes a sudden displacement of the sea floor, which displaces a large volume of water. This displacement generates a series of waves, known as a tsunami, that travel across the ocean at high speed toward coastal areas.

Question 3: Identify and explain two factors that influence the severity of a volcanic eruption.

Answer: Firstly, the amount of magma pressure beneath the volcano influences eruption severity—higher pressure can lead to more violent eruptions. Secondly, the composition of the magma, such as its viscosity, affects how explosively it erupts; more viscous magma traps gases, increasing the likelihood of explosive eruptions.

Question 4: Explain how climate change might influence the frequency and intensity of floods.

Answer: Climate change leads to increased temperatures, which can cause more intense and prolonged rainfall events, raising the risk of flooding. Melting glaciers and rising sea levels also increase the likelihood of coastal and river floods.

Question 5: Describe the main differences between a hurricane and a tornado.

Answer: A hurricane is a large-scale tropical storm with sustained winds over 74 mph, forming over warm ocean waters and affecting large areas. A tornado is a smaller, intense vortex of wind that forms over land, usually from severe thunderstorms, with wind speeds that can exceed 300 mph, but over a much smaller area.

Question 6: Discuss two ways in which people can prepare for earthquakes to reduce their risk.

Answer: People can prepare by securing heavy furniture and objects to prevent injury during shaking, and by creating emergency plans that include evacuation routes and supply kits to ensure safety and survival.

Question 7: Sketch a simple diagram illustrating the process of a lava flow from a volcano. Label the key features.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a volcano with flowing lava down its slopes, with labels indicating the 'vent,' 'lava flow,' and 'crater.' The lava should be depicted as a flowing, molten substance moving outward from the crater.

Question 8: Identify three environmental impacts of volcanic eruptions.

Answer: Volcanic eruptions can cause ash fall that damages plant life, lava flows that destroy habitats, and release gases that contribute to air pollution and acid rain.

Question 9: Explain why some areas are more prone to earthquakes than others.

Answer: Areas near active tectonic plate boundaries are more prone to earthquakes because of the movement and interaction of plates, such as subduction zones and transform faults, which generate stress and release energy as seismic activity.

Question 10: Describe how the physical landscape influences the impact of a flood event.

Answer: Low-lying areas and regions with poor drainage are more vulnerable to flooding, as water accumulates more easily. Steep slopes can cause rapid runoff, increasing flood risk downstream.