Question 1: Describe what happens during a volcanic eruption, including the types of materials that are ejected and the potential impact on nearby areas.

Answer: During a volcanic eruption, magma from beneath the Earth's crust is expelled through a vent, ejecting lava, ash, gases, and volcanic rocks. This can destroy buildings, cause ash clouds that disrupt air travel, and affect climate locally and globally.

Question 2: Explain the difference between a flood caused by heavy rainfall and a tsunami. Include how each hazard occurs and which areas are most at risk.

Answer: A flood caused by heavy rainfall occurs when river levels rise rapidly or when land cannot absorb water, leading to water overflowing onto land, often in floodplain areas. A tsunami is a large sea wave caused by underwater earthquakes or landslides, which can inundate coastal regions. Floods typically affect inland areas, while tsunamis impact coastal zones.

Question 3: List three common causes of earthquakes and briefly describe how each one occurs.

Answer: 1. Tectonic plate movements at boundaries cause stress and release energy as earthquakes. 2. Volcanic activity, where magma movement causes the Earth's crust to crack. 3. Human activities like mining or reservoir-induced seismicity can also trigger earthquakes.

Question 4: Identify and describe two ways in which communities can prepare for hurricanes.

Answer: Communities can prepare by establishing early warning systems to alert residents of an approaching hurricane and by developing evacuation plans to move people to safe areas before the storm hits.

Question 5: Draw a simple cross-section of the Earth's crust illustrating where an earthquake originates. Label the 'focus' and the 'epicenter'.

Answer: A correct sketch would show the Earth's crust with a fault line. The 'focus' (hypocenter) is the point within the Earth where the earthquake starts, located along the fault. The 'epicenter' is directly above the focus on the Earth's surface. The diagram should clearly mark both points.

Question 6: Explain why some areas are more prone to landslides after heavy rainfall.

Answer: Areas prone to landslides often have steep slopes, loose or weathered soil, and vegetation loss. Heavy rainfall increases water content in the soil, reducing its stability and causing it to slide downhill.

Question 7: Describe two ways that volcanoes can affect the climate both locally and globally.

Answer: Locally, volcanic ash can block sunlight, leading to cooling and crop damage. Globally, large eruptions release gases like sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, forming aerosols that reflect sunlight and cause temporary global cooling.

Question 8: Sketch a diagram of a hurricane showing the eye, eyewall, and spiral rainbands. Label each part.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict a large circular storm with a calm center (the eye), surrounding a dense ring of thunderstorms (eyewall), and spiral bands extending outward. Labels should clearly identify each part.

Question 9: What are three main ways governments can reduce the impact of natural hazards on their populations?

Answer: Governments can implement early warning systems, enforce building regulations to ensure structures are resilient, and educate the public about hazard preparedness and safety procedures.