Hazard Adaptation (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Land Use Zoning
Geophysical hazard adaptation
There are different levels of response to geophysical hazards; these are:
Individual
Community
National
International
Response and hazard management cycle
The hazard management cycle is a model that shows how the events of one hazard event inform planning and preparation for the next hazard event
Hazard management cycle
The response to a hazard will depend on a range of factors, including:
Past hazards and experiences
Level of development
Technology
Hazard perception
The type and magnitude of the hazard
Park's model shows hazard response and its link to people's quality of life
Park's model of hazard response
Increased government planning attempts to mitigate the impacts of hazard events
Land use planning or zoning is one example of this
What is land use zoning?
Hazard risk mapping uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify areas at highest risk
This is followed by land use zoning to prevent development in these areas
Planning ensures that valuable services such as the fire service, hospitals and schools are not built in these areas
Information can also be shared with the population
In LICs, rapid urban growth means that illegal settlements may be built in high-risk areas due to a lack of awareness
Land use zoning in Christchurch, New Zealand
Land use zoning in Christchurch
The 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand led to the creation of red zones
These are areas that suffered severe damage in both earthquakes
In the red zones, rebuilding is not permitted
Properties and land in the red zones were bought by the government:
Approximately 125 households opted to stay (2%)
These households no longer have insurance, postal or bus services
The land is now managed by Land Information New Zealand (LNZ) and much of it has been turned into parkland
Personal Resilience
In addition to government planning, people can take individual and community actions. These include:
Increased preparedness
Use of insurance
Adoption of new technology
Increased preparedness
Drills educate people about what to do during a hazard event. These increase resilience because:
People are more likely to take actions that will protect them during and after the event
In 2023 over 56.5 million people worldwide participated in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills
Building codes
Adherence to building regulations when constructing buildings decreases the number of buildings that collapse
In LICs people are less likely to follow building regulations due to:
Lack of education regarding the importance of building regulations
Cost of following building regulations
Lack of enforcement of the building regulations
Use of insurance
Insurance increases resilience because:
Payouts are usually faster and larger than government assistance
This increases the speed of recovery and the ability to rebuild/repair
It may encourage people to prepare and retrofit buildings to reduce the cost of insurance
Earthquake insurance
Earthquake insurance covers damage to property and possessions as well as living expenses for temporary accommodation
Standard insurance does not usually include coverage for earthquake events
The cost of earthquake insurance increases with the risk:
In California the cost is high as the state is located on multiple fault lines
The cost is also affected by the:
Age of the building – newer buildings are built of better materials and can be earthquake-resistant
Number of stories – taller buildings are at greater risk of collapse
Materials used – wood frames are more flexible and less likely to collapse
Foundations – raised foundations and foundations in sandy soil reduce the risk of collapse
In Japan, residents can claim tax deductions on earthquake insurance, which reduces the cost
Advantages and disadvantages of earthquake insurance
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
Property damage and loss of possessions are covered In low-risk areas, the cost of insurance is lower The cost of alternative accommodation is covered if you are not able to return to your property | The cost is higher if you are in a high-risk area; this can make it unaffordable for people on lower incomes The excess (the amount paid by the insured person towards the costs) is higher for earthquake insurance – it may be a percentage of the value of the property |
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