Mitigation & Adaptation (Edexcel A Level Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Bridgette Barrett
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
Disaster Modification
Strategies to manage and reduce the impact of tectonic hazards can be divided into three groups - modification of the:
Event
Vulnerability, increasing resilience
Loss
These strategies involve mitigation or adaptation
Modification of the event
This happens before the event occurs
Modifying earthquakes is challenging because they occur without warning
Construction of earthquake-resistant buildings can help to reduce the impacts on people
Modifying volcanic hazards can be achieved by:
Hazard risk mapping using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify areas at highest risk followed by land use zoning to prevent development in these areas
Draining crater lakes reduces the chance of lahars
Barriers and channels can also be constructed to divert lava flows
Modifying tsunamis can be achieved by:
Using land use zoning to prevent construction at the coast
Building offshore barriers
Building sea walls - Japan has increased the height of sea walls in some areas to over 12 meters
Replanting mangrove forests
Reduction of Vulnerability & Increasing Resilience
Modification of vulnerability
This happens before the event occurs
Vulnerability can be reduced and the resilience of populations increased in a number of ways:
Land use zoning - ensuring that people are not living in high-risk areas
Hazard resistant buildings
Improved services and infrastructure
Hazard risk mapping using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify areas at highest risk
Planning of evacuation routes
Education of the population to ensure that they know the actions to take when a hazard event occurs - earthquake drills
Improved storage of food, water and medical supplies so sufficient are available
Monitoring and warning systems to allow people time to evacuate
Reduction of Loss
Modification of loss
This happens after the event occurs
Loss can be reduced by efficient and effective aid and recovery, which can be achieved in a range of ways:
Evacuation - moving people away from the area that has experienced destruction/damage
This is particularly important after earthquakes when there are likely to be aftershocks which cause further damage
Search and rescue teams, who are well-equipped and trained
Emergency aid - food, water, medical aid to ensure survival
Short-term aid - shelter, reconnecting of water and electricity supplies
Development aid - long-term aid to help with reconstruction and recovery
Insurance - to help people rebuild
Local communities - supporting each other, providing shelter and helping with the search and rescue effort
Aid may be provided by:
Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as the Red Cross, Medicin San Frontiers and Disasters Emergency Committee
Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs) such as the UN and World Bank
National and local government
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