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geo tectonic hazards question

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geo tectonic hazards question
“The extent to which tectonic processes represent hazards depends on when and where they are experienced.”
Tectonic hazards are dangers caused by the movement of the earth’s plates. The majority of hazards represent by plate tectonic occur at plate margins where two plates meet. These natural processes become hazardous when they affect people and cause material losses such as the destruction of infrastructure as this inhibits sustainable development. These hazards can be reduced depending on when and where they are experienced. MEDCs such as Japan have accurate forecast and warning systems. People in MEDCs affected by natural hazards are also better educated to prepare them and help them protect their lives and property.
Earthquakes are an example of a tectonic hazard. Earthquakes are created at plate margins when stress if released as the plates move. The energy released by the plate creates powerful oscillations that can be devastating to populated areas. Such as the earthquake in Northridge California which lies on the San Andreas fault. Since the represented hazard was near a densely populated area the damage was quite severe. Whereas in places like New Zealand, Christchurch where the population is less dense the effects are lessened drastically.
The severity of tectonic hazards, are also determined by when they are experienced. An example of this is the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. The earthquake occurred at 23:51 since it occurred at a time when the majority of the population was asleep and there was no congestion only 185 people died. Scientists estimated that an exponential amount of people would have died if the earthquake had occurred during the day. The earthquake in Haiti occurred at 16:53 during this time the majority of the population would have been at work or on their way to school. This added to the severity of the hazard, which contributed to the death toll of 160,000. However the location of the focus also contributed to the

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