1. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Geohazards that might affect
us

2. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
What Earth processes can affect us?
Geohazards that might
affect us today are:
• landslide
• flood
• the effects of a
volcanic eruption
• earthquake
• tsunami

3. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Landslide
Landslides are triggered
where:
• slopes are steep
• rocks are weak or
fractured
• erosion undermines a
slope
• water builds up in the
ground
• earthquakes strike
• human activities are
poorly planned

4. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Collapse
But, even on flat ground:
• Foundations on weak
rock can subside.
• Old mine workings can
collapse.
• Soluble rocks below
ground can dissolve.

5. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Flood
Floods occur:
• in low-lying areas
• after a storm upstream
• after many wet days
upstream
• if snow melts quickly
• when rivers overflow
• on stormy coasts at
high tide
• if dams burst

6. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Flood mayhem
It’s not just the amount of
water in a flood:
• There are thick mud
and silt deposits.
• Sewers overflow.
• Large objects are
swept away:
bridges, houses,
embankments, cars.
• There is electrical
danger.

7. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Eruption afar
There are no active volcanoes in the UK, but a major eruption
elsewhere may cause:
• a volcanic winter – from ash and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere
• drought over great regions
• widespread crop failure in summer, bitter cold in winter
• the whole Earth cooled
• fantastic sunsets

8. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Eruption on your doorstep
Catastrophic effects include:
• blast: 30 km+ • tsunami
– everything is destroyed – a great wave in coastal areas
• glowing cloud • lava flow
– a red-hot current of ash – rarely kills because you can get
– travelling with speeds of 100 km/h+ out of the way
• lahar
– waterlogged volcanic ash flooding
down valleys

9. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Earthquakes in the UK
• They are not big enough to make
surface waves, so little damage
occurs.
• We can feel seismic waves.
• Recent UK earthquakes:
www.quakes.bgs.ac.uk/recent_events/recent_events.html
• Earthquakes are plotted from
eyewitness accounts.
• If you feel an earthquake, send in
your evidence:
www.quakes.bgs.ac.uk/questionnaire/EqQuestIntroB.html

10. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Earthquake
In a catastrophic earthquake:
• The ground rises and falls in waves. • There may be a tsunami – a huge
• There is total destruction of wave in coastal areas.
non-flexible structures. • Many die afterwards from disease.
• People are killed by falling buildings – • The most recent big earthquake:
outside is safest. earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/
• There is risk from falling glass and fire recenteqsww/index.php?old
storms. =world.html

11. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Tsunami
These huge waves produced by
volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or
submarine landslides:
• can form waves over 40 m high
• can reach speeds of 1000 km/h
• can travel 10 000 km across oceans,
killing thousands in coastal areas
• can trick you, because water first
draws back from the coast – and
then thunders back in

12. P1 The Earth in the Universe • IP1.8
Worry? – Us?
• Major eruptions and earthquakes • But – could a geohazard happen
affect only the active zones of the here?
Earth.
• What might its effects be?
• They don’t happen in the UK.