Unit 3: Climate Change & Natural Disasters

Front

What is the primary cause of earthquakes?

Back

Movement of tectonic plates

Answer explanation

The primary cause of earthquakes is the movement of tectonic plates. These plates shift and interact at their boundaries, leading to the release of energy that causes seismic activity, resulting in earthquakes.

Front

How are tornadoes formed?

Back

Tornadoes are formed from powerful thunderstorms.

Answer explanation

Tornadoes are formed from powerful thunderstorms, specifically supercell storms, where warm, moist air meets cold, dry air, creating strong wind currents that can rotate and develop into tornadoes.

Front

What are the main factors that contribute to flooding?

Back

Heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, inadequate drainage systems, and deforestation.

Answer explanation

Flooding is primarily caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, inadequate drainage systems, and deforestation. These factors lead to excess water accumulation, overwhelming the land's ability to absorb or channel it effectively.

Front

Explain the process of a volcanic eruption.

Back

Magma from within the Earth's mantle rises to the surface, causing pressure to build up and eventually leading to an explosive release of gases, ash, and lava.

Answer explanation

Volcanic eruptions occur when magma from the Earth's mantle rises, creating pressure. This pressure builds until it is released explosively, resulting in gases, ash, and lava being expelled from the volcano.

Front

What are the key characteristics of hurricanes?

Back

Strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and potential for widespread damage.

Answer explanation

Hurricanes are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, which can lead to widespread damage. The other options describe different weather phenomena that do not apply to hurricanes.

Front

How do wildfires start and spread?

Back

Wildfires start from a variety of sources, including human activity, lightning, and lava. They spread through the ignition of dry vegetation and can be fueled by wind and weather conditions.

Answer explanation

Wildfires can start from human activity, lightning, or lava. They spread when dry vegetation ignites and are influenced by wind and weather, making the correct choice comprehensive in explaining both the causes and spread of wildfires.

Front

Describe the impact of flooding on the environment and human settlements.

Back

Flooding can cause damage to infrastructure, loss of life, displacement of people, contamination of water sources, destruction of crops, and loss of biodiversity.

Answer explanation

Flooding significantly impacts both the environment and human settlements by causing infrastructure damage, loss of life, and displacement, while also contaminating water sources and destroying crops, leading to biodiversity loss.

Front

What are the warning signs of an impending volcanic eruption?

Back

Observing ground deformation, seismic activity, and changes in water and ground temperature.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights key indicators of volcanic activity: ground deformation, seismic activity, and temperature changes, which are critical for predicting eruptions, unlike the other options that are unrelated.

Front

Measures to prepare for and mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

Back

Creating emergency plans, conducting regular drills, and educating the community about disaster preparedness.

Answer explanation

The correct choice emphasizes proactive measures like creating emergency plans, conducting drills, and educating the community, which are essential for effective disaster preparedness and mitigation.

Front

What are the effects of drought on agriculture?

Back

Reduced water availability, crop failure, and soil degradation.