003 - Who is Vulnerable?

Activity One - Describe

One of the key skill in Individuals and Societies is the ability to be able to describe graphical data effectively. When you describe something it is good to follow the a specific structure:

• Describe the general pattern or trend.
• Use data to illustrate your point.
• Describe anything that does not 'fit' the general pattern or trend (an anomaly).
• Use data to illustrate your point.

Answer the following questions in full sentences using the images below.

1. Click on the Smithsonian map and watch the spatial distribution of where earthquakes and volcanic events. Describe the pattern of tectonic events.
2. Using image two below describe the spatial pattern of where people have died due to earthquake events. You may need a map to help you.
3. Describe how else you could categorise the deaths caused by earthquakes.
4. Using image three below describe the spatial pattern of where the economic damage occurred due to earthquake events. You may need a map to help you.
5. What are the similarities and differences to your answers in question 2 and 4. Why do you think this may be?

Useful Resources

Activity Two - Mind map

We are now going to begin to explore why some areas of the world are more prone to hazards that cause a physical and/or economic impact to humans.

1. Create a mind map to suggest why there might be a greater loss of life and economic damage in some regions of the world than others as opposed to others.
2. We will discuss your thoughts as a group.
3. Add any of your peers ideas to your mind map.

Activity Three - Discuss

We are now going to look at how we can visually represent how a hazard may occur but may pose no risk due to a population either not living close by not being vulnerable.

1. We will talk through the slides together as we do draw a visual representation of how a hazard can become a risk. This will be drawn as a Venn Diagram on plain paper.
2. Now work through the following scenarios drawing Venn Diagrams to represent when a natural hazard poses a risk to a population:
   • Vik, Iceland - Volcanic Eruption
   • Saas Fee, Switzerland - Avalanche
   • Mexico City, Mexico - Earthquake
   • Tokyo, Japan - Earthquake
3. Now create two more Venn Diagrams for a natural hazard and its associated risk in areas of your choice.