Level 94
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Natural Hazards and Disaster Geography

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Seismic Risk Zones

An exploration of the world's most seismically active regions, the physical mechanisms behind earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and how communities measure, prepare for, and live with the risks these hazards pose.

60-Second Review

Express review

A condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.

  1. The Ring of Fire and Global Seismic Zones. The Pacific Ring of Fire concentrates most of the world's earthquakes and active volcanoes.
  2. Measuring Earthquake Magnitude and Intensity. Magnitude measures an earthquake's energy; intensity measures its felt effects at a place.
  3. Major Historic Earthquakes and Their Impact. Historic earthquakes from Lisbon to Turkey reveal recurring patterns of vulnerability and loss.
  4. Volcanic Eruption Types and Hazards. Volcanic eruptions range from gentle lava flows to explosive blasts, each with distinct hazards.
  5. Supervolcanoes and Long-Term Risk. Supervolcanoes are VEI 8 systems capable of eruptions with global, multi-year consequences.
  6. Tsunami Generation and Coastal Vulnerability. Tsunamis, usually triggered by undersea earthquakes, grow dangerously large as they reach shallow coasts.
  7. Earthquake-Resistant Design and Urban Planning. Modern seismic engineering and building codes turn hard-won earthquake lessons into safer cities.
  8. Living With Volcanic Risk: Case Studies. From Vesuvius to Kilauea, millions of people live within reach of active, monitored volcanoes.

This is the starting point of Natural Hazards and Disaster Geography: you don't need any prior knowledge of this subject to begin.

Key points

Visual module map

1The Ring of Fire and Global Seismic Zones
2Major Historic Earthquakes and Their Impact
3Supervolcanoes and Long-Term Risk
4Tsunami Generation and Coastal Vulnerability
5Living With Volcanic Risk: Case Studies

Alternative visual view: a simplified sequence of some of the module's key points, in their order within the syllabus.

Your module mastery

0% (overall measurement)
Approximate breakdown by skill
Understanding of historiographical debate0%

A rough estimate based on the key points reviewed, not an exact measurement of actual mastery.

Final test

You need to review all key points to unlock the final test.

Optional mini-games

Extra practice, with no penalty, to reinforce the module's content.

Review Flashcards

Review each key point with cards that flip to reveal the summary.

Memory

Match each concept with its definition in as few attempts as possible.

Time Attack

Answer true or false statements before time runs out.

Chronological Order

Put the module's key points back in their original order.

Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Bolt, B.A. (2004). Earthquakes (5th ed.). New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.
  • Kanamori, H. (1977). "The energy release in great earthquakes." Journal of Geophysical Research, 82(20), 2981-2987.
  • Newhall, C.G., and Self, S. (1982). "The volcanic explosivity index (VEI): An estimate of explosive magnitude for historical volcanism." Journal of Geophysical Research, 87(C2), 1231-1238.
  • Sigurdsson, H. (ed.) (2015). The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes (2nd ed.). Amsterdam: Academic Press.
  • Ambrose, S.H. (1998). "Late Pleistocene human population bottlenecks, volcanic winter, and differentiation of modern humans." Journal of Human Evolution, 34(6), 623-651.
  • Fisher, R.V., Heiken, G., and Hulen, J.B. (1997). Volcanoes: Crucibles of Change. Princeton: Princeton University Press.