Name: Joy Ann U. Dapiton.

Date Submitted:November 25, 2023

Course & Year: BSED Science 3 Score:

PhSc 116 - Earth Science

Module No. 4
Natural Hazards and Human Activity

Learning Task 4.1

1. Explain the importance of Geo-hazards in shaping the Earth’s surface. In terms of

occurrence, why are they difficult to predict?

Geo-hazards are of great importance in shaping the Earth’s surface. Natural

disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and tsunamis have a
significant impact on topography, influencing the formation of different landforms such as
plateaus, canyons, valleys, and mountains. Furthermore, because nutrient-rich ash is
deposited by volcanic eruptions, these geohazards are essential for improving soil fertility
and agricultural output. They also help to create a variety of habitats and support ecological
diversity, which may result in the formation of new islands or the revitalization of old ones. In
addition, geohazards play a crucial role in the formation and concentration of precious
natural resources like minerals and oil. Even with their obvious significance, these
occurrences are very difficult to foresee because of their complexity, lack of obvious
precedents, scarcity of historical data, and technological limitations. Because geohazards
are inherently unpredictable in both space and time, it is extremely difficult to forecast them
accurately. Geo-hazards occur in a variety of locations and with varying degrees of intensity,
which makes it difficult to build reliable trends and make accurate predictions. The complex
interactions and domino effects between various geohazard types make this task even more
challenging. For example, landslides and tsunamis can be caused by earthquakes, and
seismic activity can be caused by volcanic eruptions. Due to the complex interplay between
these factors, it is difficult to isolate and predict the occurrence of a particular geohazard
without taking into consideration the possible impact of related events. Furthermore, human
activity adds another level of complexity that affects the frequency and severity of
geohazards.

2. Explain the more frequent occurrence of typhoons/hurricanes on Earth.

There are a number of reasons why typhoons and hurricanes are occurring more
frequently on Earth. First and foremost, warm sea surface temperatures are essential
because they supply the energy required for these cyclones to form and intensify. The
environment for their development is favorable as sea surface temperatures rise. Second,
the frequency of these storms is influenced by favorable atmospheric conditions, which are
defined by high moisture content and low wind shear. The rotation of the Earth causes the
Coriolis effect, which is another important factor. Moving air is deflected to the left in the
Southern Hemisphere and to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. Tropical cyclone genesis
and circulation are facilitated by this deflection. Furthermore, by creating the right conditions,
monsoon systems like the ones in Asia and Africa can contribute to the development of
typhoons and hurricanes. The frequency of these cyclones is also influenced by patterns in
climate. Tropical cyclone activity is generally enhanced by La Niña conditions and
suppressed by El Niño ones. The likelihood of typhoons and hurricanes in certain locations
can be strongly influenced by these climatic patterns.