Geography · Environmental Studies

Natural Hazards and Disasters

1,386 Questions

Natural hazards and disasters involve the study of extreme natural events like earthquakes, floods, and cyclones, alongside their management and mitigation strategies. This geography and environmental studies topic is heavily tested in civil services and state public service examinations. Use these questions to prepare for inquiries on disaster response, community recovery, and tremor causes.

Earthquake and tremor causesDisaster management activitiesFlood management mythsCyclone and severe weatherPost-disaster health problemsCommunity disaster response

Natural Hazards and Disasters Questions

Multiple choice geography in search of the source of wind atmospheric pressure, pressure belts and winds elements of weather and climate :wind monsoon phenomena and its mechanism

Which natural calamity has affected India the most?

  1. Floods

  2. Earthquakes

  3. Cyclones

  4. Tsunamis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Of the given options, the destruction caused by cyclones has affected India the most. They mostly strike the eastern coast of India. Recently, the frequency of the tropical cyclones which hit the eastern coast of India has risen. It can be attributed to Global Warming.
Trees, buildings etc collapse due to strong wind killing many people.
Storm surges are Strong winds push water towards a shore. The low-pressure area in the eye lifts the water surface in the center which as high as 3 to 12 m. It appears like a water wall moving towards a shore. As a result, water enters the low coastal areas and causes severe loss of life and property.
Cyclones may also cause prolonged heavy rains. This may lead to floods causing heavy losses. Water becomes contaminated and people may suffer from various water-borne diseases.
It may block the rail and road transport system as well as telephones and other communication systems.
Multiple choice geography in search of the source of wind atmospheric pressure, pressure belts and winds elements of weather and climate :wind monsoon phenomena and its mechanism

How many zones have been identified as the most affected by cyclones?

  1. 3

  2. 4

  3. 5

  4. 6
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Although tropical cyclones can occur in many parts of the world, about 75% of all tropical cyclones form in the Northern Hemisphere. The western North Pacific Ocean has the greatest number of storms per year. There are also areas that are not affected by tropical cyclones, such as the South Atlantic where the ocean is too cool.

The following is a listing of specific areas of the world which are affected by tropical cyclones:

Tropical North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.
Eastern North Pacific (from the west coast of Mexico to 180 degrees West)
Western North Pacific (Philippine Islands and the South China Sea extending to 180 degrees East)
Bay of Bengal
Arabian Sea
South Indian Ocean (off the coast of Madagascar extending eastward to the central Indian Ocean)
Northwest coast of Australia extending westward to the central Indian Ocean
South Pacific Ocean from eastern Australia to about 140 degrees West.
Multiple choice geography in search of the source of wind atmospheric pressure, pressure belts and winds elements of weather and climate :wind monsoon phenomena and its mechanism

__________ are strong moisture laden winds  with low pressure at the center surrounded by high pressure.

  1. Cyclones

  2. Tsunamis

  3. Hurricanes

  4. Earthquake
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
Cyclones
Cyclones are violent Storms with an intense spiral and accompanied by strong winds and heavy rains. They are caused due to strong winds blowing around the central area having low atmospheric pressure.

Causes of cyclones
As we know that when water vaporizes, it absorbs heat from the surroundings. Water vapor rises in the atmosphere where it cools down. When water vapor changes back into liquid the heat is released into the atmosphere. This warms the air around it.

The warm air tends to rise and causes a drop in the pressure. The air moves from surrounding high-pressure areas to the central low-pressure area. This cycle is repeated. The chain of events leads to the formation of very low-pressure system surrounded by with very high-speed winds. This weather condition is a cyclone.
Multiple choice geography in search of the source of wind atmospheric pressure, pressure belts and winds elements of weather and climate :wind monsoon phenomena and its mechanism

Which of the following is the name of very violent and serious type of winds which bring a lot of disaster?

  1. Trade winds

  2. Hurricane

  3. Cirrus

  4. Stratus

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Hurricane
A tropical cyclone is a rotating low-pressure weather system that has organized thunderstorms but no fronts (a boundary separating two air masses of different densities). Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 miles per hour (mph) are called tropical depressions. Those with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph or higher are called tropical storms.

When a storm's maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, it is called a hurricane. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating, or category, based on a hurricane's maximum sustained winds. The higher the category, the greater the hurricane's potential for property damage.

Hurricanes originate in the Atlantic basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, the eastern North Pacific Ocean, and, less frequently, the central North Pacific Ocean. A six-year rotating list of names, updated and maintained by the World Meteorological Organization, is used to identify these storms.

"Hurricane Season" begins on June 1 and ends on November 30, although hurricanes can, and have, occurred outside of this time frame. NOAA's National Hurricane Center predicts and tracks these massive storm systems, which occur, on average, 12 times a year in the Atlantic basin.

As a world leader in hurricane research, NOAA strives to understand the mechanics of these complex storms in order to protect people, property, commerce, and natural resources.
Multiple choice evs sources of water water resources and conservation receding water table water conservation and irrigation importance of water water: a precious resource

______________ is the natural phenomenon, caused by an unlimited and unprecedented rainfall.

  1. Soil erosion

  2. Cyclone

  3. Floods

  4. Heightening
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Floods are natural disasters caused by excessive and prolonged rainfall that exceeds the drainage capacity of the land.

Multiple choice social studies precautions for natural disasters cyclonic winds monsoon phenomena and its mechanism tsunami, floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides

________ was very severe Cyclonic Storm and the most intense tropical cyclone of the 2016 in North Indian Ocean.

  1. Hudhud

  2. Ockhi

  3. Vardah

  4. Nilofar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Cyclone Vardah was a severe cyclonic storm that struck the east coast of India in December 2016, making it one of the most intense storms of that year in the North Indian Ocean.

Multiple choice social studies precautions for natural disasters cyclonic winds monsoon phenomena and its mechanism tsunami, floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides

The type of wave affecting Bay of Bengal is ____________.

  1. Hurricane

  2. Typhoon

  3. Cyclone

  4. Tornado
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Since sea surface temperatures and humidity both directly correlate with chances of cyclone formation, the Bay of Bengal is a more likely target because it gets higher rainfall, and because the sluggish winds around it keep temperatures relatively high: about 28 degrees around the year. Warm air currents enhance this surface temperature and aid the formation of cyclones.

In addition, the Bay receives higher rainfall and constant inflow of freshwater from the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. This means that the Bay’s surface water keeps getting refreshed, making it impossible for the warm water to mix with the cooler water below, making it ideal for depression. 

Multiple choice social studies precautions for natural disasters cyclonic winds monsoon phenomena and its mechanism tsunami, floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides

Natural disasters like cyclone, hurricane, typhoon and tornadoes show some initial _____ and thus give time to _____.

  1. neglect, destructions

  2. symptoms, preparations

  3. disperse, weaken

  4. plan, destruction
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Natural disasters like cyclones often show early meteorological symptoms or signs, allowing authorities and the public time to make necessary preparations to mitigate damage.

Multiple choice social studies precautions for natural disasters cyclonic winds monsoon phenomena and its mechanism tsunami, floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides

Disaster management covers _________.

  1. Maintaining control over disasters

  2. Reducing the effects of disasters

  3. Briefing the top officials of government on the effects of disasters

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Disaster Management should aim to prevent emergencies from occurring, and failing that, should develop a good action plan to mitigate the results and effects of any emergencies. The development of emergency plans is a cyclical process, common to many risk management disciplines are set out below:

  1. Recognition or identification of risks
  2. Ranking or evaluation of risks
  3. Maintaining control over disasters
  4. Responding to significant risks
  5. Resourcing controls
  6. Reducing the effects of disasters
  7. Reaction planning
  8. Briefing the top officials of government on the effect of disasters
  9. Reviewing the Risk Management framework

Multiple choice social studies precautions for natural disasters cyclonic winds monsoon phenomena and its mechanism tsunami, floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides

Mitigation measure/s that can help in effective disaster management during cyclones include ______.

  1. Coastal Regulation Zone norms should be strictly enforced

  2. Telecom systems need to be robust

  3. Suitable guidelines should be framed by states for construction of hoardings

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Effective disaster management for cyclones involves a multi-faceted approach, including strict coastal regulations, robust communication systems, and safe infrastructure construction, all of which are essential.

Multiple choice social studies precautions for natural disasters cyclonic winds monsoon phenomena and its mechanism tsunami, floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides

Cyclone in Japan and Philippines is called as _________.

  1. Hurricane

  2. Tornado

  3. Typhoon

  4. Thunderstorm
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

When a tropical cyclone forms in the western Pacific between 180 degrees and 100 degrees East longitude, it's called a typhoon. So, Japan, China, the Philippines, etc., get typhoons.

Multiple choice social studies precautions for natural disasters cyclonic winds monsoon phenomena and its mechanism tsunami, floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides

Which of the following is an early warning system for disaster management in the event of cyclone?

  1. Agromet advisory service

  2. Potential fishing zone advisory services

  3. Both A and B

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Both Agromet advisory services and Potential fishing zone advisory services provide critical information that helps in disaster preparedness and mitigation for coastal communities during cyclones. These systems allow for timely warnings and protective measures.

Multiple choice social studies precautions for natural disasters cyclonic winds monsoon phenomena and its mechanism tsunami, floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides

The tropical cyclones of the Bay of Bengal are usually called_________.

  1. Typhoons

  2. Hurricanes

  3. Depressions

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are technically classified as cyclonic storms. They are not called typhoons (Pacific) or hurricanes (Atlantic/Eastern Pacific).