Geography · Environmental Studies

Natural Hazards and Disasters

1,357 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

Which of the following statements is false regarding flash floods?

  1. Human activities can cause flash floods to occur.

  2. Flash flooding can be caused by extensive rainfall.

  3. Flash floods do not occur in normally dry areas.

  4. Meltwater can cause floods.

  5. Flash floods are characterized by fast moving water.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Flash floods most often occur in normally dry areas that have recently received precipitation. Flash floods are known to occur in the highest mountain ranges of the United States and are also common in the arid plains of southwestern United States.

Multiple choice

Directions: The question contains a sentence/sentences/part thereof followed by five choices. Select from these choices the one which most logically completes the idea contained in the given sentence or part. The Doomsday Clock has been moved closer to midnight by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) due to increased perception of risk of catastrophe on account of two reasons: the perils of ready to launch nuclear weapons;

  1. and the willingness of those in control to use them at the slightest provocation

  2. and the catastrophic consequences of the damage caused by human habitation

  3. and the upheavals taking place deep inside the earth's crust

  4. and the human intervention in the work of nature

  5. and the climatic changes resulting from environmental damage
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The Doomsday Clock metaphorically represents humanity's proximity to catastrophic destruction. The sentence presents two major threats: ready-to-launch nuclear weapons (first reason), and the second parallel threat is climate change from environmental damage. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists considers both nuclear and climate threats as existential risks.

Multiple choice

Cause: A severe cyclonic storm swept away most part of the state during the last two days. Which of the following cannot be a possible effect of the above cause?

  1. Heavy rainfall was reported in most part of the state during the last two days.

  2. Many people were rendered homeless as their houses were flown away.

  3. The communication system of the state was severely affected and continues to be out of gear.

  4. Govt. has ordered that all the offices and schools should be kept open.

  5. All are possible effects.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Keeping the offices and schools open during a catastrophic calamity sounds insane. Hence it cannot be an effect of the above cause.

Multiple choice

Hurricanes are cyclonic storms that occur in the

  1. Indian Ocean

  2. South China Sea

  3. West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico

  4. West Pacific Ocean
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Hurricanes are the specific name for cyclonic storms that occur in the North Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico region. The same storm is called a typhoon in the western Pacific and simply a cyclone in the Indian Ocean.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a natural hazard?

  1. Blizzard

  2. Lahar

  3. Drought

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

All three options listed (Blizzard - severe snowstorm, Lahar - volcanic mudflow, Drought - prolonged water shortage) are natural hazards. Therefore, saying 'None of these' means none of them is NOT a natural hazard, which is correct.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the consequence of drought?

  1. Erosion and dust storms

  2. Rapid snow melting

  3. Overflowing sewerages and canals

  4. Damp soils

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In areas affected by drought, dust bowls are created due to erosion. This is followed by dust storms and desertification. 

Multiple choice

Sometimes some natural calamities bring some opportunities for the people of different nations to come together and work for the cause of humanity. Which of the following was one such incidence/calamity which helped people of Pakistan to associate themselves with the people of India and vice versa? (Incident took place in 2005).

  1. Heavy rains and flood in Mumbai

  2. Tsunami in Asian countries

  3. Severe earthquake in parts of J&K

  4. Bomb blast in tube rail in London

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

The 2005 Kashmir earthquake is correct. On October 8, 2005, a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Jammu & Kashmir, causing widespread devastation. Both India and Pakistan came together to coordinate relief efforts, with India sending aid and rescue teams to Pakistan-administered Kashmir - a rare moment of cooperation between the traditionally hostile neighbors during a humanitarian crisis.