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6a) Describe with suitable and well labeled diagrams, TWO benefits of folded and faulted landscapes to mankind [10 marks]

b) Government can respond to risk of hazards by adopting measures that avoid and reduce risk.

Write an essay outlining THREE measures that avoid and TWO that can reduce the risk posed by hazards. [20 marks]

a)

Two benefits of folded and faulted landscapes are source of minerals and energy.

Firstly, one benefit of faulted landscapes is being a source of minerals. Cordilleran folds where magma consolidates as batholiths from which molten material arises are the sources of many minerals of economic importance. The mining is concentrated where the batholiths are either uncovered by erosion or lie on the surface. For example, there is a major zone of mineralization in the Rockies where copper is found. The Andean region produces tin, copper and silver. Sulphur deposits from volcanoes are mined in Chile. Faulted landscape in Devon and Cornwall reveal veins containing metal ores. Folding and faulting have also revealed beds of coals in the Appalachians.

In addition, a second benefit of folded landscapes is energy. Hydroelectric power has several advantages over fossil fuels. There is no pollution, it is renewable and is relatively cheap. It is best developed in areas of high relief-fold mountains or uplifted faulted blocks. For example, Norway as developed its hydroelectric resources and bauxite companies to be smelted in Norway. Along belts of shattered rock, water circulating deep within the earth has a fast route to the surface. The temperature remains high enough to provide geothermal power. For example, Iceland and New Zealand have developed their geothermal power resources. In the USA, it is associated with Basin and range topography and in Kenya, with the Rift Valley.

b)

A hazard is a threat of a naturally occurring event that will have a negative impact on the people or the environment. Three measures that can avoid the risk posed by hazards are; land use regulations, financial incentives and natural resource management. Two measures that can reduce the risk posed by hazards are building standards and retrofitting.

Firstly, land use regulations can be used to avoid the risk posed by hazards. Certain parts of a city/country are unsuitable for certain types of land use. In other cases, there are dangers involved in having land uses in close proximity to residential and noxious chemicals. For example, obvious risks can be avoided by specifying areas where residential, commercial and industrial functions are allowed zoning. Zoning regulations are not only useful in specifying functions. Within residential areas they could specify where land is unsuitable for building

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purposes which may include, too steep and subject to erosion, too close to water courses where residential uses and wastes could put fresh water supplies at risk. Land use regulations could specify the density, height, dimensions, alignment of buildings, the width of roads, and the need for access roads, all in the interest of safety. In agricultural areas, land classification systems could protect food supplies by specifying land subject to flooding and unsuitable for agricultural purposes. Where necessary, land use regulations can be backed up by compulsory purchase and land acquisition.

Secondly, financial incentives can avoid the risk posed by hazards. These are useful in guiding development. These could take the form of tax exemptions, favourable land prices and the provision of infrastructure/utilities. In this way, commercial/industrial ventures could be guided to areas where they could do least harm to people and the environment. When financial incentives fail, there can be harsh penalties for unacceptable uses. In most countries, laws are in place but they are not strictly enforced.

Thirdly, natural resource management can be used to avoid the risk posed by hazards. Hazards can be avoided if governments exert strict control over the management of natural resources. Many landslides are caused by the removal of forests from hill slopes where they stabilize the soil and conserve water supplies. Beaches are being eroded because of the type of structures on coastlands and sometimes by attempts to protect the beaches. Wetlands should be protected because they serve for fish and protect coastal areas. Rivers are being mined to provide sand for building purposes.