Hazardous Environments

2. A natural event or hazard causing damage and destruction to property, as well as personal injuries and death
7. A violent shaking of the Earth's crust
9. Describing the flow caused by a devastating eruption of extremely hot gas, ash and rocks during a period of explosive volcanic activity; th downslope flow to this mixture is capable of reaching speeds up to 200kph
10. A rapid rise in sea level in which water is piled up against the coastline to a level far exceeding the normal. It tends to happen when there is very low atmospheric pressure and where seawater is pushed into a narrow channel
11. The point on the Earth's surface that is directly above the focus of an earthquake
12. The type of plate boundary that occurs when plates move apart. Volcanoes are formed as magma wells up to fill the gap, and eventually new crust is formed. Also called a divergent margin.
14. A tidal wave caused by the shock waves originating from a submarine earthquake or volcanic eruption
15. The pushing down of one tectonic plate against another at a collision plate margin. Pressure and heat convert the plate into magma.
16. Aid or help in the form of food, medical care and temporary housing provided immediately after a natural disaster
18. Describing zones which form when two continental plates collide. Neither plate is forced under the other, and so both are forced up and form fold mountains
19. An opening in the Earth's crust out of which lava, ash and gases erupt

1. An event (for example earthquake, flood, landslide, volcanic eruption) which threatens the well-being of people and their property
3. Desribing a "plate" ie a rigid segment of the Earth's crust which can 'float' across the heavier, semi-molten rock below. Continental plates are less dense, but thicker than oceanic plates. Movement occurs
4. The transport networks and the water, sewage and communication systems that are vital to people and their settlements and businesses
5. A flow of wet material down the side of a volcano's ash cone which can become a serious hazard
6. The type of plate boundary that occurs when oceanic and continental plates move together. The oceanic plate is forced under the lighter continental plate. Friction causes melting of the oceanic plate and may trigger earthquakes. Also called a convergent margin.
8. Changes designed to react to and cope with a situation, such as the threat posed by a hazard
9. Forecasting future events or changes
13. Describing a storm or weather system of very low pressure formed over tropical seas and involving strong winds and heavy rainfall (also knowns as a cyclone, hurricane or typhoon).
17. Describing the activity such as the eruption of molten rock, ash or gases from a volcano