California Dreamin’ The Natural Hazards of California

When you think of California Do you think…

OF THIS?

OR THIS?

MUDSLIDES EARTHQUAKES FLOODS, FIRES DROUGHT, STORM SURGES. LANDSLIDES

Mudslide/ Mudflow DEFINITION: A general term for a mass-movement landform and process characterized by a flowing mass of fine-grained earth material with a high degree of fluidity. The water content may range up to 60%

DEFINITION:

A general term for a mass-movement landform and process characterized by a flowing mass of fine-grained earth material with a high degree of fluidity. The water content may range up to 60%

Causes short period of high-intensity rainfall during the summer dry season thaw of the winter snow pack. Wildfires followed by thunderstorms or heavy rain most likely to occur on slopes greater than 65 percent

short period of high-intensity rainfall during the summer dry season

thaw of the winter snow pack.

Wildfires followed by thunderstorms or heavy rain

most likely to occur on slopes greater than 65 percent

Wildfires Definition An uncontrolled fire that spreads though vegetative fuels, exposing and possibly consuming structures

Definition

An uncontrolled fire that spreads though vegetative fuels, exposing and possibly consuming structures

Causes Build up of vegetation fuel due to dry climate Santa Ana Winds Sparks from human source Controlled burning Arson

Build up of vegetation fuel due to dry climate

Santa Ana Winds

Sparks from human source

Controlled burning

Arson

Floods Definition An overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land.

Definition

An overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land.

Causes Winter Storms El Nino Deforestation Poorly maintained defences

Winter Storms

El Nino

Deforestation

Poorly maintained defences

Earthquakes Definition An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.

Definition

An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.

Causes A Network of over 300 active faults (e.g. San Andreas) About 10,000 quakes each year rattle Southern California alone, although most of them are too small to be felt 5 major earthquakes in the last 100 yrs including SF - 1906

A Network of over 300 active faults (e.g. San Andreas)

About 10,000 quakes each year rattle Southern California alone, although most of them are too small to be felt

5 major earthquakes in the last 100 yrs including SF - 1906

Drought Definition A drought is a prolonged, abnormally dry period when there is not enough water for users' normal needs

Definition

A drought is a prolonged, abnormally dry period when there is not enough water for users' normal needs

Causes Issues with El Nino Lack of rain Constantly high demand from urban populations Needs better infrastructure. Temperature

Issues with El Nino

Lack of rain

Constantly high demand from urban populations

Needs better infrastructure.

Temperature

Storm Surges Definition A rise above normal water level on the open coast due only to the action of wind stress on the water

Definition

A rise above normal water level on the open coast due only to the action of wind stress on the water

Causes Strong Winds Rising sea levels Spring/ High tides

Strong Winds

Rising sea levels

Spring/ High tides

Landslides Landslides often accompany other natural hazards and are often more damaging and deadly than the triggering event Human activities and population expansion are major factors in increased landslide damage and costs.

Landslides often accompany other natural hazards and are often more damaging and deadly than the triggering event

Human activities and population expansion are major factors in increased landslide damage and costs.

Causes Earthquakes Wildfires Storms Man induced Rainfall

Earthquakes

Wildfires

Storms

Man induced

Rainfall

Fog/ Smog Definition a mixture of pollutants, principally ground-level ozone, produced by chemical reactions in the air involving smog-forming chemicals .

Definition

a mixture of pollutants, principally ground-level ozone, produced by chemical reactions in the air involving smog-forming chemicals .

Causes burning of petroleum-based fuels consists of over 100 chemicals Major producers of smog include automobiles, fires, waste treatment, oil production, industrial solvents, paints, and coatings

burning of petroleum-based fuels

consists of over 100 chemicals

Major producers of smog include automobiles, fires, waste treatment, oil production, industrial solvents, paints, and coatings