Earth is a dynamic planet. Physical forces such as earthquakes and

volcanoes change landforms and their patterns. Natural changes in climate

can form hurricanes and change vegetation patterns. Human actions

are also changing Earth. Our actions are affecting us and other species.

How will natural changes and human actions continue to shape Earth’s

physical environment?

Tropic of Cancer

0˚

Equator

60 ̊N

30 ̊N

0˚

30 ̊S

60 ̊S

60 ̊N

30 ̊N

0˚

30 ̊S

60 ̊S

30 ̊W60 ̊W90 ̊W150 ̊W 120 ̊W 30 ̊E 60 ̊E 90 ̊E 120 ̊E 150 ̊E

0˚30 ̊W60 ̊W90 ̊W150 ̊W 120 ̊W 30 ̊E 60 ̊E 90 ̊E 120 ̊E 150 ̊E

Tropic of Capricorn

Antarctic Circle

Arctic Circle

2000 km0

N

ARCTIC OCEAN

PACIFIC

OCEAN

ATLANTIC

OCEAN

PACIFIC

OCEAN

INDIAN

OCEAN

C04-FXX-GO7SB

Crowle Art Group

1st pass

Geography 7 SB

0-17-659048-X

FN

CO

Pass

Approved

Not Approved

EARTHQUAKE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN Indian Ocean, epicentre of earthquake (3.31°N, 95.85°E)

The 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean had devastating impacts. This event prompted many to look for new ways to help reduce the impacts of natural disasters.

SAVING BRAZIL’S ATLANTIC FORESTSão Paulo, Brazil (23.55°S, 46.63°W)

Deforestation has removed most of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, leaving small patches of trees. Many animal species are endangered. Environmentalists are working to find ways to save the remaining forest patches and the species that live there.

PHYSICAL PATTERNS IN A CHANGING WORLDWHY CARE ABOUT CHANGES IN EARTH’S

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT?

CHINA’S POWERFUL RIVERSLake Tai, China (31.16°N, 120.15°E)

China’s booming economy has increased its levels of water pollution. Polluted lakes affect plant and fish life and have caused millions of people to get sick. Protests by concerned citizens have resulted in new wastewater treatment plants.

EYJAFJALLAJÖKULL: ICELANDIC HOT SPOTEyjafjallajökull, Iceland (63.38°N, 19.37°W)

A volcanic eruption spread an ash cloud across Europe and beyond. Impacts included flight cancellations and flooding. Authorities are developing better emergency response plans for the future.

AUSTRALIA’S WATER WOESMurray River, Australia (35.55°S, 138.88°E)

The worst drought in 100 years in Australia is linked to climate change. The country is looking at options on how to help prevent climate change impacts in the future.

LOOKING BACK: UNIT 1

132 UNIT 1: Physical Patterns in a Changing World NEL132 NELUNIT 1: Physical Patterns in a Changing World

04_geo7_ch4.indd 132 2014-10-29 3:05 PM

Now it is time to put your natural disaster response

plan together. You need to consider what actions are

needed before, during, and after the disaster. Review

the five questions you learned at the beginning of

the unit.

• Prevention: What can be done to help prevent the

disaster from taking place?

• Mitigation: What can be done to reduce the

effects of the disaster?

• Preparedness: What preparation can be made

before a disaster happens so everyone can work

effectively to improve conditions?

• Response: What can be done during the disaster

to deal with problems?

• Recovery: What can be done to get the

community back to normal as quickly as possible?

Do you have all the information that you need

to answer these questions? Your plan will need to

address each of these points. Keep in mind that your

plan is for a specific community. Be sure to include

needs specific to its location. For example, in coastal

regions, flooding may be a threat. Flooding may be

less of a concern in areas away from bodies of water.

Your natural disaster response plan should include

• in-depth research questions

• information on your selected community and

chosen natural disaster

• research related to landforms, climate, vegetation,

and water systems

• a variety of credible sources (Make sure to

evaluate your sources. Use the information you

have collected to draw conclusions.)

• a well-organized final product, where each of the

five points (prevention, mitigation, preparedness,

response, and recovery) are addressed

Examine the information you have collected.

Does your information give you thorough answers?

What is missing? Where can you find the missing

information? What conclusions can you draw from

your evidence?

Decide how you are going to share your disaster

response plan. You might want to create a brochure,

a presentation (e.g., interactive whiteboard

presentation), or a website. Select the most

appropriate format for your audience.

UNIT1CHALLENGE

DESIGN A NATURAL DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN

133NEL 133NEL UNIT 1: Looking Back

04_geo7_ch4.indd 133 2014-10-29 3:05 PM