California- Paradise or Hell on Earth?

“No place on Earth offers greater security to life and greater freedom from natural hazards

than California” LA Times 1934

Two sides to California

The Golden StateGold Discovery

Transcontinental railway

Population growth

1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 20200

5,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

20,000,000

25,000,000

30,000,000

35,000,000

40,000,000

California Population 1850 - 2000

Year

Pop

ula

tion

Californian Climate – Sunny and dry

Stunning landscapes and activityYosemite National Park

Surfing

Californian Economy

GDP: $1.8 trillion40% of US total GDP

generated in California8th largest GDP in the

world40% of USA’s fresh fruit

and vegetables produced in California

Water Use

Little rainfallUnderground waterColorado river transfer

schemeAgricultureLeisure and DomesticIndustrial

Water ConsumptionCalifornia water consumption1200 litres per person

per dayThe UK consumes 150

litres per person per dayCalifornia likely to

experience severe and chronic water shortages in future

On FireHot, dry weather and strong winds result in a large fire affecting the Californian coast on average every 2 and a half years.

Damage can cost millions. The last fires in May 2009 resulted in losses of $2 billion. As housing expands in to the countryside so more people are at risk.

Landslides

La Conchita6 people diedPeople like living on high

groundHeavy rain and

deforestationRoad building

EarthquakeUnstable zone Right on the boundary between the

Pacific and North American plate.

Earthquakes every day…Most are not noticed by humansLast week there were

around 860 recorded earth tremors in California.

Last major quake was in 1994

72 people diedDamages: $42 billion

Earthquake DamageSan Fransisco Cypress freeway

Not all Hazards are Natural

A Question for Discussion“The advantages of living and working in

California far outweigh the disadvantages of the risks posed by natural and man-made hazards such as fires and earthquakes” Discuss.