Natural Disaster Solutions

Question 1

The island town of Lava Bay sits on the slopes of Mount Ember. Each year, ash falls on the town and sometimes lava flows threaten homes near the base. The mayor wants to pick actions that will lower damage to houses and keep people safe. Which pair of actions would most effectively reduce these impacts while being realistic for the town to do?

Accepted Answer

Build reinforced concrete roofs on houses and install an ash‑fall early‑warning siren system.

Answer

Plant a dense forest of tall trees around the town to catch ash and block lava flows.

Answer

Construct a tall concrete wall around the town and require everyone to stay inside during eruptions.

Answer

Only set up a community radio program that tells people to evacuate when the volcano erupts.

Question 2

The town of Cedar Ridge sits on a fault line and is only 5 km from the volcano Mount Ember. In the past year the town’s houses were cracked during a magnitude‑5.8 earthquake, and ash from the volcano has recently covered rooftops, making them slippery and heavy. The mayor wants to pick two actions that together will give the most protection from both the earthquakes and the volcanic ash while staying within the town’s modest budget. Which pair of actions should the mayor choose?

Accepted Answer

Retrofit houses with flexible wooden frames and add reinforced roof tiles that prevent ash from slipping.

Answer

Install an early‑warning siren system for earthquakes and build a large stone wall around the town.

Answer

Plant tall pine trees on the hillside and construct a deep underground shelter for residents.

Answer

Build a concrete dam on the nearby river and purchase emergency food supplies.

Question 3

The town of Emberfield sits on the lower slopes of Mount Blaze. Sometimes ash falls on the houses, and occasional lava streams can reach the outskirts of the town. The mayor wants to choose the best plan to lower damage to homes and keep families safe. Which plan would most effectively reduce the impacts while still being affordable and realistic for Emberfield?

Accepted Answer

Install early‑warning alarms that sound when the volcano shows signs of activity, strengthen homes with flexible frames that can move with shaking, and create a clearly marked evacuation route to a sturdy community shelter.

Answer

Build thick concrete walls around every house, set up a volcano‑monitoring station, and hold daily drills teaching kids how to evacuate.

Answer

Plant a forest of tall trees on the volcano’s slope, paint all houses white to reflect heat, and put up sign boards warning of volcanoes.

Answer

Dig a wide ditch to divert lava away from the town, surround each house with sandbags, and hold a yearly festival celebrating the volcano.

Try three questions

Keep going on this shelf