California Natural Hazards

When does earthquake hazard become major economic risk?

• Only when faults are in uninhabited areas
• When active faults intersect dense populations and valuable infrastructure.
• When no buildings are exposed
• When there is no economic activity

What determines the size of wildfire losses besides fire intensity?

• The amount and type of development exposed to fire.
• Only coastline length
• Only annual GDP
• Only state population totals

Why is drought considered a slow-onset hazard?

• It cannot influence water supplies.
• It occurs instantly like an earthquake.
• It affects only one afternoon.
• Its effects build gradually across water, agriculture, ecosystems, and energy.

Why does drought-prone California still need flood management?

• Flooding occurs only outside the United States.
• Drought means floods are impossible.
• Precipitation varies greatly, and intense wet periods can still cause flooding.
• California receives no rain.