Evaluate the view that primary hazards are more dangerous than secondary hazards? (9 marks)
Primary hazards are the hazards which form immediately from the hazard. Secondary hazards form as a result of the primary hazards.one type of primary hazard from seismic hazard is ground shaking. This is when the surface waves cause the ground to move from side to side. Whether or not this is dangerous will depend on the quality of the buildings which by extension depends on the level of economic development. For instance, earthquake proof buildings were added to in Japan which had protected many people from the Sendai earthquake.
One type of secondary hazards is tsunamis. These form when there are earthquakes which form when there is a sudden slip motion at oceanic margins. The sudden movement will cause the water to displace vertically upwards to produce waves. For instance, the Indian Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 was caused by a magnitude 9.2 earthquake, leading to 10 metre waves in nearby so macho and four metre waves along the shrunken and Thailand coastlines. It was these waves that led to 220,000 people to die and as a result of many drownings.
Additionally, another secondary impact is fires. These form as a result of the ground shaking leading to gas pipes bursting open and producing uncontrollable fires. This can be evidenced in San Francisco where the earthquake of 1903 led to fires which burned for three consecutive days. These fires can destroy surviving homes and have negative effects on the environment as the toxic gases can destroy any surviving vegetation.
Overall, I think that secondary hazards are more dangerous than primary adds is. From a statistical perspective, on a global level, tsunami’s comma a secondary hazard comma is the single biggest killer during a seismic hazard full stop therefore comma secondary hazards are more dangerous than primary hazards.