Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Categorizing Tectonic Processes
Ironically, beautiful mountains are products of powerful processes that can kill or maim. Due to the
latter,earthquakesandvolcanoesarerathercommonlyreferredtoas
natural hazards
—environment-
al events that are potentially harmful to humans and their handiwork, such as tornadoes, hurricanes,
landslides, and floods. While there is no denying the destructive potential of earthquakes and volca-
noes, some students of tectonics are rather put off by the “natural hazard” name, which in their view
unfairly demonizes nature and conveniently absolves humans of any responsibility for fatal effects.
Better, they say, to think of tectonic events as “natural processes” that only become “natural hazards”
when people get in the way, as by building houses and cities in areas at risk.
You may agree with that, or disagree with that, or have no opinion. But the statement underscores the
interest of geography in this subject matter. Certainly, tectonic movements are natural processes. But
when you consider the geography of these events in relation to the geography of humans and their
handiwork, then tectonic forces may assume a degree of importance that goes well beyond their own
immense power.
