Natural Hazard Risk Assessment
CGC1D- Issues in Canadian Geography
Unit #2 Performance Task
Your Goal: To effectively assess the risk of natural hazards on a Canadian city/town
Description:
Unit 2 focuses on the interconnection between all elements of physical geography including geology,
climate, soil, vegetation as well as human activity across the landscape. This performance task brings all
topics of the unit together by researching the causes, effects, prevention and importance that a natural
disaster can have on the people impacted.
The student will:
1 . Create an ArcGIS Online map that contains historic patterns of one type of hazard in Canada
- Data layers for all hazard types are located on the class website for use
- You must manipulate the data to BEST show where that hazard is most likely to occur in
Canada. This could involve creating a heat map or using a colour ramp to identify hazards
by intensity or magnitude.
- Save your map. You will be using parts of the map to support your argument later.
2. Research and choose a Canadian community that is at risk of at least one type of natural hazard.
- Use the attached organizer to layout ALL your research.
-Explain and prove using your map why the city is at risk. The characteristics of the geology,
climate, vegetation and human activity around the city will help in your explanation. Ex for
geology “San Francisco is at risk for an earthquake because it is located along a transform plate boundary between the Pacific and
North American plates. When the plates slip past each other, large earthquakes are possible”
3. Create a Final Product: organize this information in an effective way (poster, Prezi, powerpoint,
pamphlet, concise report).
-Include pictures, maps or graphs in a meaningful and relevant way (risk map that you
create, graphs you create or find and pictures of previous disasters).
4. Include an APA works /cited reference list for at least 3 sources you used in your research.
- use Easy Bib or the Mr. Scott’s handout to complete a proper reference.
See reverse for checklist
See attached document for how to do an APA reference
Checklist/ Look Fors:
The Map:
I have built a risk map for at least 1 type of hazard. It has a title, named layers and the
original data has been manipulated in some way to make it easily read. It is shared!
The Organizer:
I have provided a brief overview of the town’s spatial significance. Geographic location (map),
landform & climate region, population and other helpful information related to risk assessment
I have provided an explanation of how the natural hazard occurs
I have provided a discussion of interrelationships & patterns/trends found between the
landform/geology, climate, vegetation and human activity. I have explained how these
relationships increase or decrease the level of risk with my chosen city.
I have provided an outline of the strategies that are being used around the world to limit the
impact of a natural hazard from various geographic perspectives.
I have compared the available strategies to the ones actually used by the city to determine if
they are truly prepared for a disaster.
I have explained the social, environmental, political and economic impacts that a hazard would
have on my city.
The Final Product:
I have taken all aspects laid out in the organizer and presented then in a cohesive form.
I have made reference to my map and included screenshots of it
The Reference List:
I have included at least 3 proper APA references.
The mark you receive will reflect how well you follow the guidelines stated above. See rubric for a detailed
mark breakdown.
GOOD LUCK!
Risk Assessment Research Proposal
Name ____________
Use this computer lab effectively! By the end of class tomorrow you should have the following complete:
City/Town Overview
Location in Canada (be specific):
Population:
Landform Region: __________________
Climate Region:_____________________
Vegetation Region:__________________
Natural Hazard/Disaster:
How does it occur/What triggers it?
How do the local geographic characteristics affect the natural disaster? Do they increase the risk?
Decrease? Have no effect at all? explain
Geology / Landforms
Climate
Vegetation & Soils
Human Activity
What strategies can be used to limit the effect of a disaster?
What strategy(s) IS the city using to protect itself and its people from a disaster?
How is human activity contributing to the risk of disaster?
What are the various impacts that a large scale disaster would have on the people?
SOCIAL
ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENTAL
POLITICAL
Based on all of the research completed about you location and its risk of disaster, rank the level of disaster on
a scale of 1-10 and provide a reason for the ranking
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10