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California- Paradise or Hell on Earth?
“No place on Earth offers greater security to life and greater freedom from natural hazards
than California” LA Times 1934
Two sides to California
The Golden StateGold Discovery
Transcontinental railway
Population growth
1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 20200
5,000,000
10,000,000
15,000,000
20,000,000
25,000,000
30,000,000
35,000,000
40,000,000
California Population 1850 - 2000
Year
Pop
ula
tion
Californian Climate – Sunny and dry
Stunning landscapes and activityYosemite National Park
Surfing
Californian Economy
GDP: $1.8 trillion40% of US total GDP
generated in California8th largest GDP in the
world40% of USA’s fresh fruit
and vegetables produced in California
Water Use
Little rainfallUnderground waterColorado river transfer
schemeAgricultureLeisure and DomesticIndustrial
Water ConsumptionCalifornia water consumption1200 litres per person
per dayThe UK consumes 150
litres per person per dayCalifornia likely to
experience severe and chronic water shortages in future
On FireHot, dry weather and strong winds result in a large fire affecting the Californian coast on average every 2 and a half years.
Damage can cost millions. The last fires in May 2009 resulted in losses of $2 billion. As housing expands in to the countryside so more people are at risk.
Landslides
La Conchita6 people diedPeople like living on high
groundHeavy rain and
deforestationRoad building
EarthquakeUnstable zone Right on the boundary between the
Pacific and North American plate.
Earthquakes every day…Most are not noticed by humansLast week there were
around 860 recorded earth tremors in California.
Last major quake was in 1994
72 people diedDamages: $42 billion
Earthquake DamageSan Fransisco Cypress freeway
Not all Hazards are Natural
A Question for Discussion“The advantages of living and working in
California far outweigh the disadvantages of the risks posed by natural and man-made hazards such as fires and earthquakes” Discuss.