1.After analyzing the Nathan World Map of Natural Hazards, I found my hometown in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China is at a high risk of suffering both hailstorms and tornados. Nathan’s World Map of Natural Hazards demonstrates this accurately. It was not a surprise to learn of these risks: Due to my city’s coordinates, the climate is humid subtropical. In addition, my city contains two of China’s most important rivers and several big lakes, so typhoons and rainstorms hit regularly, especially during summer. Because the weather is moist and temperatures are dramatic, we also experience hailstorms. Typhoons cause million-dollar city losses every year. However, the Nathan World Map of Natural Hazards is difficult to read because the scale is small, making it challenging to determine whether my city is subject to wildfire risks.

2. I am interested in an earthquake that struck Laochenglu, China on 29th March 2016, according to RSOE EDIS. My hometown is at a low risk of experiencing the same type of disaster because it is not located at the hypocenter of an earthquake zone. While the scale of the event in my hometown was small, it did cause damage. My city has higher population density, and compared to Laochenglu, it is tiny. People in my town have different levels of vulnerability because they have different wealth and education levels. Those with a higher education level are more likely to know the correct method of taking shelter during an earthquakes. Those with more wealth can buy higher quality houses so that can better withstand damage. Strengthening the buildings of my city would help reduce its vulnerability.

3. Typhoons are one of the most common hazards my city faces. If typhoons rise in severity level, they can become tornados. The website allowed me to track typhoons of past years. In 2014, my city experienced 12 typhoons. Structures collapsed and people died during each disaster. Typhoons have caused so much damage in my city that it is difficult to estimate. I experience typhoons every summer, and I believe most people in my city are used to them. Sometimes the water and electricity go out, but they are usually brought back within a day. The weather in my city is usually hot, but after a typhoon passes, it becomes cooler for a few days.

4.To reduce my town’s vulnerability to natural hazards, the most important step is prevention preparedness. Meteorologists and other scientists should forecast potential hazards to allow people to be prepared. Before an event occurs, governors should create a plan so that after an extreme event, they can quickly respond to and reduce damage. They should then apply recovery and reconstruction strategies to get conditions back to normal as soon as possible. On the other hand, it is important to develop an efficiency system in my city. For example, civil planners should develop a well-arranged drainage system. High-risk zones should be a significant focus of stabilization to protect against natural hazards such as earthquakes and floods. While I can do little for my city as a whole, I can take more precaution and learn self-preservation methods.