ABSTRACT: Treacherous terrain, dark nature, and twillicks: Response to natural hazards in Newfoundland.

CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
Search Results

Author :

Date :

Title :

Publication :

Issue :

Page(s) :

Abstract

The perspective of residents, government officials, students, and researchers in response to natural hazards in Newfoundland is shaped by several factors. Climate, meteorology, and Quaternary processes and landforms are the dominant factors both in the occurrence of events and the responses to them. The resource-based economy is a significant influence in accentuating exposure to natural hazards. In this situation, the role of Quaternary researchers is critical. In one sense, Newfoundland is commonly perceived by its residents to have few natural hazards. The absence of volcanoes and the rareness of terrestrial focus earthquakes lead to a concept that there are few ‘significant’ natural hazards, or none that cannot be handled with proper efforts. The fortunately limited death tolls of some natural disasters, and the time elapsed from others, also lessens their prominence. Curiosity is commonly high, but knowledge is less extensive. Between 2000 and 2008, direct economic costs resulting from natural hazards on the island of Newfoundland exceeded $100 million, with indirect costs totalling in excess of $500 million (approximately $1000 per resident). The disconnection between the perception and the economic reality stems from a variety of causes, including the familiarity of the hazards, and a sense of fatalism in some instances. The limited number of large events obscures an ongoing problem: numerous small events are resulting in large consequences. Another major factor is the relative prominence given to natural and human factors in events. Tragedies that resulted due to combinations of weather events and human responsibility are commonly considered as largely human-induced rather than natural disasters. Simultaneous perceptions have developed that 1) hazards pose unavoidable, unpredictable risks, and 2) that humans (especially governmental humans) should be more capable of controlling the consequences. These perceptions represent a dichotomy that Quaternary researchers must adjust their efforts to accommodate. Effective input from Quaternarists requires understanding of governance regimes, communities, and people. Formal public policy responses, informal mechanisms, and the interfacing that exists between public policy mechanisms and social forces are significant. High-profile events cause a temporary increase in public interest in hazard assessment and development of emergency response plans. However, hazard assessment tends to subside relatively quickly from public attention and political agendas. Efforts to limit construction in coastal or flood-susceptible areas in suburban and urban communities are generally resisted, regardless of the findings of hazard assessment studies. In many smaller communities, however, hazard assessment results are perceived as valuable. Research has been interpreted as unexpected interest from the academic and professional community. Coping with natural hazards requires finding new incentives to integrate across disciplinary and governmental-society boundaries. Perceptions and responses to natural hazards are very connected with the historical-policy context. The pace of response indicates the struggle to shift priorities. Emergency planning leading from hazard assessment is difficult to reform, because the inherited structures tend to be very complex multi-disciplinary systems. This poses difficulties in renewing governance and establishing clear lines of authority. It is also very difficult for previously unrecognized groups to participate. Natural hazard researchers, unfortunately, frequently fit into this latter category.

Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology