Back to Topic 7.2 — Flooding and flood mitigation
7.2.1Geography SL12 flashcards

Flooding and flood mitigation

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Card 1 of 127.2.1
7.2.1
Question

When does a river flood?

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All 12 Flashcards — Flooding and flood mitigation

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Card 1definition

Question

When does a river flood?

Answer

When **discharge rises above bankfull** so the channel overflows onto the floodplain.

Card 2definition

Question

Define flood risk.

Answer

The **probability** of a damaging flood multiplied by the **harm** (damage, lives) it would cause.

Card 3definition

Question

What is hard engineering?

Answer

**Built structures** that control the river — dams, levees, flood walls, channel straightening.

Card 4definition

Question

What is soft engineering?

Answer

**Natural and planning** approaches — afforestation, floodplain zoning, river restoration, warning systems.

Card 5definition

Question

What is a levee, and what does it do?

Answer

A raised embankment that **increases channel capacity**, so more discharge is carried before the river overtops.

Card 6definition

Question

What is floodplain zoning?

Answer

Land-use planning that **keeps housing off the most flood-prone land**, removing risk at source.

Card 7concept

Question

How does channel straightening raise flood risk?

Answer

It speeds the flow, so water reaches **downstream** settlements faster — raising the flood peak there.

Card 8concept

Question

How does afforestation reduce flood risk?

Answer

Trees intercept rain and aid infiltration, slowing run-off so the **flood peak is lower and delayed**.

Card 9concept

Question

Why can a levee make flooding worse elsewhere?

Answer

It stops the river spreading locally, so more water is carried faster **downstream**, raising the peak there — risk is transferred.

Card 10concept

Question

Hard vs soft engineering — one trade-off?

Answer

Hard = powerful but costly and shifts risk; soft = cheaper and sustainable but slower and less certain against extreme floods.

Card 11concept

Question

Name two physical factors that raise flood risk.

Answer

Intense rainfall and steep relief (also impermeable geology, a round/compact basin, sparse vegetation).

Card 12concept

Question

What does a top [10] mitigation essay need?

Answer

Two+ contrasting measures linked to the flood peak, a named scheme, a weighing of effectiveness vs cost/side-effects, and a clear judgement.

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