Why do people live in areas at risk of tectonic hazards?

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Why do people live in areas at risk of tectonic hazards?

People often live in areas prone to natural hazards due to a range of factors. These regions only become hazardous when human lives, livelihoods, or properties are at risk. While the origins of such hazards might be rooted in geological or meteorological conditions, the presence of human settlements categorises them as dangerous. Without the presence of humans, these places would not be considered as being hazardous.

Farmland close to Mount Merapi an active volcano in Indonesia

People live in these areas because they perceive the benefits, such as fertile land and trade opportunities, outweigh the potential dangers. On the other hand, economic constraints often leave the less wealthy with limited housing options, forcing them to occupy more vulnerable locations like steep slopes or flood zones. For instance, delta regions offer water resources, rich soils, and trade advantages but may also face severe weather events like tropical cyclones, which can lead to disastrous flooding. This was evident in the 2020 floods in the Ganges Delta caused by Cyclone Amphan.

Summary

Natural areas are deemed hazardous when they threaten human life, livelihoods, or property, with the risk arising from their geological or climatic conditions and the presence of human settlements.
People may settle in risky regions because of perceived benefits such as agricultural fertility and commerce, despite potential threats.
Economic limitations often force less wealthy populations to live in danger-prone areas, like deltas, which provide resources but are susceptible to natural disasters like flooding from tropical cyclones.