Geophysical hazard adaptation involves adjusting land use, building codes, and more to minimize the impact of natural disasters. Let's dig into these strategies.

• Land-use zoning: It's like playing a game of real-life Tetris! We allocate different pieces of land for different purposes.
  • Example: Building a densely populated apartment complex or hospital next to a known fault line? Bad idea. Imagine playing Jenga on a shaking table. We aim to avoid that by not placing important buildings in areas prone to landslides or earthquakes.
• Evacuation and Exclusion Zones: Ever seen a "Do not cross" sign? That's basically an exclusion zone. They're created to keep people safe from hazardous areas.
  • Real-life example: Residents were evacuated from the slopes of Mt Sinabung and an exclusion zone was formed around Montserrat due to volcanic activities. It's like setting up a "No-go Zone" for safety!
• Building Codes: We need buildings that can take a hit and still stand tall! We ensure this by implementing building codes to make structures more resistant to hazards.

• Insurance: It's like having a safety net for when disaster strikes. But, not all hazards are covered. Some are labeled as "acts of God", and insurance companies won't cover them. Plus, in low-income countries (LICs), many people can't afford insurance.
• The problem of rare events: It's tough to convince people to spend money on something that might never happen, like a meteor hitting your house. So, nations and the global community often end up spending money after an event has occurred.
• Technology: New tech is our handy sidekick! It helps monitor changes like the swelling of volcanoes and variations in water chemistry. In addition, GPS-enabled mobile phones can be used to inform authorities about geophysical changes. It's like having a canary in a coal mine, but much more high-tech!

• Mt Sinabung: Lack of preparedness led to the death of nearly 20 people. The residents were less familiar with the volcano's behavior due to its dormancy for centuries.

• Mt Kelud: Despite a larger eruption, fewer lives were lost due to better preparation. This story is a perfect example of "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."