Geophysical hazards have a significant influence on development over time and are a key area of analysis in IB Geography, particularly within Option D: Geophysical Hazards. Hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides can shape economic growth, social progress, and long-term resilience. Their impacts are not only immediate but can affect development trajectories for decades.
In the short term, geophysical hazards often cause major disruption to development. Infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, and power supplies may be destroyed, reducing access to essential services. Economic activity may be interrupted as businesses close and people lose livelihoods. In low-income countries, these immediate impacts can reverse years of development progress, increasing poverty and vulnerability.
Over time, repeated exposure to hazards can slow long-term development. Governments may need to divert resources away from education, healthcare, and infrastructure towards disaster response and reconstruction. This limits investment in long-term development goals. In IB Geography, this helps explain why some hazard-prone regions struggle to escape cycles of poverty and vulnerability.
Geophysical hazards also affect development through inequality. Wealthier individuals and regions often recover more quickly due to access to insurance, savings, and government support. Poorer communities may take much longer to rebuild, leading to widening social and economic gaps. Informal settlements, often located in high-risk areas, are especially vulnerable to repeated damage.
However, geophysical hazards can also create opportunities for positive development change. In some cases, reconstruction allows countries to “build back better”. Improved building standards, stronger infrastructure, and better planning can reduce future risk and increase resilience. High-income countries often use hazard events as catalysts for upgrading infrastructure and improving disaster preparedness.
In IB Geography, it is important to recognise the role of governance in shaping long-term impacts. Countries with effective institutions, planning, and disaster risk reduction strategies are better able to recover and adapt. Strong governance reduces long-term development losses by integrating hazard management into development planning.
Hazards can also influence economic structure. Regions affected by frequent hazards may struggle to attract investment, tourism, or skilled labour. In contrast, some volcanic regions benefit from fertile soils, geothermal energy, or tourism, supporting long-term development despite risk. This shows that hazards do not automatically prevent development but shape its form.
Climate change may increase the frequency and severity of some geophysical and related hazards, increasing long-term development challenges. Without adaptation and risk reduction, development losses are likely to grow over time.
Overall, geophysical hazards affect development by causing short-term disruption, reinforcing inequality, and shaping long-term investment and resilience. The extent of impact depends on wealth, governance, planning, and the ability to reduce risk.
RevisionDojo helps IB Geography students understand how hazards shape development over time, linking risk, inequality, and resilience into clear, exam-ready explanations.
