---
title: "Main geohazards versus man-made hazards"
subject: "Engineering Geology II"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_4/engineering_geology_ii:main-geohazards-manmade"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/engineering_geology_ii/main-geohazards-manmade
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Main geohazards versus man-made hazards

Engineering Geology II · Chapter 5: Geological Hazards

- Asked in: 2078 Baisakh, 1+1 marks; 2078 Poush (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Understanding Earth Fissures: A Man-Made Geohazard](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SXaMH8gV6I) — geosociety
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/engineering_geology_ii/main-geohazards-manmade
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_4/engineering_geology_ii/chapter-5

## Question

What are the main geological hazards? How do they differ from man-made hazards?

## Short answer

Main geological hazards are earthquakes, landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions, subsidence, and swelling soils. They differ from man-made hazards by natural origin and cannot be prevented, only mitigated; man-made hazards like dam failure can be prevented by proper management.

## Answer

#### Main geological hazards
1. **Earthquakes** (and tsunami, surface rupture, liquefaction).
2. **Landslides, rock falls and other mass movements** including debris flow.
3. **Floods, GLOF and LDOF.**
4. **Soil erosion and gully/bank erosion.**
5. **Volcanic eruptions.**
6. **Subsidence and sinkholes** (karst, mining, groundwater withdrawal).
7. **Swelling and collapsing soils.**
8. **Snow and ice avalanche.**

#### Difference from man-made hazards
| Point | Geological hazard | Man-made hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Natural earth processes | Human activities and failures |
| Control | Cannot be prevented; effects can be reduced | Can be prevented by proper management |
| Examples | Earthquake, landslide, flood | Dam failure by poor design, industrial accident, fire, pollution, war |
| Prediction | Probabilistic | Depends on human error and design |

Note that human acts (deforestation, road cutting) can trigger geohazards such as landslides.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which is a geological hazard?
   A. War
   B. Earthquake
   C. Industrial accident
   D. Fire
   Answer: B. Industrial accident, fire and war are man-made. (Key point: Geological hazard)

2. How do geological hazards differ in control from man-made hazards?
   A. Have no effect
   B. Are only caused by humans
   C. Cannot be prevented, only effects reduced
   D. Can always be prevented
   Answer: C. Man-made hazards can be prevented by proper management. (Key point: Control)

3. What does the note say about human acts?
   A. They never affect geohazards
   B. They cause earthquakes by tectonics
   C. They only create floods
   D. Deforestation and road cutting can trigger landslides
   Answer: D. Human acts can trigger geohazards. (Key point: Human triggering)

## Related in Engineering Geology II

- [Geological hazards of Higher Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ahigher-himalaya-hazards) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 2
- [Mitigation of geological hazards](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ageohazard-mitigation-measures) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5
- [EG map versus geological map](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Aeg-map-vs-geological-map) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 1
- [Himalayan hazards and mitigation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ahimalaya-hazards-mitigation) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5
- [Factors causing hazards in Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Anepal-himalaya-hazard-factors) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5
- [EGS and its main parameters](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Aegs-parameters) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 1, asked 6×

## Related in other subjects

- [Primary versus secondary geological structures](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aprimary-versus-secondary-geological-structures) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 5, asked 4×
- [Pipeline hazards and solutions](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcomputer_organization_and_architecture%3Apipeline-hazards) — Computer Organization and Architecture, chapter 4, asked 5×
- [Microwave radiation hazards based on radiation fields](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Frf_and_microwave_engineering%3Aradiation-fields-hazards) — RF and Microwave Engineering, chapter 7, asked 2×
- [Main beam of 12 m x 12 m floor](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fdesign_of_steel_and_timber_structure%3Amain-beam-floor-12x12) — Design of Steel and Timber Structure, chapter 7