HKDSE Geography/M1/Reasons for Stay

Power
Geothermal power can often be tapped along plate boundaries, where tectonic hazards are frequent. It is a are low-cost, highly efficient renewable energy source which produces little pollution and emits no greenhouse gases.

70% of Iceland's electricity is geothermal.

Mining
Many rare and precious metals, gems and minerals are found in volcanic regions.

Iron, silver, copper, mercury and other important metals are found along plate boundaries, along with gems like manganese.

Agriculture
Many volcanic regions have fertile soils because volcanic ash are rich in nutrients. When solidified lava are weathered and transported to farmlands, they also carry nutrients. This facilitates the growth of crops and increases yields, so farmers are attracted to settle there.

Tourism
Hot springs (e.g. Japan) and geysers (e.g. Yellowstone National Park) often attract tourists. Hot springs are said to be beneficial to health. Volcanic and earthquake-prone areas like Mount Fuji, Hawaii and the Alps attract tourists because of scenic beauty. Thus tourism is important to the economies of hazard-prone regions. They tend to have a greater degree of economic development, attracting settlement.

Other Opportunities
Benefits of living near coasts (mild climate, scenic beauty) are valid reasons for staying in tsunami-prone regions.

Other Reasons

 * Financial and political barriers prevent people from leaving
 * People with social ties are unwilling to leave as they do not want to break their social network and have to rebuild one in a new place
 * Historical factors: People tend to stay where much development has taken place
 * Ancestral ties to one's homeland
 * It is impossible to move to anywhere without hazards