What is the primary benefit of assessing geological risks before a disaster occurs?

Assessing geological risks before a disaster occurs is crucial for developing community response plans. This proactive approach allows communities to identify potential hazards such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, or volcanic eruptions and understand how these risks could impact their residents and infrastructure. By understanding these risks, communities can create effective response strategies, allocate resources efficiently, and enhance preparedness. This planning process includes evacuation routes, emergency services coordination, and public education initiatives, which ultimately aim to save lives and minimize damage during a geological event.

The other options, while possibly related to broader community planning, do not directly address the primary benefit of risk assessment in the context of geological disasters. Assessing geological risks is not focused on tourism potential, increasing property values, or restricting land use, but rather on enhancing safety and preparedness for potential disaster scenarios.