1.4 The Relationship Between Hazards, Vulnerability, Resilience and Disaster

Question 1

1.4a Definitions

natural hazard

Answer 1

A naturally occurring process or event that has the potential to affect people

Question 2

1.4a Definitions

natural disaster

Answer 2

a major natural hazard that causes significant social, economic and environmental damage

often natural disasters have fulfil this criteria

• 10 or more deaths
• 100 or more people affected
• US $1 million in economic losses

Degg’s Model shows the intersection between a hazardous natural event, such as an earthquake, hurricane or landslide and a vulnerable population which experiences human and/or economic loss, to create a disaster

Question 3

1.4a Definitions

vulnerability

Answer 3

vulnerability is the ability to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from a natural hazard event

Question 4

1.4a Definitions

resilience

Answer 4

resilience is the ability to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure from destruction, and to restore areas after a natural hazard has occurred

some communities have a high capacity to cope and a high resilience. This means they can reduce the chances of disaster occurring because:

• they have emergency evacuation, rescue and relief systems in place
• they react by helping each other, to reduce numbers affected
• hazard-resistant design or land-use planning have reduced the numbers at risk

Question 5

1.4a Definitions

hazard risk equation

Answer 5

risk = (hazard x vulnerability) / capacity to cope

Question 6

1.4a Definitions

the risk-perception process

NOT ON SPECIFICATION

DETAIL IN HODDER TEXTBOOK

Answer 6

DETAIL IN HODDER TEXTBOOK

absorptive capacity –> adjustment necessary

Question 7

1.4b PAR model and the relationship between hazard and wider context

PAR model

DETAIL IN HODDER TEXTBOOK

Answer 7

Risk = hazard + vulnerability

Progression of vulnerability > disaster < natural hazards

Question 8

1.4b PAR model and the relationship between hazard and wider context

relationship between risk, hazards and people

Answer 8

1. unpredictability- people may be caught out by either the timing or magnitude of the event
2. lack of alternatives- people in hazardous areas due to lack of other options; this my be for economic reasons, lack of space to move, or lack of skills or knowledge
3. dynamic hazards- threat from hazards may increase or decrease over time due to the human influence on hazard events
4. cost-benefit - the benefits of a hazardous location may outright the risks (perception of risks may play a role here)
5. ‘Russian roulette reaction’- the acceptance of risks whatever you do

Question 9

1.4b PAR model and the relationship between hazard and wider context

PAR model- progression of vulnerability

Answer 9

Progression of vulnerability includes root causes, dynamic pressures and unsafe conditions

Root causes:

• limited access to power/structures/resources
• political systems and economic systems (ideologies)

Dynamic pressures:

• lack of appropriate skills, training, local investment, press freedom, ethical standards in public life
• rapid population change (macro-force)
• rapid urbanisation (macro-force)
• deforestation (macro-force)
• arms expenditure (macro-force)
• debt repayment schedules (macro-force)

Unsafe conditions:

• fragile physical environment
• fragile local economy
• vulnerable society
• public actions

Question 10

1.4b PAR model and the relationship between hazard and wider context

PAR model- natural hazards

Answer 10

natural hazards:

• volcanic eruptions
• earthquakes
• flooding
• drought
• storms
• landslides
• pests and diseases

Question 11

1.4c The social and economic impacts of tectonic hazards

Answer 11

(volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis)

on the people, economy and environment of contrasting locations in the developed, emerging and developing world

CASE STUDIES:
JAPANESE TSUNAMI (DEVELOPED)
HAITI EARTHQUAKE (DEVELOPING)