1.4 Why do some hazards develop into disasters?

Question 1

what is a hazard?

Answer 1

A perceived natural event that has the potential to threaten both life and property.

Question 2

Degg’s Disaster Model

Answer 2

If a hazard occurs but doesn’t create any vulnerability such as property loss, death, poverty, ect. then it is only a hazard.

Question 3

Types of vulnerability

Answer 3

Social
economic
environmental
physical
knowledge

Question 4

Factors affecting vulnerability

Answer 4

1) Size of vulnerable population
2)Population density
3)A country’s level of Development
4)An individual’s wealth
5)Public education
6)Recent Hazard events
7)Early warning systems
8)Building codes
9)Governance
10)Effective Lines of Communication
11)Emergency personnel
12)insurance cover

Question 5

What is the hazard risk equation?

Answer 5

Risk = Hazard x exposure x vulnerability x manageability.

Question 6

PAR MODEL (Pressure and release model)

Answer 6

Progression of vulnerability=
Root causes: eg. Ideologies and limited access to things such as power and resources –>
Dynamic pressures: e.g lack of things such as press freedom, local investment and training also macro forces such as rapid population change, urbanistation or deforestation
—>
Unsafe conditions:: such as physical environment, local economy, social relations, and public actions

Then —>

Disaster

<—– Hazard

Question 7

Advantages of the Degg Model

Answer 7

Clearly demonstrates that if the population is not vulnerable, the hazard will not have a significant effect, thus the event will not be ​disastrous​.

Question 8

Disadvantages of the Degg Model

Answer 8

1)Relationships between risk, hazards and people are complicated due to unpredictability of timing and magnitude.
2)Lack of alternatives
3)Hazards are dynamic as threats change over time

Question 9

Advantages of the PAR model

Answer 9

1)uses a holistic approach
2)uses systematic perspective
3)inclusive
4)promotes sustainable development
5)adaptable to different contexts and scales
6)Facilitates easy communication

Question 10

Disadvantages of the PAR model

Answer 10

1)Complex, difficult to apply due to interconnected factors.
2)It doesn’t account for culture
3)Requires more information to understand it and it does not provide precise quantitive measures.