🌋3.1.5.1 - The concept of Hazard in Geographical Context Flashcards
What is hazard risk?
The probability or chance that a natural hazard may take place
What are geophysical hazards?
Driven by earth’s own internal energy sources
e.g. earthquakes
What is an atmospheric hazard?
Driven by the atmosphere / climate e.g. tropical storms, drought, wildfires
What are hydrological hazards?
Driven by water bodies, mainly oceans
What are the cultural factors affecting hazard perception?
If people have lived in a dangerous place for generations, they have more knowledge and a very different perception of risk
How do economic factors affect hazard perception?
. In HICs, people can be constantly educated in the risks of hazards - can lead them to believe they’re worse than they really are.
. In LICs people have very little to loose so are more relaxed
What is an earthquake?
The shaking and vibration of the Earth’s crust due to movement of the tectonic plates
What is a volcano?
An opening in the Earth’s crust which allows molten rock from beneath the crust to reach the surface
What is hazard perception?
The way an individual understands and reacts to a hazard
What is frequency?
How often a certain event occurs
What is Magnitude?
The size/scale/weighting an event has
What is Fatalism?
. Russian roulette/optimistic approach
. Hazards are ‘God’s will’ and losses are accepted
. Lack of alternatives due to economic reasons
. Events seem normal, people lived through them many times
What is adaption/adjustment?
When a town or city starts to change their way of living p to fit natural disasters into their everyday lives. Buildings are changed, such as in Christchurch
What is Prediction?
Knowing when a hazard will occur and can reduce death toll. Included seismic monitoring of volcanoes, measuring gas emissions, observing weather systems etc…
What is Mitigation?
Any action taken to reduce or eliminate the threat to property or human life as a result of a natural hazard. Includes the ideas of adaptions and preparation, but also anything done on an individual level.
What is risk sharing?
Spreading the risk reduces one individual/groups damage making it more acceptable. May also involve sharing financial burden and possible management strategies.
What is management?
Little can be done, but often depends on wealth
What does the Park Model of hazard response consider?
Considers how the standard of living and economic status of an affected area changes following an event
What is social stability?
When a place is not affected by things such as civil war, corrupt governments, hazards etc.
What is resilience?
How able a community is to adapt and recover
What is emergency?
The state in which normal procedures are suspended and measures are taken
What are the 4 stages on the Park Model?
Pre-disaster
Relief
Rehabilitation
Reconstruction
What are the 5 stages in the hazard response cycle?
Hazard Event —> Response —> Recovery —> Prevention/Mitigation —> Preparation —> Hazard…
What does relief comprise of in the Park model?
The immediate local and possibly global response in the form of aid, expertise and search and rescue.
What does rehabilitation comprise of in the Park Model?
A longer phase lasting weeks or months, where infrastructure and services are restored, albeit possibly temporarily, to allow the reconstruction phase to begin as soon as possible.
What does the reconstruction phase comprise of the in Park model?
Restoring the same or better quality o life as before the event took place, likely including mitigation’s against a similar level of disruption if the event occurs again.
Use experience of the event to improve
Rebuild homes, regrow crops, mitigate
What does Preparedness comprise of in the hazard response cycle?
Education and public awareness to reduce human causes, adjusting behaviour to minimise the likely impact of the hazard. Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath.
What does response comprise of the in Hazard response cycle?
Dependent on the effectiveness of the emergency plan in place. Immediate response focuses on saving lives and coordinating medical assistance.
What does recovery comprise of in the Hazard response cycle?
Restoring the affected area to something approaching normality. In the short term, restoration of services and in the long term, planning and reconstruction.
Name some factors that influence peoples’ perception
Socio-Economic status
Personality
Religion / ethnic background
Level of Education
Past experience
Occupation
3 main ways to perceive a hazard
Fear- feel vunerable
Adaptation- prepare- prevent and protect
Fatalism- part of the area- God’s will
4 reasons why people put themselves at risk of hazards
Unpredictable- can’t predict frequency, magnitude or scale
Lack of alternatives- can’t just uproot (employment, land etc)
Changing risk level- once safe places aren’t anymore (deforestation)
Cost/ benefit- fertile soils, geothermal energy, outweighs the risk
Park Model- Pre-Disaster Phase
Reduce / prevent impact
Education, land zoning, warning systems, insurance
Park Model- What can the recovery depend on?
Type of hazard
Degree of preparation
Speed of relief
Nature of the recovery/ rebuild
Hazard Management Cycle- Mitigation/ Prevention
. Minimise effects of future disasters
. Direct intervention- earthquake proof buildings
. Natural barriers- mangroves
. Support post disaster- insurance and aid
Hazard Management Cycle- Problem of insurance?
Unavailable in LIC’s and high risk HIC areas, so those who need it can’t access it
Distribution
Spatial coverage of a hazard, which can be small up to global
Where a hazard can occur
Hazard management cycle
Park model
