5.1 - The concept of hazards Flashcards
Define hazard
A threat that could potentially cause damage, injury or death. Leads to socio-economic disruption to environmental degradation.
Define disaster
A major hazard event that causes widespread disruption
Criteria the UN uses to define a disaster (4)
10+ deaths
100+ affected
Declaration of a state of emergency
Request for assistance from government
4 types of hazard
Atmospheric
Geomorphological
Biological
Tectonic
Atmospheric hazard cause and 3 examples
Climate extremes
Drought, flood, tornado
Geomorphological hazard cause and 3 examples
Changes of slope
Avalanche, landslide, mudflow
Biological hazard cause and 3 examples
Living things
Pests, poisoning, bacteria/disease
Tectonic hazard cause and 3 examples
Plate margins
Tsunami, volcanic eruption, earthquake
Describe the disaster response curve
Flat then go down rapidly (hazardous geological event)
Going down - deterioration (quality of life, social stability, economic activity)
Go up slowly - recovery (temp. houses, rehabilitation)
Move past original point - improvement
Name 5 human hazards
Fire caused by arson Oil spill Disease created in a lab Explosion Dam failure
Name 5 physical factors
Earthquake Tsunami Landslide Tornado Drought
Shape of the disaster response curve (Parks’ model)
__
\ /
../
Name the 4 parts of the hazard management cycle (in order)
Response
Preparedness Recovery
Mitigation
Define response in terms of the hazard management cycle
Efforts created to minimise the hazards created by a disaster (search and rescue)
Define recovery in terms of the hazard management cycle
Returning the community to normal (temporary housing, medical care)
Define mitigation in terms of the hazard management cycle
Minimising the effects of the disaster (education, building codes)
Define preparedness in terms of the hazard management cycle
Planning how to respond (emergency exercises, warning systems)
Three approaches to hazard perception are …….
Acceptance, domination and adaption
What is acceptance in terms of hazard perception
Fatalistic tendencies, people believe hazards are a art of life or an act of God
What is domination in terms of hazard perception
Hazards are predictable and can be understood with scientific research
What is adaption in terms of hazard perception
Hazards are influenced by natural and human events. Magnitude and frequency can be based off experience
Define quasi-natural hazards
Caused by both human and natural factors
5 examples of a quasi-natural hazard and why they’re quasi natural
Wildfire - arson / BBQ Earthquake - fracking Tropical storm - global warming Deforestation Avalanche - skiing
Define compound hazard
Disaster that has 2 or more hazards
Compound hazard example
Cyclone - lightning, rain, storm surge
