Aspects of Hazards

Question 1

Why might low incidence hazards be more difficult to manage?

Answer 1

they could be harder to predict and fewer management strategies in place

Question 2

What is the incidence of a hazard?

Answer 2

their frequency/how often they occur

Question 3

What is the distribution of hazards?

Answer 3

where they occur geographically

Question 4

How will hazard distribution impact hazard management?

Answer 4

areas with more hazards will have more management strategies, involving adaptation

Question 5

What is the intensity of a hazard?

Answer 5

the power of a hazard (how strong and how damaging)

Question 6

What is the magnitude of a hazard?

Answer 6

the size of a hazard, usually how intensity is measured

Question 7

How does hazard magnitude impact hazard management?

Answer 7

high magnitude hazards will have worse effects and require more mitigation and management strategies

Question 8

How does level of development impact hazard management?

Answer 8

economic development impacts how a place can respond, areas of lower development are far less likely to have mitigation strategies

Question 9

Briefly outline the challenges of hazard management in Canada

Answer 9

• wildfires increasing due to climate change
• less money and resources have been available for EQ and tsunami preparation
• evacuation routes and sirens are not available in some areas (eg Vancouver Island)

Question 10

What are some limitations of models?

Answer 10

• hazards are not universal and some may be more complex (eg Haiti and Park Model)
• Models don’t take into account factors impacting the severity of hazards/their impacts
• will they change in future (climate change)