Chapter 1 Flashcards
Natural Hazard
An Earth process that is a potential threat to human life or
property
Natural Disaster
A hazardous Earth process that occurs over a limited period
of time in a defined area and significantly affects people or property
Catastrophe
A massive disaster that requires a significant expenditure of
money and time for recovery
What is the difference between a natural disaster and a natural hazard?
To be a disaster, the event must affect people or property
Hazards are _____ each other
linked to/associated with
Hazards that previously produced disasters may now produce _____. Why?
Catastrophes, because of climate change and an increasing number of people and property in the way of natural hazards every year
Risk analysis is based on
the probability of an event and the likely damages
Hazards are ____ and ____
predictable and understandable
Why do people live in risky areas?
Natural service functions and human foibles (inability to assess risk correctly and optimism bias)
Magnitude is _____ and _____ to frequency
inversely and proportional
Recurrence Interval
The average time interval between events of a certain size
Frequency
The change an event of a certain size will occur in a particular year
Risk
The frequency of an event multiplied by the expected cost incurred from the event
If an event has a recurrence interval of 50 years, what is the chance it will happen this year?
2%
What are the phases of disaster management?
Assessment, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery
Assessment
Analyze and document the possibility of a disaster and the potential impacts on life, property, and the environment
Examples of assessment
What areas are most susceptible?
What hazards are associated with the natural event?
How large of an area is affected?
Mitigation
Activities to reduce the possibility or consequences of disasters:
The mitigation phase focuses on long-term activities for reducing or
eliminating risk
Examples of mitigation
Structural and technological solutions such as levees
Non-structural solutions such as legislation, land-use planning, and insurance
Preparedness
Planning and measures to prepare for those potential impacts
that can’t be mitigated.
Examples of preparedness
Communication plans
Maintenance and training of emergency services
Development of emergency warning systems
Emergency shelters and evacuation plans
Maintain disaster supplies and equipment
Develop organizations of trained volunteers
Examples of response
Mobilization of emergency services
Help victims with rescue and medical care
Stabilize the situation by providing food, clean water, and shelter
Prevent secondary damages
Recovery
Restoring the affected area to its previous state
Examples of recovery
Short term: help people get back to normal life
Long term: rebuild with future hazards in mind
