Concept of Hazards Flashcards
What is a natural hazard
a threat that has the potential to cause loss of life, injury, property damage, socio-economic disruption & environmental degradation
What are the three categories of hazards
Geophysical
Hydrological
Atmospheric
What causes a geophysical hazard
Earth processes
What are the two types of geophysical hazards
Tectonic and geomorphological
What are three examples of tectonic hazards
Volcanic activity (eruptions)
Earthquakes
Tsunami
What causes a tectonic hazard
Caused by internal Earth processes
What causes a geomorphological hazard
Caused by external Earth processes
What are three types of geomorphological hazards
Landslides
Rockfalls
Rockslides
What causes a hydrological hazard
Movement and distribution of surface and underground water
What are two examples of hydrological hazards
Floods
Mudflows
What causes an atmospheric hazard
Processes operating in the atmosphere resulting in extreme weather or atmospheric conditions
What are six examples of atmospheric hazards
Tropical storms
Thunder storms
Blizzards
Drought
Wildfires
Sand storms
What is a natural disaster
A naturally occurring process or event which has the potential to cause loss of life or property
Why are some people more vulnerable to some hazards
- poverty
- lack of education
- failing political, social and economic systems
- lack of healthcare and hygiene
When does the The United Nations (UN) declare a natural hazard a natural disaster
- Report of 10+ people killed
- 100+ people affected
- Declared state of emergency by the relevant government
- Request for international aid from the relevant government
Why are some people more vulnerable to natural hazards
- poverty
- lack of education
- failing political, social & economic systems
- hazard prone areas
- poor building regulations
What are the three general approaches to hazard perception
- Fatalism
- Domination
- Adaption
What is fatalism
An optimistic or accepting approach, where people may believe that hazards are part of life or ‘acts of God’.
What is domination
Perspective that suggests that hazards are predictable and that they can be better understood by scientific research.
What is adaption
Perspective that hazards are influenced by natural and human events and so we can change our lives to reduce the impacts.
