Concept of Hazards - 3.1.5.1 Flashcards
Natural Hazard
A natural event that has a perceived (but not actual - yet!) threat to humans and the things we care about (life and property).
Natural Phenomenon:
The occurrence of a extreme natural event that happens at a given place and time that does not affect humans
Hazardous Event
An natural phenomenon that occurs near humans but causes little harm to human.
Natural Disaster:
An hazardous event that causes unacceptably large loss of life or property damage.
Geophysical hazards
Hazards driven by the earth’s internal energy sources
Tectonic hazards
Hazards originating underneath the earth surface
Atmospheric hazards
Hazards originating in the atmosphere
hydrological hazards
Hazards originating from movement of water
Risk
The potential for people to be harmed and suffer losses.
vulnerability
The exposure (level of protection) of people to a hazardous event presenting a potential threat to themselves, their processions and property. It affects their ability to anticipate, resist and recover from a natural hazard.
Exposure
The level of protection you have from something harmful.
Risk Equation
Risk = Hazard x vulnerability.
Perception
How people regard, understand and interpret a hazard? Depending on their age, experience, family status etc…
Fatalism Perspective
Where people believe that hazards are part of life and if religious, acts of God. Loses are inevitable and people do not prepare - only react. Also called Acceptance.
Adaption Perspective
Hazards will happen and are influenced by natural (when, when and size) and human factors (vulnerability). Therefore, they can be predicted and prepared for, depending on the economic circumstances of the area
Domination Perspective
Scientific research can predict the where, when and size of a hazard. Technology can reduce or stop their impacts.
Disaster Management Cycle
A model which outlines the methods to reduce hazards, prevent disasters and prepare for emergencies.
Preparedness
What happens before the natural hazard to minimise risk and vulnerability.
Response
How people react to hazardous event (Two types - immediate and long term)
Recovery
To return an affected area back to normal.
Mitigation
To devise ways to reduce the severity of hazards in the future (can happen before and after the hazard).
Prevention
Actions aimed at stopping the natural hazard from starting.
Prediction
To provide warnings (from scientific monitoring) that enable action to take place.
Protection
To protect people and possessions by modifying the built up environment.
Adjustment
How people change their behaviour or surroundings to minimise the risks and maximise the benefits.
Capacity Building
The process of developing and strengthening your communities, infrastructure and emergency services to ensure that natural hazards have minimal impact.
Park Model
A model which outlines a disaster response curve - which shows how the effects of a hazard affect the quality of life over a sequence of time.
Relief
The process of responding to a disaster and providing humanitarian aid to people suffering.
Rehabilitation
Once the immediate impacts are under control, people start to resolve longer term problems e.g. providing temporary shelters
Reconstruction
The act of restoring the physical and community structures after a hazard event.
