Concept of Natural Hazards Flashcards
What is a natural hazard?
A natural hazard is an natural occurence which threatens both human life and property.
What is a natural disaster?
A natural occurence which has caused loss of life or damage to property and created disruption to human life.
How can risk be defined?
The potential threat which people are exposed to from a natural hazard.
Why do people put themselves at risk of hazardous events?
-The events are unpredictable.
-There is often a lack of alternatives.
-There can be a sudden change in the level of risk.
-The cost/benefit of evacuating.
-Perception on hazards.
How does the lack of alternatives cause people to be at risk of hazardous events?
People are often unable to swiftly evacuate from their homes, land and employment.
How does a changing level of risk cause people to remain at risk of hazardous events?
Places that were once safe can suddenly become very dangerous leaving little to no time to evacuate or creating a larger risk altogether.
How can the costs/benefits of remaining at risk influence peoples decisions on evacuating risk?
Some people may consider the potential threat of a hazardous event to be insignificant when compared to the benefits of living there.
How can peoples perception of risks influence their evacuation plans?
Peoples choice to stay despite risk often stems from a fatalist attitude, whereas a fearful attitude would urge you to evacuate.
What are the 4 perceptions of natural hazards?
-Fatalism
-Adaptation
-Fear
-Resiliance.
What is fatalism?
Acceptance that losses are inevitable and that nothing can be done to counteract this.
What is adaptation?
People believing that they can prepare for, and survive the hazardous events by prediction, prevention and protection.
What is fear?
The perception of the hazard that people feel so vulnerable about the event that they must evacuate.
