Ecological and natural hazards Flashcards
hazard geography
-Study of both natural and anthropogenic hazards
-how a hazard occurs
-its distribution
-impacts it has on humans and the environment
-how humans minimize their impacts and risks
temporal distribution
distribution over time and how long it lasts
Magnitude (severity factor)
Measures of the strength or intensity of a hazard
Duration (severity factor)
length of time a hazard event lasts
Frequency (severity factor)
number of times an area experiences a hazard
Probability (severity factor)
likelihood of a hazard occurring in a particular location
Scale of Spatial impact (severity factor)
the extent of an area that is impacted by a hazard
Geomorphic hazard
driven by plate tectonics
e.g. earthquake, landslide
atmospheric hazard
created by weather processes
e.g. cyclones, bushfires
Hydrologic hazard
driven by water cycle processes
e.g. floods, blizzards
Ecological hazard
a biological or chemical hazard
spatial distribution
explains how a hazard is spread across the globe
e.g. unifrom, random, clustered
1.Mitigation-
Hazard Managment cycle
-moderate severity
-actions that are taken to minimize or eliminate the risk of a hazard
Role of spatial Technologies
illustrate what is happening to gain demonstrate an understanding and impact of the past and present situations
Preparedness-
Hazard Managment cycle
-prevention
-guaranteeing that emergency services and people at risk are aware of how to respond 
Recovery-
Hazard management cycle
action taken to return community to normal or improved conditions following a disaster
response-
Hazard management cycle
immediate actions taken during and immediately after disaster to ensure safety provide emergency assistance and reduce further damage 
LDCs
-higher population density
-Larger proportion of children
-lack of regulation of rules and enforcement on building codes, construction, and land use planning
-lack of capacity to recover
-lack of financial resources
-farming, economic activity
cultural factors
-variations in human settlement
-Distribution and vulnerability of population
-Economic development of a region
MDCS
-reduce risks associated with hazard
-reduce vulnerability and lower impact
-well built, structure, strict land use planning disaster planning
Proximity to human settlement
about the distance from ongoing hazard
-Measured and mapped by identifying different impact zones of a hazard(spatial impact)
-impact zones change, depending on type of hazard also geology, prevailing wins, landforms, aspect, slope, ecology, waterways, and land uses
spatial association
The degree which features are similar distributed
Association can be strong, moderate or weak
Vulnerability
high
assesses the risk level and how hazard event will affect life and property. More developed countries are less vulnerable and I’m more able to cope
high vulnerability- high risk of exposure to a hazard and inability to cope with a disastrous event
higu vulnerable
Poor countries which are close to the equator
Not able to rebuild what has been damaged
Less resources and power
Less stable building
Lack of training
Prevalence of hunger and endemic disease
Less vulnerable to hazards
Wealthier countries
Location
Warning system and level of organization
Education awareness
Risk of living close to hazard places
-unpredictability- people may be caught out by either the timing or magnitude of the event
-Lack of alternatives - people might not have access to other living places due to economic, social benefits, or no space
-Dynamic hazard - overtime, the thread of hazard may increase decrease in a place
-Cost versus benefits- the risk of living in a hazard prone region is worth the lifestyle
-Fatalism- acceptance that the risk is unavoidable believe in fate and God
-Adoption- are very prepared for the hazard
