Geography -hazards: what is a hazard

Question 1

What is a hazard?

Answer 1

a natural hazard is a natural event or process which has the potential to effect people (kill or injure people) (economic damage).

Question 2

What is a natural event?

Answer 2

an event that doesn’t effect people or property.

Question 3

What is a natural disaster?

Answer 3

a natural event that kills over 10 people, effects over 100, results in a state of emergency and the need for international help.

Question 4

What are the 3 types of hazard?

Answer 4

.geophysical.
.atmospheric.
.hydrospheric.

Question 5

When is a hazard a disaster?

Answer 5

.kills over 10 people
.effects over 10 people.
.government declaration of emergency.
.request by government for international assistance.

Question 6

What makes an area more vulnerable?

Answer 6

.proximity to the hazard.
.population density.
.level of development.
.magnitude of the hazard.
.duration of the hazard.
.frequency of the hazard.
.demographic of the area.

Question 7

Why do people put themselves at risk?

Answer 7

.hazards are unpredictable: -cannot predict frequency, magnitude more scale.
.lack of alternatives: -people cannot simply move from one place to another due to social, political, cultural and economic reasons.
.changing level of risk: -places that were once relatively safe may not be safe anymore.
.cost/benefit: -many hazardous areas offer benefits that outweigh the risk.

Question 8

What is the risk equation?

Answer 8

.(hazard x vulnerability to the hazard) / capacity to cope or recover.