Geohazards

Question 1

Difference between hazard and risk

Answer 1

Hazard- something that can cause harm
Risk- chance of harm being caused

Risk=hazard x Elements at risk x vulnerability

Question 2

Natural Hazards

Answer 2

e.g. earthquakes, tropical cyclones, or coastal erosion

Question 3

Anthropogenic hazards

Answer 3

e.g. water pollution, nuclear fallout

Question 4

Elements at risk/exposure

Answer 4

e.g. population, buildings and civil engineering works, economic activities, public services, utilities and infrastructure.

Expressed as population size monetary terms.

Question 5

Vulnerability

Answer 5

The impact a hazard has on people, infrastructure and the economy. Aspects of vulnerability to natural hazards can be measured “…the potential for loss..”

Vulnerability factors can be divided into three main areas; physical, social and economic

Question 6

Physical Vulnerability

Answer 6

“The properties of physical structures that determine their potential damage in case of a disaster (e.g. Material type, construction quality)” (Ebert et al, 2008)

Question 7

Social Vulnerability

Answer 7

“people’s capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from the impacts of a natural hazard” (Wisner et al 2004)

“disasters don’t kill people, people kill people”
-earthquakes don’t kill people, building do

Question 8

Economic Vulnerability

Answer 8

Deadliest disasters typically happen in LEDC’s due to lack of planning (due to how pricey preventive measures can be).
The most costliest disasters typically happen in MEDCs.

Question 9

Magnitude and Return period

Answer 9

Risk assessments can provide information on which communities are most vulnerable to earthquakes or how many people would be left homeless by a 1 in 100 year flood or a magnitude 6.5 earthquake.

Question 10

Risk management

Answer 10

Risk management involved assessing and treating risk

Risk assessment:
        -Risk analysis 
         Hazard and risk identification;
         Impact/consequences?
        -Risk evaluation (is the risk acceptable or 
          tolerable?)

Risk treatment- accepting or reducing the risk

Question 11

Complexities in Geohazard assessment

Answer 11

1) Hazard cascades (“chain reactions”)
Example: landslides in New Zealand

2) People
    Population Change
    Behaviour 
    Cultural considerations
    Etc. 

3) Communication & Engagement
*(mis) Trust of experts
Example: Flood and Air Pollution Risk in Manchester