Hazards

Question 1

Define Adaption:

Answer 1

In the context of hazards, adaption is the attempts by people or communities to live with hazard events. By adjusting their living conditions, people are able to reduce their levels of vulnerability. For example, they may avoid building on sites that are vulnerable to storm surges but stay within the same area.

Question 2

Define fatalism:

Answer 2

A view of a hazard event that suggests that people cannot influence or shape that outcome, therefore nothing can be done to mitigate against it. People with such an attitude put in place limited or no presentative measures. In some parts of the world, the outcome of a hazard event can be said to be ‘God’s will’.

Question 3

Define Natural Hazards:

Answer 3

Events which are perceived to be a threat to people, the built environment and the natural environment. They occur in the physical environments of the atmosphere, lithosphere and the hydrosphere.

Question 4

Define perception:

Answer 4

This is the way in which an individual or a group views the theatre of a hazard event. This will ultimately determine the course of action taken by individuals or the response they expect from governments and other organisations.