Hazards

Question 1

What is a natural hazard

Answer 1

a perceived event that threatens both life and property

Question 2

What is a natural disaster

Answer 2

a hazard becoming reality leading to damage and casualties

Question 3

What is a geophysical hazard

Answer 3

driven by the Earth’s own internal energy sources

Question 4

Examples of geophysical hazards

Answer 4

plate tectonics
volcanoes
seismic activity

Question 5

What are atmospheric hazards

Answer 5

driven by processes at work in the atmosphere

Question 6

Examples of atmospheric hazards

Answer 6

Droughts
Tropical storms

Question 7

What are hydrological hazards

Answer 7

drivenby water bodies, mainly the oceans

Question 8

Examples of hydrological hazards

Answer 8

floods, storm surges and tsunamis

Question 9

What are common characteristics of hazards

Answer 9

• the scale and intensity of the event often requires emergency response
• there are immediate effects and long term effects of the hazard
• short warning times
• exposure to the risk of the hazard is involuntary (applies more to LICs)
• effects are distinctive e.g. earthquakes collapse buildings

Question 10

Why do people live near hazards

Answer 10

• the events are unpredictable
• lack of alternatives to move and leave behind homes and jobs
• changing level of risk, they may have previously been safe
• cost/benefit : positives outweigh risks
• people’s perceptions on hazards (it won’t happen to us)

Question 11

What are the different perception of a natural hazard from the population

Answer 11

Fear - they feel vulnerable to the event and can no longer face living there so move away

Adaptation - people use prediction, prevention and protection to survive the hazard

Fatalism - some communities believe it’s “gods will”

Question 12

Factors that affect hazard perception

Answer 12

Wealth - wealthier people may view themselves a less vulnerable due to better housing or more vulnerabke as they have more to lose

Experience - people who have experienced more hazards may fully understand the process of preparation and protection therefore same vulnerable

Education - same as experience

Religion and beliefs - some may view hazards as put there by god for a reason so may not perceive them as negative therefore more vulnerable

Mobility - people may have limited access to evacuate putting them at high risk

Question 13

Definition : prediction

Answer 13

Using scientific research and past events in order to know when a hazard will take place so that warnings may be delivered and impacts of hazards can be reduced

Question 14

Definition : adaptation

Answer 14

Attempting to live with hazards by adjusting lifestyle choices so that vulnerability to the hazard is lessened
Example : earthquake proof buildings

Question 15

Definition : mitigation

Answer 15

Strategies carried out to lesson the severity of a hazard
Example : sandbags to protect houses from flooding

Question 16

Characteristics of a hazard that will affect human responses

Answer 16

• frequency
• distribution
• intensity
• magnitude
• level of development

Question 17

What does the Park Model show

Answer 17

• human responses to hazards
• the steps carried out in recovery after an event
• shows a rough time frame

Question 18

What information can be gathered from the curve on the Park Model

Answer 18

The steepness of the curve shows how quickly and area deteriorates

The depth of the curve shows the scale of the disaster

• can be compared to other hazards

Question 19

Stage 1 (The Park Model)

Answer 19

Relief ( hours - days )

• immediate local response : aid, search and rescue
• appeal for foreign aid

Question 20

Stage 2 (The Park Model)

Answer 20

Rehabilitation ( days - weeks )

• services begin to be restored
• temporary shelters and hospitals set up
• food and water distributed
• co ordinated foreign aid

Question 21

Stage 3 (The Park Model)

Answer 21

Reconstruction ( weeks - years )

• restoring the area to the same or better quality of life
• ecosystems and crops restored
• infrastructure rebuilt

Question 22

How is the Park Model useful

Answer 22

• can be used to analyse different types of response and the sequence in which they happen
• can compare impacts and responses between hazards in different countries to help places respond better
• help authorities to plan responses at each stage

Question 23

Criticisms of The Park Model

Answer 23

• doesn’t take into account levels of development in the country
• doesn’t show factors such as magnitude and frequency of hazards and how these may affect responses
• further hazards may disrupt the recovery phase which isn’t shown
• doesn’t account secondary effects (landslides)

Question 24

What is the hazard management cycle

Answer 24

A process where governments and other organisations work together to protect people

Question 25

What does the hazard management cycle aim to do

Answer 25

• avoid or reduce loss of life and property
• provide help
• ensure a rapid recovery

Question 26

What are the features of the hazard management cycle

Answer 26

Mitigation
Preparation
Response
Recovery

Question 27

Definition : Fatalism

Answer 27

The viewpoint that hazards are uncontrollable natural events and any losses should be accepted as there is nothing that can be done to stop them

Question 28

Definition : Risk sharing

Answer 28

A form of community preparedness whereby the community shares the risk posed by a natural hazard and invests collectively to mitigate the impacts of future hazards