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”