hazards

Question 1

define the word ‘hazard’ (3)

Answer 1

• a threat to human life and property caused by an event
• they can be human caused of occur naturally (natural hazards)
• an event will only become a hazard when its a threat to people

Question 2

what is the difference between hazards and natural disasters? (2)

Answer 2

• a disaster will only occur when a vulnerable population is exposed to a hazard
• if the population isn’t vulnerable, the hazard won’t have a significant effect, thus the event won’t be disasterous

Question 3

define ‘vulnerable population’ (1)

Answer 3

• one that will be significantly disrupted and damaged

Question 4

what are the three major types of geographical hazard? (3)

Answer 4

• geophysical
• atmospheric
• hydrological

Question 5

define ‘geophysical hazard’ (2)

Answer 5

• hazards caused by land processes, particularly tectonic plates
• e.g. volcanoes

Question 6

define ‘atmospheric hazard’ (2)

Answer 6

• hazards caused by atmospheric processes and the conditions created by these, such as weather systems
• e.g. wildfires

Question 7

define ‘hydrological hazard’ (2)

Answer 7

• hazards caused by water bodies and movement
• e.g. floods

Question 8

can hazards be more than one geographical process? (2)

Answer 8

• yes
• a tropical storm could be classed as an hydrological-atmospheric hazard as both of these processes contribute to the hazard

Question 9

define ‘hydrometeorological hazard’ (2)

Answer 9

• a hazard that is both atmospheric and hydrological
• for example a tropical storm

Question 10

define ‘hydrometeorological hazard’ (2)

Answer 10

• a hazard that is both atmospheric and hydrological
• for example a tropical storm

Question 11

what is hazard perception? (3)

Answer 11

• when people have different viewpoints of how dangerous hazards are and what risks they pose
• these perceptions are dependent on lifestyle factors, including economic and cultural elements
• these factors are of individual people rather than an entire populations’ views

Question 12

what effect does wealth have on hazard perception? (4)

Answer 12

• wealthier people tend to perceive a hazard to be smaller as they’re less vulnerable
• they have the ability to evacuate with transport access, build stronger houses etc.
• however, they may also view a risk as greater as there’s more risk of property damage and financial loss than someone less wealthy
• this is dependent on the person

Question 13

what affect does experience have on hazard perception (3)

Answer 13

• someone who’s experienced more hazards may be more likely to understand the full effects of a hazard
• however, there’s also studies suggesting that people who have experienced hazards are likely to have an optimistic and unrealistic outlook on future hazards
• almost like a ‘lightning never strikes the same place twice’ mentality

Question 14

what affect does education have on hazard perception? (2)

Answer 14

• a person who’s more educated about hazards may understand their full effects on people, how devastating they can be, and how devastating they’ve been in the past
• those who are less educated may not understand the full extent of a hazard and may not evaluate etc.

Question 15

what affect does religion and beliefs have on hazard perception? (2)

Answer 15

• some may view hazards as put there by god for a reason, or as being part of the ‘natural cycle of life’ so they may not perceive them to be negative
• those who believe strongly in environmental conservation may perceive hazards to be a huge risk to the natural environment, especially when theyre becoming more frequent due to global warming

Question 16

what affect does mobility have on hazard perception? (2)

Answer 16

• those who have limited access to escape a hazard may perceive hazards to be greater threats than they are
• people in a secluded location, or impaired with a disability or illness - may feel more at risk because they can’t easily leave