Hazards Basics

Question 1

Define Hazards:

Answer 1

Phenomena that occur when the forces of nature (and sometimes human processes) combine to become destructive and have the potential to damage the environment and endanger communities.

Question 2

What are the differences between Hazard Events and Disasters?

Answer 2

• A Hazard is any phenomena that has the POTENTIAL to cause destruction to life and property. A Hazard becomes a disaster when it causes severe destruction, harming the life and property of humans.

Question 3

What 3 factors make up a disaster?

Answer 3

1: A potent (strong) event must occur
2: The Hazard event must occur near a concentration of people and property
3: The area and its’ people must be vulnerable to impacts of the hazard event

Question 4

Describe Spatial Distribution and describe its’ 3 types:

Answer 4

Arrangement of geographical phenomena (natural hazards) across the earth’s surface (can be uniform, random or clustered).

- Uniform Distribution is a pattern where each data point is spaced with relatively equal distance in a repeating pattern:
.     .     .     .
.     .     .     .
.     .     .     .
.     .     .     .

• Random Distribution is when there is no pattern between each data point; they are randomly scattered:

. …. . . . .
…. . …. .
. .. .. …
……. . . .. ..

- Clustered Distribution is when the majority of points are grouped (clustered) around a few specific locations. This is the most common form of Spatial Distribution for Hazards, as they are mainly ‘clustered’ around tectonic boundaries, a country’s coasts or other locations that are involved in these hazards. The example below represents earthquakes clustered around a tectonic plate boundary:
         .           .
 \……….    .
  .         \…….
       .     .…../
………. /    .

Question 5

Describe Spatial Association:

Answer 5

How variables are connected and related by where they are located (Such as earthquakes, which are directly associated with plate tectonics).

Question 6

Describe Temporal Distribution:

Answer 6

The distribution of geographical phenomena over time.

Question 7

Identify 5 categories of Hazards:

Answer 7

• Geomorphic (Natural)
• Atmospheric (Natural)
• Hydrological (Natural)
• Human
• Ecological

Question 8

Describe and give an example for Geomorphic Hazards:

Answer 8

Hazards created by the movement of the Earth’s surface or crust. Mainly driven by plate tectonics (when tectonic plates collide and interact with each other) and can cause earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes, as well as landslides.

Example: Earthquake, Christchurch 2011 (185 dead).

Question 9

Describe and give an example for Atmospheric Hazards:

Answer 9

Hazards created from atmospheric or weather processes, including storms, cyclones (also known as typhoons and hurricanes), tornadoes, frosts, heatwaves and bushfires.

Example: Bushfire, ‘Black Saturday’ Victoria 2009, 173 dead.

Question 10

Describe and give an example for Hydrological Hazards:

Answer 10

Hazards driven by hydrological processes in the water cycle, and are often categorised together with atmospheric hazards due to their similarities. Hydrological Hazards include floods, avalanches and blizzards.

Example: Hurricane Katrina + Flooding, New Orleans 2005, over 1800 dead

Question 11

Describe and give an example for Human Hazards:

Answer 11

Hazards that are directly caused by human activities, also known as technological hazards. Human hazards include situations such as an oil tanker sinking and leaking oil into the water, and car, train and plane accidents.

Example: Nuclear Meltdown, Chernobyl 1986, 31 immediate deaths

Question 12

Describe and give an example for Ecological Hazards:

Answer 12

A biological or chemical hazard that can negatively impact the wellbeing of people or the environment. Ecological hazards include both biological hazards (Natural, driven by biological processes. Includes infectious, animal-transmitted and waterborne diseases) and chemical hazards (Human, involve harmful chemical agents, such as oil and toxic or nuclear waste).

Example: Virus, COVID-19 2019-present, 5.95 million current deaths