Hazards: concept of a hazard Flashcards
What is a natural hazard?
A perceived event that threatens both life and property (cause disruptions to human systems or built environment) for example volcanic activity or tropical storms
What are the three types of natural hazards?
- Geophysical (volcanic, mass movement, tsunami)
- Atmospheric (storm, wildfire, drought)
- Hydrological (avalanche, flood)
What is the meaning of risk?
The likelihood that humans will be seriously affected by the hazard
What is the meaning of vulnerability?
How susceptible a population is to the damage caused by a hazard
What is meant by a disaster?
When a hazard has affected life and property
What are the common characteristics of natural hazards?
- often short warning before the event
- clear origins with distinctive effects
- most loss of life happens after the event
- scale and intensity of events requires emergency response
- exposure to risk is involuntary
What is a geophysical hazard?
Originate from solid earth, driven by the Earth’s internal energy
What is an atmospheric hazard?
Originate in the atmosphere, driven by meteorological and
climatic processes
What is a hydrological hazard?
Originate in surface and subsurface freshwater and saltwater, driven by processes in the water bodies
What are the reasons why people make themselves vulnerable to hazards?
- events are unpredictable
- lack of alternatives due to social/political/economic/cultural factors
- level of risk has changed over time
- benefits may outweigh risks
- individual perception
How does vulnerability vary over time and space?
- as wealth and technology of a place greatly influence the impacts of a natural hazard
- wealthy/high HDI countries are able to invest in protection (e.g. sea walls, emergency services) or have the resources for widespread education of hazards and risks
- poor/low HDI countries don;’t have capacity or wealth to implement strategies
- for example rapid urbanisation forces people to live in hazardous conditions
What are some economic factors that influence hazard perception?
Socio-economic status Level of Education Occupation/Employment status Religion/culture/ethnic background Family status Past experience Values, personality and expectations
How does socio-economic status influence hazard perception?
- wealthier areas = strong sense of being prepared as they’ve built communities to withstand hazard
- poorer areas may view it as a way of life
How does education influence hazard perception?
better understanding of risks or know how to mitigate them
What is fatalism hazard perception?
A view of a hazard event that suggests that people cannot influence the outcome, nothing can be done to mitigate it, outcome becomes “God’s Will”