Natural Hazards Flashcards
What is a Natural Hazard?
A naturally occurring event that is a threat to the population.
Name the 3 main types of hazards.
Geological, Hydrological and Atmospheric.
What causes Geological hazards? Give an Example of one.
By processes on the land. e.g. Earthquakes, Volcanic eruption.
What causes Hydrological hazards? Give an Example of one.
By the movement of water on land. e.g. Flooding.
What causes Atmospheric hazards? Give an example of one.
By the weather. e.g. Tornadoes, Drought, Tropical storms.
What is a Hazard risk?
The probability a natural hazard will actually affect the population.
Name 5 factors affecting hazard risks.
Urbanisation, Population growth, Wealth, Climate change and Land use.
How does Urbanisation affect Hazard risk?
Urban areas are packed with infrastructure and housing. These structures collapes during Natural hazards which increases many people at risk.
How does Population growth affect Hazard risk?
As global population increases the demand in housing is exceeding the supply. This means people have to live in cheap houses which can not withstand a natural hazard and sometimes the houses are built in areas of higher risk.
How does Wealth affect Hazard risk?
Poverty can force populations to live in unsafe housing with less access to health care. Wealthier countries may be able to invest in good defences.
How does Climate change affect Hazard risk?
It has exposed more people to Natural hazards and has increased hazard risk in places which already experience hazards. For example, sea level rise.
How does Land use affect Hazard risk?
Many Floodplains are fertile which is great for farming. People therefore decide to live in these areas. These populations put higher risk of experiencing Flooding.
