Natural Hazards Flashcards
What is a natural hazard?
A natural process which could cause death, injury, or disruption to humans, or destroy property and possessions.
What is a natural disaster?
A natural hazard that has actually happened.
What are the two main types of natural hazards?
Geological Hazards - caused by land and tectonic processes (volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, avalanches)
Meteorological Hazards - caused by weather and climate (tropical storms and other extreme weather - heatwaves & cold spells)
What is hazard risk?
The probability of people being affected by a hazard in a particular area.
What are the factors that affect hazard risk?
Vulnerability - the more people in an area exposed to NHs, the greater the probability they will be affected by a NH. E.g. high population density on a flood plain is very vulnerable to flooding by extreme weather.
Capacity to cope - the better a population can cope with an extreme event, the lower the risk of them being severely affected. E.g. HICs are better able to cope with flooding - can afford to build flood defences and evacuate people.
Nature of natural hazards - Type - the risk from some NHs is greater than others. E.g. tropical storms can be monitored but earthquakes are sudden.
Frequency - NHs that occur more often may carry a higher risk.
Magnitude - more severe NHs tend to have the greatest effects.
What is a primary effect?
The immediate impact caused by the hazard itself.
What is a secondary effect?
Happen later on and are often a result of the primary effects.
What are some examples of primary effects?
Building and roads destroyed by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or tropical storms.
People are injured or killed.
Crops and water supplies damaged or contaminated.
Electricity cables, gas pipes, and communication networks can be damaged - cutting off supplies.
What are some examples of secondary effects?
The initial hazard can trigger other hazards - earthquakes can trigger tsunamis.
Aid and emergency vehicles can’t get through due to blocked roads or bridges - can cause more deaths.
Shortage of clean water and lack of proper sanitation makes it easier for disease to spread.
Food shortage - from damaged crops, killed livestock, or blocked communication lines.
The country’s economy can be weakened - business damage can cause unemployment and reconstruction can be expensive.
What are some examples of immediate responses?
Evacuate people - before if possible.
Treat injured and rescue anyone cut off by damage to roads/bridges.
Recover dead bodies to prevent disease spreading.
Provide temporary supplies of electricity and gas.
Provide food, drink, and shelter to people without homes.
Foreign governments or charities may send aid workers, supplies, or donations.
What are some examples of long term responses?
Repair homes or rehouse people.
Repair or rebuild buildings, roads, railways, and bridges.
Reconnect broken electricity, water, gas, and communication connections.
Improve forecasting, monitoring, and evacuation plans.
Improve building regulations to withstand similar future hazards.
Boost economy recovery - promote tourism.
