Natural Hazards Flashcards
What is a natural hazard
A natural process which could cause death, harm, or injury to humans or their possessions
What is a natural disaster
A natural hazard that has already happened
How does vulnerability effect hazard risk
E.g. area on a flood plain is more likely suffer from flooding, and an area at the base of a volcano is more likely to suffer from an eruption.
The more people there are in an area at risk, the greater the probability they will suffer from a natural hazard
How does capacity to cope effect the hazard risk from natural hazards
The better a population can cope with an extreme event the lower the risk they will be severely effected by it.
How does the nature of natural hazards effect the hazard risk
Som hazards carry greater risk than others
Natural hazards that occur more often carry greater risks
The greater the magnitude of a hazard, the worser its effects
What are examples of primary effects
Destruction of buildings and roads
Cutting off of communications
Death and injury of people
Crops and water supplies can be contaminated
What are examples of secondary effects
Aid is unable to get through to help due to prior destruction of transportation facilities
A shortage of food and water can lead to lack of sanitation increases risk of disease
Food shortages can occur if livestock and crops are damaged
Weakening of economy, if business are damaged, people can become unemployed
Examples of immediate responses
Evacuation, treatment to injured, recover dead bodies, providing of food drink and shelter
Examples of long-term responses
Repairing of homes, repairing of buildings and roads, reconnect broken electricity, water and gas supplies, improve building regulations, improve monitoring of risks, boost economic recovery
