Natural Hazards Flashcards
What is a natural hazard?
An event that is perceived to be a threat to people, the built environment and the natural environment
What are the different types of natural hazards?
Geophysical, hydrological and atmospheric
What are geophysical hazards?
Hazards caused by earth’s processes - Tectonics
Examples of geophysical hazards:
Volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides
What are hydrological hazards?
Hazards caused by the occurrence, movement and distribution of surface and underground water
Examples of hydrological hazards:
Floods, mudflows and avalanches
What are atmospheric hazards?
Hazards caused by processes operating in the atmosphere resulting in extreme weather or atmospheric conditions
Examples of atmospheric hazards:
Tropical storms, cyclones, thunder storms, blizzards, droughts and wildfires
Requirements to be a natural disaster
- 10+ people killed
- 100+ people affected
- A state of emergency declared and ask for international assistance
What are geomorphological hazards?
Caused by external earth processes operating
Examples of geomorphological hazards:
Landslides, rockfalls and rockslides
What is a natural disaster?
A naturally occurring g process or event which has the potential to cause loss of life or property (without people it’s just a natural event)
What is a risk?
The likelihood that humans will be affected by a hazard
What is vulnerability?
How susceptible a population is to damage caused by a hazard
Circumstances which affect perception of hazards
•Urban location -> The built environment causing limited safe space
•Age of population -> Less willing to leave or less capable e.g. financially or physically + emotionally
•Wealth -> Richer can afford to move to less hazard prone area or afford homes to withstand some hazards
•Religion -> Hazards sent as a ‘punishment’ from god
•Education -> Those who received proper education have a better understanding of how to handle these situations
•Past experiences
Underlying causes to hazard vulnerability:
•Poverty -> Limited access to power, infrastructure and resources
•Failing political, economic and social systems
Risk equation
Frequency/magnitude it hazard
——————————————— x100
Capability to cope
What is the fatalism view?
An optimistic or accepting approach, where people may believe that hazards are part of life or ‘act of God’
What is the domination view?
The perspective that suggests hazards are predictable and they can be better understood by scientific research
What is the adaptation view?
The perspective that takes the view of hazards are influenced by natural and human events and so we can change our lives to reduce the impacts
What is pre-disaster?
Before the event, the situation is normal
What is disruption?
During and directly after the hazard event occurs there is a destruction of property, loss of life etc. before people respond
What is relief?
The aftermath of the event, rescue efforts focus on saving people and preventing further damage
What is rehabilitation?
Once the immediate impacts are under control, people start to resolve longer-term problem, e.g. temporary shelter and aid
