Natural Hazards Key Words & Phrases Flashcards
What is a hydro-meteorological hazard?
A hazard formed by hydrological (floods) and atmospheric (storms and drought) processes.
What are context hazards?
Hazards that work on a global scale e.g. climate change.
What are super hazards?
Hazards that have the potential to cause catastrophic change.
What is a hazard?
A natural event that has the potential to cause harm to people and property.
What is a disaster?
A natural event that ‘causes significant damage on a vulnerable population’ - Dregg
What is the risk equation?
RISK = vulnerability x hazard (frequency + magnitude)/ capacity to cope
What is a geophysical hazard?
A hazard formed by tectonic processes. E.g. earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes
What is vulnerability?
A high risk combined with an inability of individuals and communities to cope.
What is a disaster hotspot?
A region of the world which is exposed to a range of hazards. They are likely to be where plate boundaries intersect with major storm belts in areas of high human concentration in developing countries.
Define anthropogenic.
Something that is caused or produced by humans.
Name 3 countries where there is high risk but low vulnerability.
Japan, New Zealand and the USA.
Name 3 countries where there is low risk and low vulnerability.
UK, France and Spain.
Name 3 countries where there is low risk but high vulnerability.
Bolivia, Angola and Mexico.
Name 3 countries where there is high risk and high vulnerability.
Bangladesh, Haiti and the Philippines.
What is the focus of an earthquake?
The point within the Earth’s crust where the pressure is released.
