The Concept of Hazards

Question 1

Define hazard risk

Answer 1

The probability/chance of a hazard actually occurring

Question 2

Define hazard perception

Answer 2

The reaction to hazards in different ways, because of the difference in the way of which we process and filter information

Question 3

What factors affect hazard perception?

Answer 3

• frequency
• cultural factors
  -> Naples at the foot of Mt Vesuvius (know risks yet haven’t occurred yet)
  -> some lives are linked to the hazard (geothermal energy for heating from Iceland)
  -> some believe they know the hazard, compared to non indigenous settlers (Indian ocean tsunami, 2004)
• economic factors
  -> more developed areas usually educate about hazards more, meaning perception is changed as people think the hazard will be worse than it is
  -> poorer nations: risk vs reward, having fewer material possessions too
  -> poorer nations: not well educated, meaning lack of perceived danger
  -> perception can change as environmental stress increases

Question 4

What are the 6 types of general human response to hazards?

Answer 4

• fatalism
• prediction
• mitigation
• adaptation/adjustment
• management
• risk sharing

Question 5

What is fatalism? (general response)

Answer 5

• the idea that nothing can be said or done about the hazard
• losses are absorbed
• can be due to people already living through hazards (view as normal), or economic reasons

Question 6

What is prediction? (general response)

Answer 6

• attempting to foresee a hazard
• is only worthwhile if it is acted upon
• can be using technologie
  -> seismic monitoring
  -> satellite observation of weather patterns
  -> volcanic emission using drones
  -> geological ground change
• can be due to visual signs
  -> off animal behaviour

Question 7

What is mitigation? (general response)

Answer 7

• action taken to eliminate damage to person or property
• reduces impact on individuals
• ideas have to go through cost benefit analysis

Question 8

What is adaptation/adjustment? (general response)

Answer 8

• changing ways of living to acclimatise better to hazards
• new design and infrastructure inputted by government plans
• research on prediction
• eg: review of the internal support of old buildings after the earthquake in Christchurch, 2010

Question 9

What is management? (general response)

Answer 9

• heavily dependant on wealth
  -> such as Japan spending billions on tsunami readings, whereas the Philippines have a simple weather system
• the general term for all types of response

Question 10

What is risk sharing? (general response)

Answer 10

• idea that spreading risk reduces the risk on an individual
• can be financially
  -> such as management adaptation strategies

Question 11

What are the factors that affect a population’s response to a hazard?

Answer 11

• location
• population density
• frequency
• magnitude
• type of hazard
• economic development
• distribution
• conflict

Question 12

What is the Park Model?

Answer 12

A graph that considers the relationship between standard of living and economic status after a hazard takes place

Question 13

What are the three stages of the Park Model?

Answer 13

• the relief phase (focuses on rescuing life and property, charity organisations distribute supplies)
• the rehabilitation phase (more complex, focuses on restoring physical and community structures; even if temporarily)
• the reconstruction phase (permanent changes to restore quality of life and economic stability, which could include mitigation and preparedness)

Question 14

What is the hazard management cycle?

Answer 14

The continuous cycle of preparation, response, recovery and prevention