The Concepts of Hazards Flashcards
What is a hazard?
A hazard is a threat which has the potential to cause injury, loss of life or damage to property. It can be either natural or caused by humans.
What is a natural hazard?
A naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or slow events which can be geographical, hydrological, climatological, meteorological or biological.
What is a disaster? How does the UN classify a disaster?
A disaster is the realisation of a hazard. UN defines this by:
- A report of ten or more people killed
- A report of 100 or more people affected
- A declaration of state emergency
- A request made by the national government for international aid.
What does a geophysical hazard refer to?
A hazard caused by the earth’s processes
What does a hydrological hazard refer to?
A hazard caused by the occurrence, movement, and distribution of surface and underground water.
What does an atmospheric hazard refer to?
A hazard caused by processes in the atmosphere resulting in extreme weather or atmospheric conditions
How do you measure risk?
Capacity to cope or adjust
What is vulnerability?
A measure to the extent of which a community, structure, service or geographical area is likely to be damaged or disrupted, on account of its nature or location, by the impact of a particular disaster hazard.
What is the capacity to cope?
The ability of people, organisations and systems, to manage disasters. The capacity to cope requires continuing awareness, resources and good management, both in normal times as well as during disasters.
What is hazard perception?
How an individual views a hazard, if effects their reaction/actions of the individual.
How does fatalism affect hazard perception?
When a person believes a hazard is a punishment sent from God.
How does adaptation affect hazard perception?
When a person believes they can reduce the risk of hazards, which lowers vulnerability.
How does fear affect hazard perception?
A person fears hazards, so they more from an area of high risk to an area of lower risk.
How do people’s wealth affect their perception of hazards?
Some people can’t afford to move away from a high risk area or even reduce the risk so they live with it.
How do people’s religion affect their perception of hazards?
Some people believe hazards are a punishment from God so they accept the hazard and live with it.
How do people’s education affect their perception of hazards?
Provides knowledge on how to react in the case of a hazard and how to reduce the risk.
How do people’s past experiences affect their perception of hazards?
Provides a living memory, raises awareness and educates a person on what to do in the case of a hazard.
What are the positives of a Disaster Response Curve?
- Can help planners predict what resources will be required at each stage.
- Can help prepare for future hazards, for example, building back better in the future.
What are the negatives of a Disaster Response Curve?
- Simplified model, doesn’t account for location or hazard specific issues.
- How do you measure the quality of life of a population? Will it be the same for everyone? Problems of inequaliy.
