what makes natural hazards disasters? Flashcards
what is a natural event?
the actual event that occurs, e.g. earthquake, volcano, drought, tsunami
what is a natural hazard?
a natural event that has the potential to pose a risk to people and property
what is a natural disaster?
when the identified natural hazard causes a significant impact on people (socially, economically and environmentally) that makes them unable to cope with their needs and they can’t fix it.
what 3 categories are in the “progression of risk”
- root causes
- dynamic pressure
- unsafe conditions
what does the UN classify as a natural disaster?
- more than 10 people die
- more than 100 people affected
what does the UN consider a mega-disaster?
- more than 2000 people die
- more than 200,000 made homeless
- reduction in GDP by 5%
- relying on foreign aid for a year after the event
what is vulnerability?
the weakness of people when they’re exposed to risk
what is resilience?
the ability to protect and restore damage to lives, livelihoods and the infrastructure
what are “root causes”
limited access to
1. power
2. infrastructure
3. resources
ideologies
1. political systems
2. economic systems
what are the factors of “dynamic equilibrium”
lack of
1. education
2. training
3. freedom of press release
macro-forces
1. rapid change in population
2. rapid urbanisationn
3. deforestation
what are some “unsafe conditions”
- physical environment
- local economy
- social relations
- public actions
what is the pressure and release model formula?
risk = hazard x vulnerability
what is the other equation to identify risk?
risk = (hazard x vulnerability) / capacity to cope