Topic Keywords

What is a geophysical hazard?

A natural hazard originating from the Earth’s internal or surface processes.

e.g. earthquakes, volcanic eruptions.

What is an atmospheric hazard?

A natural hazard caused by weather and climate conditions. Originate from atmospheric processes.

e.g. tropical storms, droughts.

What is a hydrological hazard?

Hazards caused by the occurrence, movement and distribution of water on and below the Earth’s surface.

e.g. flooding.

What is hazard perception?

The way an individual or group understands, interprets, and views the risk posed by a natural hazard.

What are cultural determinants?

Beliefs, traditions, religion and societal norms that influence how a community perceive and respond to a hazard event.

What are human responses?

Actions taken by individuals, communities and governments to manage and adapt to risks posed by hazardous events.

What is fatalism?

The viewpoint that natural hazards are uncontrollable, inevitable events.

Believe losses must be accepted.

What is prediction?

Use of scientific research, technology and analysis of past events to determine when and where a natural hazard will occur.

What is adjustment/adaptation?

Modifications humans make to their behaviour, infrastructure, or lifestyle to live with hazard risks, reducing vulnerability and lessening potential losses.

What is mitigation?

Any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards.

What is management?

The strategies and processes implemented to reduce the risk and consequences of natural hazards.

What is risk sharing?

The human response to hazards that involves the distribution or transfer of the financial or physical impact of potential losses.

What is hazard incidence?

The frequency at which a hazard occurs.

Used alongside magnitude, intensity and distribution to analyse impacts of events.

What is intensity?

The power of a hazard, specifically how strong it is and the severity of its effects on people, buildings and the environment.

What is magnitude?

The size, strength or total amount of energy released by a natural hazard event.

What is distribution?

The spatial pattern of where natural hazards occur across the Earth.

What is the Park Model?

A graphical representation illustrating how a community’s quality of life changes following a natural hazard event.

What is the Hazard Management Cycle?

A continuous framework used to manage and reduce the impacts of natural hazards.

4 stages - mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.