Ch 1 N.D.

carrying capacity

The maximum population size that can be supported under a given set of environmental conditions

coronavirus

A family of single-stranded RNA viruses with a crown of lipids and spike-shaped projections causing various diseases.

cyclone

A system of winds rotating inward to an area of low barometric pressure, often accompanied by stormy weather.

demographic transition

The change from a human population with high birth and death rates to one with low birth and death rates.

earthquake

A sudden violent shaking of the ground caused by movements within the earth's crust.

energy

The capacity for doing work or causing change.

epidemic

An outbreak of disease.

exponential growth

Growth whose rate becomes ever more rapid in proportion to the growing total number or size.

fertility

The natural capability to produce offspring or the birth rate within a population.

frequency

How often or little an event occurs.

great natural disaster

A catastrophic natural event causing immense destruction and loss of life.

influenza

A contagious viral infection that attacks the respiratory system. (Flu)

magnitude

The size or extent of something, or the measure of energy released by an earthquake.

mitigation

The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or impact of a hazard or disaster.

mortality

The state of being mortal or the death rate in a population.

natural disaster

A major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth.

natural hazard

A naturally occurring event that has the potential to cause property damage or loss of life.

pandemic

A disease occurring over a wide area and affecting many people across countries or continents.

return period

An estimated time interval between natural hazard events of a given magnitude.

spillover event

When a virus moves from one species into another species.

tsunami

A long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, landslide, or other underwater disturbance.

virus

Submicroscopic agents of infectious diseases that replicate inside living cells.

volcano

A rupture in the Earth's crust that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape.

zoonosis

Transmissible between animals and humans.

zoonotic diseases

Diseases that exist in nonhuman animals but can infect humans, often via an intermediate vector.