Defining Natural Hazards and Disasters

Flashcards covering definitions, key distinctions, and examples of natural hazards, natural disasters, and non-hazardous events.

What is a natural hazard?

A natural process that represents a potential threat to human life, health, or property, with the potential to cause harm such as death, injury, or destruction of property.

What is a natural disaster?

The actual occurrence of a natural hazard that causes significant damage, loss, or impact on humans or their possessions.

When does an extreme natural event qualify as a hazard?

An extreme natural event qualifies as a hazard only when it poses a risk to human activity.

What are non-hazardous events?

Extreme natural phenomena that do not threaten human activity, and are thus not classified as hazards.

What two examples are provided to illustrate extreme natural events that do not constitute hazards?

A drought in a deserted region and an avalanche in an uninhabited polar area.