NATURAL HAZARDS - BASICS

what is a natural hazard?

Its sudden severe events which make the natural environment difficult manage. They disrupt human life and have economical, social and environmental impacts.

what is hazard risk?

The likelihood of a natural hazard causing harm or damage to people, property, and the environment.

what factors affect hazard risk ?

• urbanisation

• poverty

• farming

• climate change

how does urbanisation affect hazard risk

as densely populated urban areas concentrate the risk with over 50 per cent of the worlds population living in cities. leads to high vulnerability from tectonic hazards due to buildings present.

how does povert affect hazard risk

exspence of housing leads to building on risky grounds

how does climate change affect hazard risk

rising sea levels result with an increase in extreme weather

why do people live in hazardous areas

• fertile soil from volcanoes

• floods provide a large water source for farming

• more affordability due to the area being at risk

• more job opportunities such as tourism

why do people make themselves at risk

• cant predict hazards - no technology for location and magnitude and timing

• cant move - language barrier, transport issues, expense

• worth staying - resources, scenery, job

• don’t want to go - family, source of income, optimistic, overconfidence in defences