Studied by 4 people
What is a natural hazard?
A natural event that threatens people or has the potential to cause damage, destruction and death.
What is a natural disaster?
A natural event such as a flood, earthquake, or hurricane that has caused great damage or loss of life.
The Philippines is at risk of...
Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, tropical storms, floods and landslides
What are examples of natural hazards?
tropical storms, tsunamis, landslides, earthquakes, floods, volcanoes etc
What are geological hazards?
Caused by land and tectonic processes. E.g. volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides and avalanches
What are meteorological hazards?
Caused by weather and climate. E.g. heatwaves, climate change and tropical storms
What is hazard risk?
The probability that a natural hazard occurs
Factors that influence hazard risk are..
ability to cope, vulnerability, nature of natural hazards, frequency, magnitude, urbanisation and climate change: warmer world=more energy=more natural hazards
What factors are there which impact a countries ability to cope with a natural hazard?
Preparation- HIC governments build flood defences + evacuate the population / LIC's don't resources or ability
Income- LIC's will have lower incomes, weaker houses, more damage / HIC's will have stronger houses -> less damage
what are factors that predict how bad a natural hazard is?
Predictability- some hazards are more predictable (e.g. earthquakes are less predictable than tropical storms; governments cannot prepare and evacuate)
Frequency- how often it happens
Magnitude- the size of the hazard can possibly do more damage and injury
What are the primary effects of natural disasters (immediate impacts)?
buildings and roads are damaged
people are injured, killed
crops and water supplies damaged/contaminated
electricity cables,gas pipes and communication networks damaged -> cutting off supplies
What are secondary effects of natural disasters? (aftermath impacts)
aid and emergency vehicles cannot get through because of blocked roads/bridges- which can cause more deaths
clean water shortage + lack of proper sanitation spreads disease
food shortages if crops are damaged, livestock are killed are supply lines are blocked
country's economy weakened- damage to business causes unemployment -> reconstruction process is expensive
What are the immediate responses to natural disasters?
evacuation
first aid
recovering dead bodies to prevent the spread of disease
providing temporary supplies of electricity/gas if regular supplies are damaged
providing food,water and shelter to the homeless
foreign governments or charities sending aid workers, supplies or financial donations
What are the long-term responses for natural disasters?
repairing homes or rehousing people
repairing damaged things
reconnect broken electricity, water, gas and communication connections
improve forecasting, monitoring and evacuation plans
improve building regulations so buildings can withstand similar hazards
boost economy recovery (e.g. tourism)
What is the disaster risk equation?
Risk = Hazard X Vunerability / Capacity to cope
