Hazards in a Geographical Context

hazard

something that is a potential threat to human life or property

natural hazards

hazards caused by natural processes

natural disaster

an event which results in substantial damage to people or property

risk

the likelihood that humans will be seriously affected by a hazard

vulnerability

how susceptible a population is to the damage caused by a hazard

resilience

the degree to which a population or environment can absorb a hazardous event and yet remain within the same state or organisation (e.g., its ability to cope with the stress and recover)

What are the 5 main different types of hazard?

• geophysical

• atmospheric

• hydrological

• geomorphic

• biohazard

What are the 4 stages/phases of the hazard management cycle?

• preparedness

• response

• recovery

• mitigation

What are the 3 phases of The Park model of human response to hazards?

1. relief

2. rehabilitation

3. reconstruction

risk

the likelihood that humans will be seriously affected by a hazard

What three risk factors intersect to determine hazard risk?

• hazards

• exposure (elements at risk)

• vulnerability (coping capacity)

What factors determine hazard risk?

• geographical location

• human responses

• population density

• hazard perception

• nature of the hazard

• wealth

• LIC, NEE or HIC

What physical factors can affect hazard risk?

• environmental factors

• spatial concentration

• regularity

• magnitude

• frequency

• duration

• areal extent

• speed of onset

What human factors can affect hazard risk?

• social factors

• economic factors

• political factors

• geographical factors

• technology factors

What aspects of a person’s background can impact their perception of hazards?

• economic background

• social background

• cultural background

What factors can impact a person’s perception of hazards?

• wealth

• religion

• education

• past experiences

• personality

What is The Hazard Management Cycle?

an ongoing process where governments, businesses, and society plan for and reduce the impact of disasters, react to disasters, and take steps to recovery after the event

What is Park’s disaster-response model?

a model of the impact of a disaster from before the event to after the event (each hazard will have a different response curve)

What physical factors can affect responses to hazards?

• climate

• topography of region

• accessibility of location

• type of hazard

What human factors can affect responses to hazards?

• level of community preparedness

• scientific understanding and expertise

• technological resources

• level of education and training

• wealth of region

• political framework

• quality of infrastructure

• number of people involved/affected

What are some examples of responses to hazards?

• prediction

• prevention

• risk sharing

• mitigation

• fatalism

• coordinating responses

prediction

it may be possible to give warnings that would enable action to be taken quicker

prevention

it involves things like building flood defences which costs money but is not always possible

risk sharing

buying insurance and sharing the cost

mitigation

reducing or minimising the impacts (e.g., bury food or medical supplies to be dug up after flooding, moving expensive items upstairs to avoid floods, training emergency services)

fatalism

accepting that hazards happen and sometimes nothing can be done (sometimes the belief in God’s will)

coordinating responses

governments or organisations working together to provide relief