Hazards
Concept of hazards
Key terms
Natural hazard – perceived event that threatens life and property, often results in damage to built
environment and create severe disruption to human activities
Adaptation – attempts by people/communities to live with hazard events – adjusting living conditions to
reduce level of vulnerability
Fatalism – view that suggests people cannot influence or shape outcome of hazard – limited or no
preventative measures
Perception – way in which a group/individual view the threat of a hazard event determines action
Risk – exposure of people to a hazardous event presenting a potential threat to themselves, their
possessions and the built environment in which they live
Vulnerability –measure of the extent to which a community, structure, service or geographical area is
likely to be damaged or disrupted, on account of its nature or location, by the impact of a hazard.
Community preparedness/risk sharing – involves prearranged measures to reduce loss of life/property
damage through education/awareness programmes/evacuation procedures/provision of emergency
supplies and taking out of insurance/international aid
Frequency – distribution of a hazard through time
Integrated risk management – process of considering So/Ec/Pol factors involved in risk analysis,
determining the acceptability of damage/disruption and actions to be taken
Magnitude – assessment of the size of the impact a hazard event
Prediction – ability to give warnings so that action can be taken to reduce the impact of hazard events
Resilience – sustainability of individuals or communities to be able to utilise available resources to
respond to/withstand and recover from effects of natural hazards
Natural hazards and potential impacts
Can result in disruption of human systems death, injury, property and communication system damage
and disruption of economic activities
Risk of hazard increased urbanisation forces people into vulnerable positions
Hazard – process/phenomenon or human activity that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts,
property damage, So/Ec disruption or environmental degradation
Common characteristics of natural hazards
Clear origins and effects produced are distinctive
Short/non-existent warning period before event
Exposure to risk is often involuntary (mostly in LEDCS, in MEDCs people are more likely to be aware of risks)
Most losses of life and property damage occurs shortly after event, but effects can still be felt over long term
Scale and intensity of event requires an emergency response
Risk and vulnerability
Why do people live in areas with high risk?
Hazardous events are unpredictable
Lack of alternative –So/Pol/Ec/Cul factors mean people can’t move and give up homes, land & employment
Changing levels of risk – relatively safe places can become riskier – deforestation flooding more likely
Cost/benefit – advantages of living in hazardous areas may outweigh risks in people’s minds – California
Perception
1
Concept of hazards
Key terms
Natural hazard – perceived event that threatens life and property, often results in damage to built
environment and create severe disruption to human activities
Adaptation – attempts by people/communities to live with hazard events – adjusting living conditions to
reduce level of vulnerability
Fatalism – view that suggests people cannot influence or shape outcome of hazard – limited or no
preventative measures
Perception – way in which a group/individual view the threat of a hazard event determines action
Risk – exposure of people to a hazardous event presenting a potential threat to themselves, their
possessions and the built environment in which they live
Vulnerability –measure of the extent to which a community, structure, service or geographical area is
likely to be damaged or disrupted, on account of its nature or location, by the impact of a hazard.
Community preparedness/risk sharing – involves prearranged measures to reduce loss of life/property
damage through education/awareness programmes/evacuation procedures/provision of emergency
supplies and taking out of insurance/international aid
Frequency – distribution of a hazard through time
Integrated risk management – process of considering So/Ec/Pol factors involved in risk analysis,
determining the acceptability of damage/disruption and actions to be taken
Magnitude – assessment of the size of the impact a hazard event
Prediction – ability to give warnings so that action can be taken to reduce the impact of hazard events
Resilience – sustainability of individuals or communities to be able to utilise available resources to
respond to/withstand and recover from effects of natural hazards
Natural hazards and potential impacts
Can result in disruption of human systems death, injury, property and communication system damage
and disruption of economic activities
Risk of hazard increased urbanisation forces people into vulnerable positions
Hazard – process/phenomenon or human activity that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts,
property damage, So/Ec disruption or environmental degradation
Common characteristics of natural hazards
Clear origins and effects produced are distinctive
Short/non-existent warning period before event
Exposure to risk is often involuntary (mostly in LEDCS, in MEDCs people are more likely to be aware of risks)
Most losses of life and property damage occurs shortly after event, but effects can still be felt over long term
Scale and intensity of event requires an emergency response
Risk and vulnerability
Why do people live in areas with high risk?
Hazardous events are unpredictable
Lack of alternative –So/Pol/Ec/Cul factors mean people can’t move and give up homes, land & employment
Changing levels of risk – relatively safe places can become riskier – deforestation flooding more likely
Cost/benefit – advantages of living in hazardous areas may outweigh risks in people’s minds – California
Perception
1
