EQ2 Key Concepts Flashcards
Define disaster
Realisation of a hazard event
Define magnitude
Size of event representing amount of work done
Define frequency
Number of events of a given magnitude over a period of time
How can we measure magnitude?
Saffir-Simpson Scale for hurricanes
Richter scale for EQ
TORRO/Fujita Intensity scales for tornados
Explosivity index for volcanoes
How is frequency increasing?
Environmental degradation by humans =- deforestation, mangrove destruction
What are some statistical problems when recording deaths/injuries?
No universal definition of a disaster
Depends on if you count direct primary and indirect secondary deaths in one
Remote places aren’t recorded - missing on CRED database
Deaths/casualties overstated or not declared due to political influences
Hard to collect on major disasters in remote/densely pop. areas
How are human factors worsening disasters?
Pop. growth (marginal land, more elderly & young so increased vulnerability)
Deforestation (soil erosion, flooding, mangrove, tsunami effects, desertification due to farming)
RUM (marginal land)
Poverty & Politics (can’t afford EQ proof infrastructure/resources, poor ed. so don’t know how to prepare, can’t get aid if roads/bridges damaged)
What is the major trend in disasters
Economic loss increasing
Number of people killed decreasing
Number of people affected increasing
Why is economic loss increasing?
High insurance premiums in hazard prone areas
More disasters in less developed where no insurance
High valued possessions
Highly sophisticated installation and infrastructure in developed
Developed high dependence on tourism and agriculture so still high economic loss for them
Growth of tiger economic and NICs so greater risk of economic loss
Why is the number of death falling?
Better mitigation and preparedness before disaster
Emergency services & responses improved during disaster
Better co-ordinated recovery programmes after disaster
