EQ1 Key Concepts Flashcards
(14 cards)
Define hazard
Perceived natural event which has the potential to threaten life and property.
What are the 3 types of hazard? (give an example of each)
Natural processes - from geophysical/hydrometeorological-
natural- technological disasters - flooding bursts a dam
technological accidents = nuclear power plant explosion
What are the key types of risk?
Risk to people, goods & the environment.
What is the risk equation?
Risk = freq. or mag. x vulnerability level/ pop. capacity to cope
Why are some aspects in the risk equation increasing?
Freq. & Mag. - worsening with CC as worsening hazards
Vulnerability Level - Poor land use, unsustainable development and higher pop. overall means greater vulnerability
Pop. capacity to cope - development gap increasing so worsening in poor areas
Why is global warming such a significant player in hazards?
Chronic Hazard Positive/Negative Feedbacks - ocean circulation Indirect impacts Increases development gap (unfair difference in contribution nd effect) Costly to solve Hard to make accurate predictions Needs international agreement Global problem
Define positive/negative feedback system and give an example of each.
Where the output of a system acts to amplify/reduce further output
+ve (ice cover increases, more albedo, further cooling, more snowfall)
-ve (cloud cover, increased evaporation, more clouds reflect solar energy to space, diminishes global warming effect)
Define context hazard
Widespread threat due to environmental factors
Define geophysical hazard?
Those caused by earth processes
Define hydrometeorological hazard?
Those formed by hydrological/atmospheric processes
Define speed of onset
How much warning we have of the hazard
Define scale
The type of size of the hazard
Define quasi-natural hazard
Hazard that could be classified as natural or human - dam breakage spreading flooding
Define pluvial
Relating rainfall
