Hazards BK 1 - Concepts Of Hazards Flashcards
what are the three types of hazards?
Atmospheric, geographical hydrological
what is a natural hazard?
Events that are a threat to the physical environment, built environment and people that take place naturally
what is a hazard?
Something that is a threat or danger to another thing
What is a disaster?
An event that has gone wrong causing negative consequences
What is an extreme natural process/natural phenomena?
non-human induced event, which doesn’t affect people or put people at risk
Where do tropical storms tend to affect?
Close to the equator
What is distribution?
The way things are given or spread out in an area
What are the three factors relating to risk?
Hazard, vulnerability and exposure
what is the risk equation?
Risk = Hazard x vulnerability
What are some factors that affect a hazards vulnerability to people
conflict and war, upland and lowland areas, inland and coastal areas, corruption, accessibility to services, Lack of resources, evacuation plans.
What is the UN definition of vulnerability?
The condition is determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors, which increases susceptibility of an individual or community to the impact of hazards
what are some reasons for an increase in vulnerability in MEDC
More development means higher economic costs and jobs to replace, cultural places damaged, higher risk of damaging, bridges, roads, nuclear plants
how is vulnerability reduced in MEDC
better built infrastructure, more resources better emergency services, more research, better education of hazards
what are some reasons for increasing vulnerability in LEDC
Poorer built buildings, poorer emergency services and resources, corruption, more densely populated
what are some reasons that decrease vulnerability in LEDC
Likely to get humanitarian aid, damage is less expensive, places aren’t as built up
why is vulnerability high in urban areas
taller buildings are more likely to collapse, More people at risk, increase in congestion.
Why can vulnerability decrease in urban areas?
better access to healthcare, better infrastructure for evacuation, more investment into urban education
Why can vulnerability increase in rule areas?
More difficult to evacuate because of less developed roads less access to phone signal, little warning of hazards, more elderly people
Why can vulnerability decrease in rule areas?
Less people are easy to evacuate less pressure on roads, less chance of secondary hazards as there are less buildings
Why can’t vulnerability increase in inland areas?
higher population means a high risk of death, more urban built-up areas that are more prone to collapse, mountainous areas more prone to landslides
why can’t vulnerability decrease in inland areas?
Easy to leave, better access to emergency services
why does vulnerability increase in coastal areas?
More risk of hydrological hazards, hard to leave the area, possibly a mountainous area which is hard to leave
why does vulnerability decrease in coastal areas?
Fewer population near the coast means less people at risk, could evacuate by bought
why does vulnerability increase in upland areas?
Easier for secondary hazards happen , possibly more rainfall, Difficult to access road networks, settlements may be cut off
