Natural Hazards

Question 1

Define hazard

Answer 1

Threat of substantial loss of human life/substantial impact on life/substantial damage to property that can be caused by an event

Question 2

What 2 sources can hazards be caused by?

Answer 2

Human and Natural

Question 3

Can natural events be the result of human action? Explain why

Answer 3

Yes:
arson = wildfire
Poor land use management = flood

Question 4

What can a natural hazard lead to if it occurs?

Answer 4

Natural disaster

Question 5

What are the 3 types of hazards? Define each one

Answer 5

1. Geophysical - driven by Earth’s own internal energy sources e.g. volcanoes
2. Atmospheric - Driven by atmospheric processes e.g. storm, drought
3. Hydrological - Driven by water bodies, mainly oceans e.g. floods, storm surges

Question 6

When does a natural event become a natural hazard?

Answer 6

When there’s a chance it will affect people

Question 7

What has led to more construction in areas already at risk from natural hazards?

Answer 7

Increasing population and demand to build

Question 8

Why might people choose to remain in an area threatened by natural hazards?

Answer 8

The advantages outweigh the disadvantages e.g. fertile soil near volcano

Question 9

What 3 social characteristics can determine how people approach hazards?

Answer 9

Age, social status and religion

Question 10

How do humans respond to a natural hazard locally?

Answer 10

Save possessions and safeguard property

Question 11

How do humans respond globally to natural hazards?

Answer 11

Coordinate rescue and humanitarian aid

Question 12

What is the speed of response to a natural hazard dependent on?

Answer 12

Magnitude of the event

Original state of the infrastructure and how badly it’s damaged

Question 13

What system reduces response time? Explain how.

Answer 13

Automatic Disaster Analysis and Mapping systems (ADAMs) - database that combines info from USGS, WB and WFP to allow fast access to the scale of the disaster, what supplies are available locally and the local infrastructure

Question 14

What are the 6 methods in which humans respond to natural hazards?

Answer 14

1. Fatalism
2. Prediction
3. Adaptation
4. Mitigation
5. Management
6. Risk sharing

Question 15

Describe the human response of “fatalism” to a natural hazard.

Answer 15

• People accept the risk but do little about it
• Usually leads to large loss of life
• Common in developing countries

Question 16

Describe the human response of “Prediction” to a natural hazard. Give an example in terms of a tropical storm

Answer 16

Occurence date of hazard is predicted to prepare for impact.
• Common in developed countries

Tropical storm:
• Tracked to predict likely area of landfall
• Gives authorities time to organise evacuation plans and prepare people

Question 17

Describe the human response of “Adaptation” to a natural hazard.

Answer 17

• Response choice of places that often experience natural hazards
• Change behaviour to better cope with future events
• Common in developed countries

Question 18

Describe the human response of “Mitigation” to a natural hazard.

Answer 18

Any action taken to reduce long term risk to human life and property from natural hazards
• Areas are prepared so the impact is reduced when the hazard occurs
• e.g. Retro-engineering old buildings to reduce chance of collapse

Question 19

Describe the human response of “Management” to a natural hazard.

Answer 19

• Identify possible risks to life and property, then allocate resources to tackle the hazard
• Common in developed countries

Question 20

Describe the human response of “Risk Sharing” to a natural hazard.

Answer 20

• Sharing knowledge and human response strategies enables country to better prepare for hazards
• Hazard intensity reduction depends on how well countries adapt mitigation strategies
• E.G. International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) - sets out national and international responsibilities in preparing for disasters