natural hazards

• Natural Hazard


  A natural process which can cause death, injury, disruption to humans or destroy property and possessions
• Natural Disaster


  A natural hazard that has already happened
• Types of natural hazards

  • Geological hazards
  • Meteorological hazards
• Geological hazards


  • Caused by the land and tectonic processes
• Geological hazards


  • Volcanoes
  • Earthquakes
  • Landslides
• Meteorological hazards


  • Caused by weather and climate
• Meteorological hazards


  • Tropical storms
• Factors affecting hazard risk

  • Human factors: Population size, Income level, Ability to cope with extreme events
  • Natural factors: Type of hazard, Frequency and magnitude of hazard, Physical geography
• Primary effects of natural hazards

  • Building and road destruction
  • Deaths and injuries
  • Crop and water supply damage or contamination
  • Damage to electricity, gas, and communication networks
• Secondary effects of natural hazards

  • Triggering of additional hazards
  • Blocked roads preventing emergency aid
  • Spread of diseases due to lack of clean water and sanitation
  • Economic weakening
• Immediate responses to natural hazards

  • Evacuating people
  • Treating the injured
  • Rescuing people
  • Providing temporary food and water supplies
  • Requesting foreign aid
• Long-term responses to natural hazards


  • Repairing houses, buildings, and roads
  • Improving forecasting, monitoring, and evacuation plans
  • Promoting tourism to boost economy