Hazard risk

• What are natural hazards

  Events which can pose a major risk to humanity
• When natural hazards occur close to human populations, there is a significant risk that there may be loss of life, damage to property and impacts on the quality of life
• Types of natural hazard

  • Earthquake
  • Wildfire
  • Tropical storm
  • Tsunami
  • Volcano
• Hazard risk


  The probability and chance of natural hazards impacting humans
• Factors affecting hazard risk

  • Urbanisation
  • Development
  • Climate change
  • Land use
• How does urbanisation affect hazard risk

  Urban areas, such as towns and cities face the highest risk due to high population densities (more people likely to be impacted)
• How does developmentaffect hazard risk ?

  The standard of living and quality of life in an area will impact hazard risk. Areas with lower levels of development (LICS/NEES) will potentially be less prepared for a hazard event than an area with higher levels of development (HICs)
• How does climate changeaffect hazard risk ?

  Changes in global climate will impact the magnitude and frequency of climatic hazards, such as droughts, wildfires, and tropical storms
• How does land use affect hazard risk ?

  Changes to the natural environment, such as urbanisation and deforestation, can increase hazard risk for climatic hazards such as flooding
• Increase in global population

  Increase in risk of natural hazards
• Low income countries (LICs)


  • Lower capacity to cope because they cannot afford well built houses that will resist events such as earthquakes or to educate their population on how to best prepare their families and property for natural hazards