Any dangerous situation or event that carries a threat to humans. Hazards can only be considered disasters once it affected humans.
Types of Hazards
Natural Hazards
Quasi-natural Hazards
Technological (or man-made) Hazards
Natural Hazards
Arise from natural processes in the environment. e.g. earthquakes, tsunami, landslides, volcanic eruptions and floods
Quasi-natural Hazards
Arise through the interaction of natural processes and human activities. e.g. pollution, desertification, smog and fog
Technological (or man-made) Hazards
Arise directly as a result of human activities. Such as the toxicity of pesticides to agricultural lands, accidental leaks of chemical laboratories or radiation from nuclear plant.
Geologic Hazard
Extreme natural event in the crust of the earth that poses a threat to life & property.
Examples of Geologic Hazards
Earthquake
Volcanic Eruption
Tsunami
Floods
Fires
Typhoon
Landslide
Sinkhole
Landslide
The downslope movement of rocks, mud or debris under the influence of gravity. Can be caused by natural or mechanical factor / human activity.
Types of Landslide
Soil Creep
Slumping
Debris Flow
Rock Fall
Soil Creep
Very slow downslope movement of particles that occurs in every slope covered with loose, weathered Material.
Slumping
Downward movement of rock debris, usually the consequence of removal of buttressing earth at the foot of a slope of unconsolidated material.
Debris Flow
Happens when the slope becomes saturated with water, this then triggers a landslide of water-soaked mass of rock and soil that slides down the slope.
Rock Fall
Sudden slides caused by heavy rain the rock on the slope loosens and then slides down the slope.
Sinkhole
A depression or cavity in the ground which is caused by water. It occurs in areas where the soil foundation is made of soft minerals and rocks such as limestone, salt beds, or any acidic rocks.
Types of Sinkhole
Cover Collapse Sinkhole
Cover Subsidence Sinkhole
Dissolution Sinkhole
Artificial Sinkhole
Cover Collapse Sinkhole
Develops suddenly (over an hour period) thus, causing catastrophic damage.
Cover Subsidence Sinkhole
Gradually grows where the sediment covers are permeable and contain sand.
Dissolution Sinkhole
Occur in areas where limestone is exposed at land surface or also is covered by thin layers of soil and permeable sand.
Artificial Sinkhole
Caused by various human activities, such as groundwater pumping, drilling new water wells, construction activities and other development project.
Volcano
A mountain or hill, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are being or have been erupted from the earth's crust.
Parts of a Volcano
The Crater
Magma Chamber
Conduit
Fumarole
Crater
Bowl-shaped depression at the top of the volcano that forms when the summit collapses after an eruption.
Magma Chamber
Large underground cavity or reservoir where molten rock (magma) is stored before it erupts.
Conduit
Long, narrow channel that connects the magma chamber to the surface of the volcano. Magma rises through the conduit and erupts.
Fumarole
Vent on the surface of the volcano that emits steam, gas, and other materials. Fumaroles are found near the summit.
Types of Volcanoes
Shield Volcanoes
Composite Volcanoes (Stratovolcanoes)
Cinder Cones
Shield Volcanoes
Have a broad, gently sloping cone shape, similar to a warrior's shield laid on the ground. Formed by numerous lava flows that spread out in all directions from a central vent. Typically have non-explosive eruptions and produce thin, runny lava that flows for long distances.
Composite Volcanoes (Stratovolcanoes)
Tall, steep-sided volcanoes with a classic, cone-shaped appearance. Formed by alternating layers of lava, ash, and other volcanic debris. Can have explosive or non-explosive eruptions and are known for their powerful explosions and pyroclastic flows.
Cinder Cones
Small, steep-sided volcanoes made up of loose, pyroclastic material such as ash, cinders, and volcanic bombs. Usually formed by explosive eruptions that eject the material from a single vent, piling it up around the vent.
Types of Volcanic Eruption
Vulcanian eruptions
Plinian eruptions
Pelean eruptions
Strombolian
Hawaiian eruptions
Icelandic eruptions
Vulcanian eruptions
Short, violent, relatively small explosion of viscous magma. May be repetitive and go on for days, months, or years, or they may precede even larger explosive eruptions.
Plinian eruptions
The largest and most violent of all the types of volcanic eruptions, characterized by the eruption of large amounts of ash, gas, and pumice into the air, forming a mushroom-shaped cloud that can rise several tens of kilometers into the atmosphere.
Pelean eruptions
The volcanic vent can become blocked by viscous magma, causing a build-up of pressure that is released in a violent explosion. The resulting pyroclastic flow can move at extremely high speeds, reaching hundreds of kilometers per hour, and can be extremely destructive.
Strombolian
Distinct bursts of fluid lava. The explosions usually occur every few minutes at regular or irregular intervals. Caused by the buildup of gas bubbles in the magma, which burst at the surface.
Hawaiian eruptions
Characterized by the effusive eruption of basaltic lava. The lava flows out of the volcano and spreads over a large area, forming shield volcanoes. These eruptions tend to be non-explosive, and the lava flows steadily and relatively slowly.
Icelandic eruptions
Typically non-explosive and relatively gentle compared to other types of volcanic eruptions, with lava flowing out of fissures or vents in the Earth's crust. The lava can flow over large distances, creating vast lava fields and shield volcanoes.
Potential volcano-related hazards
Lava flows
Pyroclastic flows
Ballistic projectiles
Lahars
Landslides and other collapses
Volcanic earthquakes
Tsunamis
Volcanic gases
Tephra
Lava (molten rock)
Can erupt as fire fountains or lava flows (when it is runny) or as steep-sided domes (when it is viscous). May destroy buildings and infrastructure, but moves relatively slowly so is rarely a direct threat to people.
Pyroclastic flows
Hot avalanches of rock, ash, and gas that travel down volcano slopes at high speeds. May be very dangerous close to a volcano.
Ballistic projectiles
Fragments of solid (blocks) or fluid (bombs) material ejected during the range of magmatic or phreatic (steam) explosive eruptions. Phreatic explosions are explosions caused by the interaction of water with hot rock or magma (lava).