Natural Hazards

• State the meaning of a hazard and a natural hazard

  A hazard is an event that has the potential to cause damage to the environment, economy or people; a natural hazard is an event caused without the presence of humans
• State the meaning of disaster

  A disaster occurs when harm occurs to the environment, people or the economy
• State the meaning of hazard risk

  The probability of a hazard actually affecting a population
• Factors that make places more vulnerable to natural hazards

  • Wealth - poverty can force families to live in dangerous areas with less access to healthcare and rescue services
  • Population density - areas with a high population have a higher demand for housing so people decide to live in cheaper houses that are not build to withstand natural hazards
  • Urbanisation - urban areas have lots of tall buildings which can collapse during earthquakes and put people at greater risk of harm