Natural Hazards

• Define natural hazards

  Events that pose risk to humans and property, and are naturally occuring.
• What is the difference between a natural hazard and a natural event?

  A natural event doesn't pose risk to society e.g. in a remote place away from people and property. Natural hazards have societal impact.
• When does a natural hazard become a disaster?

  When it causes deaths or injury to at least 10% of the population, or causes $16 million of damage.
• Explain 2 human developments that would increase the risk of people being affected by natural hazards (4 marks)

  • Housing shortages and poverty - people are forced to live in areas of risk e.g. the Favelas, Rio, so hazards will pose more of a risk to society through damage to propery, injuries, and death.
  • Need for farming due to rapidly growing population - more people need to live near rivers or volcanoes due to the fertile land, increasing risk to society through damage to building, crops, injuries, or even death.