natural hazards

• What is a natural hazard?

  A natural hazard is a natural process which can threaten people or property.
• What are the two types of natural hazards?

  The two types of natural hazards are geological hazards and meteorological hazards.
• What causes geological hazards?

  Geological hazards are caused by land and tectonic processes, such as earthquakes.
• What causes meteorological hazards?

  Meteorological hazards are caused by weather and climate, such as tropical storms.
• What is hazard risk?

  Hazard risk is the probability of people being affected by a hazard.
• How does population density affect hazard risk?

  More people in a hazardous area increases the risk.
• How does capacity to cope affect hazard risk?

  More developed areas have better resources, which lowers the risk.
• What are the three factors that influence hazard risk?

  The three factors are nature of hazard, magnitude, and frequency.
• How does the nature of a hazard affect risk?

  Some hazards can be predicted or monitored, which lowers the risk.
• How does magnitude affect hazard risk?

  Severe hazards have greater effects, which increases the risk.
• How does frequency affect hazard risk?

  Some hazards occur more often, which increases the risk.
• What are the primary effects of natural hazards?

  • Death and injuries
  • Buildings destroyed
  • Contaminated water supplies
  • Damaged infrastructure
  • Damaged crops
• What are the secondary effects of natural hazards?

  • Other hazards, such as disease from poor sanitation
  • Shortages of food and clean water
  • Weakened economy
• What are immediate responses to natural hazards?


  Immediate responses happen just before, during, or right after hazards, such as evacuating people and providing aid.
• What are long-term responses to natural hazards?


  Long-term responses deal with longer-term effects, such as re-homing people and improving hazard management.
• What are some examples of long-term responses to natural hazards?

  • Re-home people
  • Boost economy, e.g., with tourism
  • Improve hazard management
  • Restore water, gas, and electricity