20 Questions
What is the definition of a natural hazard?
An event with the potential to cause loss of life or property, occurring naturally
Which systems provide people with opportunities and constraints?
The geophysical systems in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere
What do people perceive as 'normal events' within the geophysical systems?
Opportunities and resources
Which of the following best describes ecological hazards?
Events resulting from interactions between living organisms and their environment
What do ecological hazards involve?
Interactions between living organisms and their environment
What do natural hazards become in the absence of people?
Just natural processes
What is the definition of a natural hazard?
A naturally occurring process or event that has the potential to cause damage or loss of life to property or the environment
What must occur for an event to be classified as a disaster according to the UN's International Strategy for Disaster Reduction?
All of the above
What is the main difference between a hazard and a disaster?
The degree of damage to natural and cultural environments
What provides people with opportunities and constraints in the geophysical systems?
Geophysical processes
What is the main difference between tropical storms, floods, landslides, droughts, bushfires, earthquakes, and volcanoes?
Their formation processes and causes
Which natural hazard is most likely to occur in areas between the equator and the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn?
Tropical storms
Which natural hazard is responsible for 4500 deaths per year and affected 4.8 million people between 1998 and 2017?
Landslides
In which type of area are landslides most likely to occur?
Rocky or mountainous areas
What is the most frequent natural disaster according to the text?
Landslides
Which natural hazard is characterized by the sudden movement and shaking on the earth's surface?
Earthquake
In which region are infectious diseases such as Ebola most predominantly distributed?
Tropics predominantly central and western Africa
Where are over 500 active volcanoes in the world mainly concentrated?
Along plate boundaries
What is the main feature of a bushfire?
Eruption of fire in grass, forest, or scrub areas
Where is the ring of fire located, where a significant proportion of the world's largest earthquakes occur?
Pacific Ocean
Study Notes
Natural Hazards and Disasters
- A natural hazard is a natural event or phenomenon that has the potential to cause harm to people and their environment.
Geophysical Systems
- Geophysical systems provide people with opportunities and constraints.
Perceived Normal Events
- People perceive earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and storms as 'normal events' within the geophysical systems.
Ecological Hazards
- Ecological hazards involve the effects of human activities on the environment, such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
- Ecological hazards are the result of human interference with the natural environment.
Natural Hazards vs. Disasters
- In the absence of people, natural hazards are just natural events.
- An event becomes a disaster when it affects human populations and causes harm.
Disaster Classification
- According to the UN's International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, a disaster occurs when a hazard affects a vulnerable population, resulting in damage, loss, and disruption.
Hazards vs. Disasters
- The main difference between a hazard and a disaster is the presence of people and the resulting harm.
Natural Hazards
- Tropical storms, floods, landslides, droughts, bushfires, earthquakes, and volcanoes are all natural hazards.
- Tropical storms are most likely to occur in areas between the equator and the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
- Landslides are most likely to occur in areas with steep slopes and heavy rainfall.
- Floods are responsible for 4500 deaths per year and affected 4.8 million people between 1998 and 2017.
- Earthquakes are characterized by the sudden movement and shaking on the earth's surface.
Regional Hazards
- Infectious diseases such as Ebola are most predominantly distributed in tropical regions.
- Over 500 active volcanoes are mainly concentrated in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
- The ring of fire is located around the Pacific Ocean, where a significant proportion of the world's largest earthquakes occur.
Bushfires
- The main feature of a bushfire is the rapid spread of fire through dry vegetation, often fueled by strong winds.
Test your knowledge of the definitions of hazard geography, natural hazards, atmospheric hazards, hydrological hazards, geomorphic hazards, and ecological hazards. Understand the impact of these hazards on life, property, and the environment.
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