2. There are different types of hazard:
Caused by climate processes, these include
droughts, floods, tropical cyclones/storms
Caused by land processes, these
include earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions and landslides.
3. The risk of a disaster increases as the frequency or
severity of hazards increases, people’s vulnerability
increases and people’s capacity to cope (ability to cope
with the consequences) is decreased.
4. HUMAN FACTORS PHYSICAL FACTORS
Rapid population growth and
urbanisation – this increases the number
of people who are vulnerable to hazards,
especially in poor countries
Global warming – it’s thought to be
increasing the number of hazards, e.g.
Floods and severe storms, which
increases the number of disasters
Increasing world poverty – poor people
are more vulnerable to hazards
El Nino events (oceanic current and
temperature fluctuations) – these change
global weather in an unpredictable way,
which makes hydro meteorological
hazards more unpredictable
Exploitation of resources – e.g.
Deforestation and los of wetlands can
lead to an increased risk of flooding and
landslides
5. Deaths from disasters have decreased due to
improvements in risk management strategies:
improved technology means some hazards can be predicted e.g. The path of
tropical cyclones can be predicted to some extent. Advance warning means people can be
evacuated and property secured
natural hazards can’t be stopped, but they can be prevented from becoming
disasters, e.g. By using sand bags to protect against the effects of flooding
educating people on what to do in case of a disaster helps to reduce the
number of deaths, e.g. Japan has a ‘disaster preparedness day’ each year when practice
earthquake evacuation drills are carried out
6. Actual financial cost is the amount of money lost - this greatest in richer
countries
Relative financial cost is the amount of money lost relative to how
much the people have to start with – this is greatest in poorer
countries. Less actual money is lost, but the effects of the loss are
greater
