Summary
A natural hazard is a potentially damaging natural process; it becomes a disaster when it seriously disrupts a vulnerable society.
Core concept
Understand the system
A natural hazard is a potentially damaging natural process; it becomes a disaster when it seriously disrupts a vulnerable society.
Why / how it happens
Causes and context
A natural hazard is a potentially damaging natural process; it becomes a disaster when it seriously disrupts a vulnerable society. The governing relationship is: Hazard intensity interacts with exposure, vulnerability and capacity to produce risk and loss.
Mechanism / process
Hazard intensity interacts with exposure, vulnerability and capacity to produce risk and loss.
Key facts
- Risk is commonly framed as a function of hazard, exposure and vulnerability.
- Earthquakes, floods, cyclones and droughts differ in onset, magnitude and predictability.
- A hazard is not automatically a disaster.
Important terminology
- hazard
- exposure
- vulnerability
- risk
- resilience
Named examples / case studies
- A cyclone over an uninhabited coast is a hazard, but concentrated exposure and weak housing can create disaster.
Causes / components
- Key components: hazard, exposure, vulnerability.
- Hazard intensity interacts with exposure, vulnerability and capacity to produce risk and loss.
Effects / significance
- Earthquakes, floods, cyclones and droughts differ in onset, magnitude and predictability.
- A hazard is not automatically a disaster.
- Application: A cyclone over an uninhabited coast is a hazard, but concentrated exposure and weak housing can create disaster.
Geography connection
A cyclone over an uninhabited coast is a hazard, but concentrated exposure and weak housing can create disaster. This illustrates how natural hazards varies by location, scale or environmental context.
Bangladesh connection
Bangladesh's deltaic exposure to floods, cyclones, river erosion and drought is moderated by shelters, warning systems, embankments and community capacity.
BCS preliminary facts
- Risk is commonly framed as a function of hazard, exposure and vulnerability.
- Earthquakes, floods, cyclones and droughts differ in onset, magnitude and predictability.
- A hazard is not automatically a disaster.
BCS written analysis
Build an analytical answer
- A natural hazard is a potentially damaging natural process; it becomes a disaster when it seriously disrupts a vulnerable society.
- Hazard intensity interacts with exposure, vulnerability and capacity to produce risk and loss. Use a cyclone over an uninhabited coast is a hazard, but concentrated exposure and weak housing can create disaster. as a named application in a comparative answer.
Common misconceptions
- Natural does not mean impacts are unavoidable.
- Vulnerability is social and spatial, not only physical.
BCS PRACTICE ENGINE
Test Your Knowledge
Select the best answer, then check your response.
Natural Hazards: which statement correctly applies hazard to this topic?
Quick revision
- Natural Hazards
- Risk is commonly framed as a function of hazard, exposure and vulnerability.
- Earthquakes, floods, cyclones and droughts differ in onset, magnitude and predictability.
- hazard / exposure
- Definition → process → spatial example