5.2 - Duration of Hazards
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Interactive Audio Lesson
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Understanding Hazard, Exposure, and Vulnerability
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Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
Hazard exposure and vulnerability are explained as main factors that define disaster risk. Different scenarios illustrate how the presence of people and settlements increases risk during hazards like landslides. The section categorizes hazards into natural, biological, technological, and their origins, underscoring their impacts on life and property.
Detailed
In this section, we explore how hazard exposure, vulnerability, and the nature of hazards define disaster risk. Three illustrative scenarios showcase how landslides can have varying levels of risk based on population density in the affected areas. We categorize hazards into natural (such as geological and hydro-meteorological), biological, and technological origins. Each categorization emphasizes the potential damages these hazards can cause, from loss of life to significant economic disruption. Furthermore, characteristics like frequency, duration, and extent are essential components when assessing risks in disaster recovery and management.
Audio Book
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Characteristics of Hazards in Disaster Management
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Chapter Content
Key characteristics of hazards include their frequency, duration, and the extent of their effect.
Detailed Explanation
Understanding how frequently a hazard occurs (frequency), how long it lasts (duration), and how large an area it affects (extent) is essential in disaster management. This information helps organizations plan effective responses and understand the potential impact on communities.
Examples & Analogies
Think of preparing for a storm. If you know it happens once a year in your area (frequency), lasts for two days (duration), and impacts the whole town (extent), you’ll be better prepared than if you were unaware of these aspects.
Key Concepts
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Hazard: A physical event that can cause damage.
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Exposure: Presence of people in hazardous areas.
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Vulnerability: Susceptibility of people and their infrastructure to hazard impacts.
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Natural Hazards: Originating from natural phenomena.
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Biological Hazards: Related to biological phenomena such as diseases.
Examples & Applications
A landslide in a remote area with no settlements poses less risk compared to a landslide in a densely populated urban area.
Flooding in an area where people have built homes close to a river illustrates high exposure and potential vulnerability.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, three words to remember, they define disaster variability.
Stories
Once there was a town near a volcano. The people were warned, but many did not prepare. When the eruption happened, the exposure showed how vulnerable they really were. Always prepare for hazards to reduce vulnerability!
Memory Tools
H.E.V: Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability. Think of it like a triangle, one cannot stand without the other.
Acronyms
HEV – Remember
Hazard leads to Exposure which influences Vulnerability.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Hazard
A potentially damaging physical event or human activity that represents a threat.
- Exposure
The presence of people and properties in hazard-prone areas.
- Vulnerability
The susceptibility of people and properties to suffer harm from hazards.
- Natural Hazards
Hazards triggered by natural processes or phenomena.
- Biological Hazards
Hazards arising from biological phenomena, such as epidemics or infestations.
- Technological Hazards
Hazards resulting from technological processes or failures.
Reference links
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