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DRRR-TOPIC 9

The document outlines various natural and technological hazards that pose threats to people and the environment, including geophysical, hydrological, climatological, meteorological, biological, and manmade hazards. It explains the impacts of these hazards, which can result in death, injury, economic loss, environmental degradation, and social disruption. The analysis of hazards considers their magnitude, frequency, and intensity, highlighting the risks to physical, social, economic, and environmental elements of society.

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maryrosegimaoencinares
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3 views

DRRR-TOPIC 9

The document outlines various natural and technological hazards that pose threats to people and the environment, including geophysical, hydrological, climatological, meteorological, biological, and manmade hazards. It explains the impacts of these hazards, which can result in death, injury, economic loss, environmental degradation, and social disruption. The analysis of hazards considers their magnitude, frequency, and intensity, highlighting the risks to physical, social, economic, and environmental elements of society.

Uploaded by

maryrosegimaoencinares
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TOPIC: IMPACT OF HAZARD (Explain the impact of various hazards on people and the environment)

YOUR TARGET:

 Identify the various hazards on people and the environment .


 Explain the impacts of hazards on people and the environment.

HAZARD is a situation that poses certain level of threat.

Natural Hazards are naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or slow onset events which can be:

1. geophysical (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic activity)

2. hydrological (avalanches, floods)

3. climatological (extreme temperature, drought and wildfires)

4. meteorological (cyclones and storms/wave surges)

5. biological (disease, epidemics and insects/animal plagues)

Technological or manmade hazards are events that are caused by humans and occur in or close to human settlements. This
can include environmental degradation, pollution and accidents such as:

1. complex emergencies/armed conflicts

2. famine

3. displaced populations

4. industrial accidents

5. transport accidents

IMPACTS OF HAZARD

Impacts of hazards are measured through analysis of the interaction between the hazard and the receptors. Receptors are
the people, properties, infrastructure or environment that may be harmed as a result of interaction of hazard.

A Hazard is a threat. A future source of danger. It has the potential to cause harm to:

o People - death, injury, disease and stress

o Human activity – economic, educational etc.

o Property - property damage, economic loss

o Environment – loss fauna and flora, pollution, less amenities.

The elements of society are considered at risk when they are exposed to certain hazards and there is a probability that they
will be badly affected by the impact of hazards when they happen. (Kotze and Gesit, 2006)
Certain elements at risk exposed to hazards are the following:

1. Physical

This includes facilities and services and community structures such as houses, access roads, bridges, schools and hospitals.
Hazards may cause loss of vital infrastructure and facilities, widespread loss of housing, loss of electrical and power stations
and communication lines and key transport infrastructure such as access roads, bridges and ports.

2. Social

This pertains to the people, which includes their lives and health, households and the community. In the occurrence of
hazardous events, one may experience grief and psychological trauma. Stress is also inevitable. Depression may also arise
due to loss of loved ones and properties. Health issues will also be affected in the presence of biological hazards that may
pose a threat to the health of the people.

This also may include danger from hazardous chemicals or the presence of epidemic or pandemic in the area. Displacement
of population may also occur as people migrate to safe environment or places. Loss of cultural identity may happen as
people are forced to adapt to a new culture.

3. Economic

It involves livelihood and economic activities which includes jobs, equipment, production, crops, livestock, agriculture,
sales, etc.

The impact of hazards may include the loss of harvest. This may be due to the infertility of the soil which may be wiped
away by floods, drought and other natural phenomena. Loss of fishing vessels and equipment could also happen.

4. Environment

This element gives emphasis to the natural environment itself. Hazards may cause a lot of harm to the environment such as
loss of forest, contamination of water sources, loss of freshwater environments, pollution, environmental degradation and
global warming. One of the most common hazards that has a large impact in the environment nowadays is the mining
activities that cause major environmental degradation.

Magnitude is an important characteristic for analyzing hazards since only occurrences exceeding some defined level of
magnitude are considered hazardous. The level of harm is governed by:

 Magnitude of the hazard


 Frequency of hazard or recurrence
 Intensity at the impact point

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