Hazard risk and vulnerability
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Question
State the hazard risk equation.
Answer
**Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability / Capacity to cope** - impact depends on exposure and coping ability, not just the event's size.
Question
Define vulnerability (hazards).
Answer
How **susceptible** a community is to harm from a hazard, set by economic, social, demographic and political factors.
Question
Define capacity to cope.
Answer
The ability to **prepare for, withstand and recover** from a hazard - wealth, governance, planning and warning systems.
Question
Define risk perception.
Answer
How seriously people **judge a threat**, which shapes whether they prepare or ignore it.
Question
Name the four groups of vulnerability factors.
Answer
**Economic, social, demographic and political** factors.
Question
How does poverty raise vulnerability?
Answer
It forces people into flimsy homes on risky land with no insurance, so buildings collapse and recovery is slow.
Question
How does governance change risk?
Answer
Strong governance brings enforced building codes, warnings and planning; weak governance leaves people unprotected.
Question
How does age structure affect risk?
Answer
Many elderly or very young people struggle to flee and recover, raising vulnerability.
Question
Case study - Haiti 2010?
Answer
Mw 7.0 quake; ~**220,000** deaths from poverty, weak governance, no enforced codes and a dense capital - very high vulnerability.
Question
Case study - Christchurch 2011?
Answer
Mw 6.3 quake; only **185** deaths - a wealthy, well-governed city with enforced codes, insurance and preparedness.
Question
Case study - Nevado del Ruiz 1985?
Answer
Colombian eruption; a lahar buried Armero killing ~**23,000** because warnings were poor and ignored - low capacity to cope.
Question
What does a top [10] Examine answer need?
Answer
A range of developed factors (economic/social/demographic/political), named case studies with data, a weighing of importance, and a judgement.
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Hazard risk and vulnerability
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