Hazard risk and vulnerability
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State the hazard risk equation.
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10.3.112 cards
State the hazard risk equation.
**Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability / Capacity to cope** - impact depends on exposure and coping ability, not just the event's size.
Define vulnerability (hazards).
How **susceptible** a community is to harm from a hazard, set by economic, social, demographic and political factors.
Define capacity to cope.
The ability to **prepare for, withstand and recover** from a hazard - wealth, governance, planning and warning systems.
Define risk perception.
How seriously people **judge a threat**, which shapes whether they prepare or ignore it.
Name the four groups of vulnerability factors.
**Economic, social, demographic and political** factors.
How does poverty raise vulnerability?
It forces people into flimsy homes on risky land with no insurance, so buildings collapse and recovery is slow.
How does governance change risk?
Strong governance brings enforced building codes, warnings and planning; weak governance leaves people unprotected.
How does age structure affect risk?
Many elderly or very young people struggle to flee and recover, raising vulnerability.
Case study - Haiti 2010?
Mw 7.0 quake; ~**220,000** deaths from poverty, weak governance, no enforced codes and a dense capital - very high vulnerability.
Case study - Christchurch 2011?
Mw 6.3 quake; only **185** deaths - a wealthy, well-governed city with enforced codes, insurance and preparedness.
Case study - Nevado del Ruiz 1985?
Colombian eruption; a lahar buried Armero killing ~**23,000** because warnings were poor and ignored - low capacity to cope.
What does a top [10] Examine answer need?
A range of developed factors (economic/social/demographic/political), named case studies with data, a weighing of importance, and a judgement.
Topic 10.3 study notes
Full notes & explanations for Hazard risk and vulnerability
Geography exam skills
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