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Natural Hazards

Natural hazards are natural processes that pose a threat to people or property. This topic covers the definition of natural hazards, the two main types (geological and meteorological), and the different factors that affect the level of risk from natural hazards, including vulnerability, capacity to cope, and the nature of the hazard itself.

1) A natural hazard is a natural process which could cause death, injury or disruption to humans, or destroy property and possessions. 2) A natural disaster is a natural hazard that has actually happened. 3) Extreme events which do not pose any threat to human activity are not counted as hazards (e.g. a drought in an uninhabited desert or an avalanche in Antarctica). 4) Natural hazards are becoming more frequent and more damaging. This is partly because more people are living in hazard-prone areas, and partly because climate change may be making some extreme weather events more common.

Key Terms

Natural hazard — A natural process which could cause death, injury or disruption to humans, or destroy property and possessions.
Natural disaster — A natural hazard that has actually happened.

Exam Tips

  • •Make sure you understand the difference between a natural hazard and a natural disaster -- a hazard is a potential threat, while a disaster is when it actually happens.
  • •When outlining factors that affect hazard risk, think about vulnerability, capacity to cope, and the nature of the hazard (type, frequency, magnitude).
  • •Outline one factor that can affect the risk from natural hazards. [2 marks] -- e.g. Vulnerability: The more people in an area exposed to hazards, the greater the probability they'll be affected. For example, Bangladesh has a high population density on a flood plain, so it is very vulnerable to flooding.
  • •Remember that the same hazard can have very different effects in different countries -- always link this to wealth and development level.
  • •An extreme event in an uninhabited area (e.g. an earthquake under the ocean with no resulting tsunami) is NOT a natural hazard because it doesn't threaten people.