What is a hazard?

LO: To understand the term hazard and know the scales used

to measure them

Chitter chatter starter:

1) What is a hazard?2) What makes it a natural hazard?3) List as many natural hazards as you can think of.4) When does a natural hazard become a natural disaster?5) Have you ever experienced a natural hazard or disaster?6) Do natural hazards occur in certain parts of the world more than others? Where? Why?

What is a hazard?

A good definition for a ‘natural hazard’ is:

“a ________ natural _____which has the _______to ______both ____and ______”

property perceived potential threaten life event

Distribution of Hazards

• Look at the hazard map showing the main hazards:– Volcanoes– Earthquakes

• Complete another map plotting on the hurricanes and drought areas. You may change the colours if you wish.

• Stick both maps into your book under the mini subheading ‘Distribution of Natural Hazards’

Answer the following in full sentences in your book

1. Describe the distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, drought and hurricanes using some examples of the words in the boxes below:

2. Which places in the world are the most vulnerable to natural hazards? Give some named examples. These are called ‘hotspots’.

3. What do you notice about these hotspot countries? Are there any other reasons for their vulnerability?

Extension: can you think of a good definition for the word ‘natural hazard’?

Questions

oceans land masses mountains compass points

Investigating hazards

• Hazards are a danger and to understand them humans study them.

• In your pairs consider for each of the hazards below: what you would measure and how you would measure certain aspects of the hazards to gain a greater understanding of it.– Volcanoes– Hurricanes– Tornadoes– Earthquakes

Sharing your ideas

Hazard Scales

Hazard Scales

Hazard Scales

Hazard Scales

Hazard Scales

Hazard Questions

• What hazards are difficult to measure?

• What do you think a greater level of hazard understanding might achieve?

• Do you think we will ever fully understand natural hazards?