Hazards can vary in the amount of damage they cause because of the following factors:
Factor |
Explanation |
Geology |
Rock type affects the severity of a hazard. An earthquake in an area of soft rock is larger and lasts longer than one in an area of hard rock. Soft rock also makes the risk of liquefaction greater. |
Magnitude |
This is the size of the hazard event. The greater the force of the hazard the more likely it is the hazard will have a greater impact on people. |
Frequency |
This is how often the hazard occurs. Larger, more devastating earthquakes are rare whereas floods can occur annually. The more often a population is affected by a hazard, the more likely they are to adapt their way of life to cope. |
Population Density |
The greater the number of people there are in an area, the greater the risk. A hazard which occurs in a sparsely populated area would have a lower impact than a hazard in a densely populated area. |
Level of development |
The more developed a population, the more chance there is they are prepared for an eruption. Countries can be split into HICs (High-Income countries) and LICs (Low-Income Countries). |
Management |
The amount of preparation a country has in place for natural hazards can help to reduce hazard risk. |
Education |
Teaching the population how to prepare and respond to an earthquake can reduce the hazard risk. |
Time |
The time of day the hazard occurs can affect the level of risk. |
Exam Practice Focus
Have a go at this question:
There are a range of factors affecting hazard risk. Choose the two correct statements and write the letters in your books. (2)
A. HICs are more likely to have poorer defences.
B. The more often a hazard occurs, the better prepared a place is likely to be.
C. Harder rock causes earthquakes to have a larger effect.
D. The better educated a population is, the lower their hazard risk.
E. Sparsely populated areas have a higher hazard risk.
F. The lower the magnitude, the greater the hazard risk.
There are a range of factors affecting hazard risk. Choose the two correct statements and write the letters in your books. (2)
A. HICs are more likely to have poorer defences.
B. The more often a hazard occurs, the better prepared a place is likely to be.
C. Harder rock causes earthquakes to have a larger effect.
D. The better educated a population is, the lower their hazard risk.
E. Sparsely populated areas have a higher hazard risk.
F. The lower the magnitude, the greater the hazard risk.