Type of Hazard
This unit is all about Natural hazards. AQA define natural hazards as;
“A natural event (for example earthquake, volcanic eruption, tropical storm, flood) that threatens people or has the potential to cause damage, destruction and death.”
The key part of the definition is the threat to human populations and their properties. There are many natural events around the globe that do not occur in close proximity to people so do not pose a hazard. When natural events occur close to large or vulnerable populations we have a natural hazard on our hands.
There are different types of natural hazards that can affect people around the globe, including;
• Atmospheric hazards - Created in the atmosphere, by the movement of air and water
• Terrestrial/Geological hazards - Created by the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates or surface rock and soils
• Water based hazards - Created by rivers, sea or oceans
• Biological Hazards - Any biological substance that poses a threat to the health of people
Nine deadliest natural disasters since 1900
| Rank | Death toll (estimate) | Event | Location | Date |
| 1 | 1,000,000–4,000,000 | 1931 China floods | China | July 1931 |
| 2 | 450,000 (242,000–655,000) | 1976 Tangshan earthquake | China | July 1976 |
| 3 | 375,000 (250,000–500,000) | 1970 Bhola cyclone | East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) | November 1970 |
| 4 | 280,000 | 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami | Indian Ocean | December 26, 2004 |
| 5 | 273,400 | 1920 Haiyuan earthquake | China | December 1920 |
| 6 | 229,000 | Typhoon Nina—contributed to Banqiao Dam failure | China | August 7, 1975 |
| 7 | 160,000 | 2010 Haiti earthquake | Haiti | January 12, 2010 |
| 8 | 145,000 | 1935 Yangtze river flood | China | 1935 |
| 9 | 142,000 | 1923 Great Kanto earthquake | Japan | September 1923 |
NEXT TOPIC = Factors Affecting Hazard Risk
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