Understanding Hazards and Disasters

A hazard is a danger, a natural event that can hurt people, damage buildings, or destroy the environment.

When a hazard kills people or causes major damage, it becomes a disaster. There are three

main types of hazards: geophysical, like earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis; atmospheric,

like hurricanes, tornadoes, and droughts; and hydrological, like floods and

landslides. Disasters are worse in poor countries because people live in risky areas,

in weak houses, and often have no protection or money to recover. We manage hazards

using the PPRR model: Prediction, Preparation, Response, and Recovery.

Prediction uses technology to warn people before events. Preparation teaches what to do and plans