Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes
Chapter one posed a multitude of information regarding the differences between natural hazards, disasters and catastrophes. Natural hazards are simply natural processes that take place on the Earth. Some natural hazards include volcanoes, earthquakes, and windstorms. These natural events pose only a potential threat in the case of human life or property being present in their wake. A natural disaster is an event in which less than ten people are killed, less than one hundred people are effected, a state of emergency is declared or a request for international assistance is sent out. Only one of these pieces of criteria need to be met for the event to be considered a disaster. Lastly a catastrophe is a major disaster that devastates an area. A large sum on money and extended period of time is needed to recover from these types of events.