SECTION 3.

2 CHARACTERISTICS
OF HAZARD
Section Objectives:
1. Define parameters used to describe hazard.
2. Explain how hazard parameters are gathered and used to estimate
probability of occurrence.
3. Quantify the probability of occurrence of a hazard of given strength or size.
In a sports event like basketball, height is considered as might. Players of a
team are classified according to height so that they can take on suitable roles.
Height is not the only measure of strength for a basketball player. Speed is as
critical, if not more important in many basketball games. Just imagine if hazard
events are not measured in terms of severity. What happens when people
underestimate the strength of a coming typhoon? In the same way, negative
consequences arise from overreaction to an event which turns out to be of little
or no threat at all. In relation to hazard and disaster risk assessment, what
hazard characteristics must be taken into account?
Key Hazard Parameters
Most hazard quantification methods consider the magnitude and intensity in
determining the level of harm that a hazard event might bring. The magnitude of
the event is a measure of its strength and is an indication of how destructive it
can be. Most hazard events are measured on some kind of scale to give to give
them a quantifiable outcome. The Richter Magnitude Scale measures the
amount of seismic energy released in an earthquake, while Volcanic Explosivity
Index (VEI) measures the relative explosiveness of eruptions based mainly on
visual observations.