Chapter 1

Basic Concept of
Hazard
Lesson 1:
Introduction to Different
Types of Hazards
 Learning Outcomes
◈Explain what a hazard is;
◈Define the two main categories (Natural and Man-
made) of hazards; and
◈Identify the impact of hazards common in their
environment.
◈What are the natural
processes that shape and
change our environment?
 Natural Processes
I. Plate tectonics
II.Atmospheric processes
III.Biological Accumulation
IV.Human Activities
 Hazard
◈A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or
condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health
impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and
services, social and economic disruption, or
environmental damage.
 Hazard
◈ "Those elements of the physical environment, harmful to man and
caused by forces extraneous to him" (Burton et al 1978).

◈ Standards Australia (2000) defines a hazard as ‘A source of

potential harm or a situation with a potential to cause loss.’

◈ A natural event that has the potential to cause harm or loss. -ADPC
 Disaster
◈A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or
a society involving widespread human, material, economic
or environmental losses and impacts which exceeds the
ability of affected community or society to cope using its
own resources.
 Activity 1.
Classifying Phenomena according to Hazards

A. Ground shaking H. Typhoon

B. Tornado I. Forest fire
C. Landslide J. Liquefaction
D. Flood K. Storm surge
E. Indoor fire L. Tsunami
F. Lava flow M. Extreme rainfall
G. Industrial pollution
 Natural Hazards Man- made and technological
hazards

Definition Naturally- occurring A hazard originating from

physical phenomena technological or industrial
caused either by conditions, including
rapid or slow onset accidents, dangerous
events procedures, infrastructure
failures or specific human
activities.
 Biological Hazard Geological Hazard Hydrometeorological Hazard
Definition Process or Geological Processes or
phenomenon of processes or phenomenon of
organic origin an or phenomenon atmospheric,
conveyed by hydrological and
biological vectors/ oceanographic
agents, including nature
exposure to
pathogenic
microorganism,
toxins and bioactive
substances
 Activity 2.
Identifying Impacts of Hazards

◈Role Play
A. Family in concrete house near the highway far from river and mountain
B. Mountain climbers going up to the slope
C. Exchange learners in a local family home in the barrio near the river
D. Friends in a beach resort
E. Fishermen out in the sea
F. Passenger in a jeep along a road with moderate traffic.
 Guidelines
1. There should be one reporter, who will explain what the group is
representing.
2. The rest of the group, actors, will take one roles, wether of living or non-
living things. But there should always be at least one human in every
situation. For example, they can all be humans or one human and the rest
are either animals, plants or inanimate objects.
3. No member is needed to represent the hazard.
 Guidelines
1. The actors must represent what is happening to the living and/ or non living things
caught in the given situation. The assumption is that they are unable to avoid the
situation.
2. 5- 10 minutes to make a depiction.
3. The grade will be based on the accuracy of the depiction of possible impacts, not on the
acting.
4. Each group should submit the list of roles to the teacher. This will be used as a guide for
grading.