Natural Events Natural events, such as showers of rain or gusts of wind are caused by nature, not people. A natural event is the result of a series of related actions known as processes. Rainfall processes, for example, include evaporation, condensation and precipitation. Natural events occur frequently in many environments. Wars and other human disasters are not included in the term “natural events”. Ballantynes Fire – possibly caused by an electrical fault Napier Fire – caused by the 1931 earthquake

Extreme Natural Events Usually, natural processes maintain the environment. However, extreme natural events are likely to modify or change the environment. Extreme natural events are natural hazards only if they threaten people’s activities (cultural processes) or property (cultural resources). Natural events in remote regions, well away from people and their property, are not natural hazards. FREQUENCY – Some extreme natural events occur less frequently than others but cause more damage when they occur. DURATION – Some extreme natural events last longer than others. A drought lasts much longer than an earthquake, which may be over in a few seconds. ONSET PERIOD – Some extreme natural events build up more slowly, and give more warning than others. A tropical cyclone has a much slower onset period than a hailstorm.

Are caused by nature, not people. NATURAL EVENTS Are caused by nature, not people. Occur frequently in many environments. Are the result of a series of processes. Usually maintain the natural environment. EXTREME NATURAL EVENTS Are caused by nature, not people. Occur less frequently than natural events. Are the result of a series of processes. Usually modify or change the natural environment. Can occur with or without warning. Can last a few seconds or longer. Can occur frequently and cause different amounts of damage. A NATURAL HAZARD IS AN EXTREME NATURAL EVENT WHICH PUTS PEOPLE’S ACTIONS, PROPERTY OR RESOURCES AT RISK.

Now sort the cards into these categories: NATURAL EVENTS EXTREME NATURAL EVENTS NATURAL HAZARDS MAN MADE EVENTS