THESE TERMS ARE OFTEN CONFUSED BUT THEY ARE QUITE DIFFERENT. Perception, Risk and Vulnerability

Terms Risk - the probability of a hazard occurring Vulnerability - the susceptibility of a population or society to the impacts of a hazard Perception - a population or individuals understanding of hazard risk

EARTHQUAKES HURRICANE/CYCLONE Proximity to Plate Boundaries Proximity to active fault line like San Andreas in USA (Frequency) Living on soft ground that amplifies earthquake waves Proximity to coastlines in earthquake zones (Tsunami risk) Living in the tropics Living near coastlines in the tropics visiting the tropics during hurricane season Factors that might influence risk

TIME (SEASON) LOCATION A bush fire is much more likely to occur during summer due to: -higher average temperatures -dry conditions and dry fuel -Electric storms more frequent (lightning) -hot winds more frequent Location and Time

EARTHQUAKES HURRICANES/CYCLONES The risk of Earthquake along the North Anatolian Fault in Turkey is greater than along the San Andreas Fault line because earthquakes occur there more frequently. Time is unlikely to be so important in earthquake events since time scales for earthquakes are large and sporadic and not dependent on season. Strong seasonal influence due to insolation warming oceans to 26.5◦ and release of latent heat Prevailing winds and distance of open ocean Location and Time

Factors Influencing Vulnerability Vulnerability Knowledge about the Event Education about Safe Procedures Upkeep to the home Access to Technology Wealth Time of the Event State of Health Clothing and Equipment Emergency Services Other People Perception of Risk

Perception of the risk underlies a number of factors that result in higher vulnerability. If people believe that “it will never happen to me” They might not: -invest in safety equipment -seek knowledge of the event -bother to understand potential hazards or best response Acquire technology such as a radio, breathing equipment or similar

Time of the Event Day or Night? Winter or Summer? Week day or Week-end? Rush hour or midday? This year or next year? In my lifetime or my childs? Time scales are important since we are often more vulnerable at certain times. In 1993 an Earthquake struck Gujarat in India at 5am – many people were buried alive by collapsed homes while they slept. Two –three hours later and many more would have survived.

Other People Other people can influence your vulnerability. For example: -Someone in the street might be a firefighter -A neighbour might not cut back his trees during fire season -A dilapidated building or leaning tree might come down on to your property during a storm -A neighbour might have a basement you can shelter in.

Wealth Sadly money to a certain extent controls the vulnerability of individuals and communities. -Can the town afford the Cyclone shelter? -Can the family afford to put in a basement -Can the whole street afford to put in roof sprinklers? -Can the city afford to train enough emergency personnel? -Does the country have the means to supply food and water?

Health The most vulnerable in hazard prone environments are the very young, the elderly, the sick and the invalids. A simple injury such as a twisted ankle can affect your vulnerability Temporary illness Often vulnerable communities suffer from secondary events. For example they survived the Flood, but became sick due to the spread of disease that followed (consumption of dirty water)

Technology Radio and TV broadcast knowledge of the hazard, where it is, where it is heading, its intensity Sources of light –most hazards cut electricity Power tools, useful for cutting and lifting Communication devices such as phones, internet and GPS may assist in last minute education and avoidance or help in response

Clothing and Equipment Owning or having access to the ideal clothing or equipment can be critical for survival or reducing potential impact: -Bushfire –Natural fabrics long sleeves and long pants –breathing apparatus, petrol powered water pump, metal buckets -Flood –Warm clothing, torch, food, clean water, boat/raft -Earthquake – Clean water, food, torch, spare batteries, first aid box, portable gas cooking or camping gear, blankets.

Emergency Services Communities are less vulnerable if there are trained personnel who can: -Organize evacuation -Treat injuries on site -Cut trapped people from wreckage -Free people buried under rubble -Transport key supplies such as food, water, blankets to those effected -Give advice, broadcast information, reduce panic

Upkeep of the home Some homes are more vulnerable than others. It does depend on the hazard of course Earthquake –homes built illegally and not to building standards are vulnerable to collapse. Bushfire –homes with overgrown gardens and overhanging trees more vulnerable than cleared gardens Cyclone –homes that are not elevated in areas prone to tidal surge or homes without windows boarded up Tornadoes –homes without basements

Education Education can save lives. Here are some examples: -Knowing to get under a table or stand in a doorway during an earthquake -Knowing that the eye will be preceded by the strongest winds and rainfall in a hurricane/cyclone -that fire travels uphill faster than downhill -Having a good bushfire plan -Tsunamis are preceded by rapid ocean withdrawal at the beach –minutes to get to higher ground -Acquiring skills such as first aid, or bush survival

Education Source:Image: Tsunami Warning, a Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike (2.0) image from livenature's photostreamTsunami WarningAttribution Share-Alike (2.0)

Revision For a selected hazard/disaster (hurricane, earthquake or drought), compare the factors influencing vulnerability for an LEDC and an MEDC - as mentioned on the spider diagram on slide 6. Explain why perception of risk of your chosen hazard is especially important and how individuals can ensure they are realistic in their perception.