Lesson 9 6 th Grade Exploring Risks

What is Risk? Risk is the exposure to the chance of injury or loss. Risk is the exposure to the chance of injury or loss. Risk is often used to describe the likelihood of danger. Risk is often used to describe the likelihood of danger.

Probability Probability is the likelihood of an event taking place. Probability is the likelihood of an event taking place. This is usually expressed as a percentage. This is usually expressed as a percentage. The ability to forecast an event is based on probability. The ability to forecast an event is based on probability.

Hurricanes The probability of a hurricane is greater in the summer months. The probability of a hurricane is greater in the summer months. The greatest risk is in southern and western Florida and along the Gulf Coast. The greatest risk is in southern and western Florida and along the Gulf Coast.

Tornadoes The greatest risk is in Tornado Alley. The greatest risk is in Tornado Alley. Tornado Alley is in the Midwest (remember Dorothy in Oz?). Tornado Alley is in the Midwest (remember Dorothy in Oz?).

Floods The greatest risk of floods is in the flood plain areas (where silt is deposited by flooding). The greatest risk of floods is in the flood plain areas (where silt is deposited by flooding). These are located in Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. These are located in Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

Earthquakes Earthquakes may occur in the U.S. in all states. Earthquakes may occur in the U.S. in all states. The states with the highest probability of having an earthquake are Alaska, California, Nevada, and Hawaii. The states with the highest probability of having an earthquake are Alaska, California, Nevada, and Hawaii.

Volcanoes Volcanoes are found in Hawaii and in western states. Volcanoes are found in Hawaii and in western states. Alaska also has volcanoes. Alaska also has volcanoes.

Trends Scientists use probability to forecast the likelihood of a catastrophic event taking place. Scientists use probability to forecast the likelihood of a catastrophic event taking place. Although we cannot prevent catastrophic events, we can limit the death and destruction that may occur. Although we cannot prevent catastrophic events, we can limit the death and destruction that may occur.

Mitigation The word mitigate means to make something less severe, painful, or intense. The word mitigate means to make something less severe, painful, or intense. We can mitigate catastrophic events by building houses in certain ways and in certain locations. We can mitigate catastrophic events by building houses in certain ways and in certain locations. We can cut down on the loss of life by evacuating in a timely manner. We can cut down on the loss of life by evacuating in a timely manner.