Key Words - World at risk

Hazard:

A perceived natural event which has the potential to threaten both life and property

Disaster

A hazard on a large scale that causes deaths and damage to goods, property and investment.

Geophysical Hazard

A hazard formed by tectonic/geological processes

Hydrometeorological Hazard

A hazard formed by hydrological and atmospheric processes

Biophysical hazard

Natural disasters such as diseases of humans, plants and animals, biomass fires and plant/animal infestations

Risk

The probability of a hazard event occuring and creating loss of lives and livelyhood.

Chronic Hazards

Long term and persistant hazard

Context Hazard

Hazards that have potentially global impacts and could also lead to more of some types of hazard (Global warming)