Is there a difference between natural hazards and natural disasters?
1 Answer
The two may be used interchangeably but natural hazards are threats or events themselves. When we use the term natural disaster, we are referring to the effect on humans.
Explanation:
The two may be used interchangeably but natural hazards are threats or events themselves. When we use the term natural disaster, we are referring to the effect on humans. There would be no natural disasters without humans. Once humans are harmed, we're referring to a natural disaster.
For example, earthquakes, landslides, blizzards, tornados, and hailstorms are all natural hazards. The 2010 earthquake in Haiti is a recent natural disaster or the 2004 Tsunami that impacted Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and India is another natural disaster. The event happened, humans suffered, and thus we have a natural disaster.
To learn more, see this webpage on natural disasters and hazards.
