Natural Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes

      After beginning the first chapter of Pearson's Natural Hazards, Earths Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes 4th ed., (2015), by Edward A. Keller and Duane E. DeVecchico it became clear devastating events which happen worldwide such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and flooding are normal. These events that can affect countless people are simply Earth's natural processes which are defined as "physical, chemical, and biological ways by which events, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, and floods affect Earth's surface" (Keller and DeVecchio 5). These processes are broken up into two specifications internal, and external, which depending on the potential threat is classified as either a hazard, disaster, or catastrophe.  A natural hazard "is a natural process and event that is a potential threat to human life and property" (Keller and DeVecchio 5). Earth's natural processes are not a hazard themselves but become so when people use the land that is affected. Next, a natural disaster "is a hazardous event that occurs over a limited time span within a defined area. Criteria for a natural disaster are (1) 10 or more people are killed, (2) 100 or more people are affected, (3) a state of emergency is declared, and (4) international assistance is requested" (Keller and DeVecchio 5). If any of the preceding criteria are met, whether it be caused by an earthquake, flood, or hurricane, then the event would be classified as a natural disaster. Finally, the largest and most worrisome event is a natural catastrophe which "is a massive disaster that requires significant expenditure of money and a long time (often years) for recovery to take place" (Keller and DeVecchio 5). These three terms are used to describe human interaction with the natural processes of Earth, and while some areas are more prone to being affected by a natural hazard than others, no place is considered risk free.

Works Cited 

Keller, A. Edward, and Duane E. DeVecchio. Natural Hazards, Earth's Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes. 4th ed., Pearson Education, 2015. Print. Accessed 23 August 2018.