Summary
Contents
Subject index
This unique addition to reference literature provides an introduction to the major concepts and contemporary issues that are essential for students of environmental science and environmental studies to know. With over 200 entries authored by world-class names like Anthony Brazel, John Day and Edward Keller, this text is divided into six sections: Environmental Science, Environments, Paradigms & Concepts, Processes & Dynamics, Scales & Techniques, and Environmental Issues.
Hazards
Hazards
The term ‘hazard’ refers to those natural processes that have the potential to damage human property and take human lives. In a broader sense, hazards also have the potential to damage ecosystems. Hazards are often natural processes that are hazardous because people live and work in places where natural processes that produce hazards occur. These processes include: flood, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, coastal erosion, hurricane, tornado, lightning, drought, and frost among others. The occurrence of these processes may be influenced by human use of the land and in particular land-use changes, such as urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation, which affect natural processes and influence the magnitude and frequency of events such as flooding and landsliding.
An important concept related to natural hazards involves their potential to produce ...
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