New
New
Factors affecting hazard risk
I can explain that several factors affect hazard risk.
Lesson 2 of 12
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Factors affecting hazard risk
I can explain that several factors affect hazard risk.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Hazard risk is the likelihood of being affected by a natural event.
- Physical factors affect risk, such as climate change.
- Human factors affect risk, including poverty, urbanisation and climate change.
Keywords
Hazard risk - the likelihood that people or property will be harmed by a natural hazard
Natural hazard - a natural event that has the potential to cause damage, loss of life or economic disruption
Common misconception
The bigger the hazard event is, the higher the hazard risk will be.
The size of the hazard event is not the only factor that affects hazard risk. For example, a higher income country may have a lower hazard risk for a magnitude 6.5 earthquake than a lower income country, even though the earthquakes have equal power.
The UN's INFORM risk assessment tool is used in this lesson. The map explorer tool is a good way of exploring the concept of hazard risk and the factors that affect it.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A natural is a natural event that has the potential to cause damage, loss of life or economic disruption.
A natural is a natural event that has the potential to cause damage, loss of life or economic disruption.
Q2.Which of the following are examples of natural hazards?
Which of the following are examples of natural hazards?
smog
overfishing
Q3.__________ is the likelihood that people or property will be harmed by a natural hazard.
__________ is the likelihood that people or property will be harmed by a natural hazard.
Natural disaster
Globalisation
Q4.What term is used for a very powerful low-pressure weather system with strong winds and heavy rainfall that can be disruptive and dangerous?
What term is used for a very powerful low-pressure weather system with strong winds and heavy rainfall that can be disruptive and dangerous?
earthquake
landslide
drought
Q5.Match the hazard to its type.
Match the hazard to its type.
Q6.A powerful earthquake that occurs in a densely-populated city is likely to cause a natural .
A powerful earthquake that occurs in a densely-populated city is likely to cause a natural .
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1. is the likelihood that people or property will be harmed by a natural hazard.
is the likelihood that people or property will be harmed by a natural hazard.
Q2.What physical factors affect hazard risk?
What physical factors affect hazard risk?
Q3.Human factors can have a significant impact on hazard risk...
Human factors can have a significant impact on hazard risk...
Q4.What makes communities more vulnerable to natural hazards?
What makes communities more vulnerable to natural hazards?
economic development
level of inequality
economic dependency
vulnerable groups, such as displaced people
