Hazards

Hazards in geography refer to natural or human-induced events that pose a threat to life, property, and the environment. This topic is central to AQA A-Level Geography, as it explores the physical processes behind tectonic and atmospheric hazards, their impacts on human societies, and the ways in which we manage risk. You'll study the distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, tropical storms, and wildfires, alongside the factors that influence vulnerability and resilience. Understanding hazards is crucial not only for exams but for grasping how our planet's dynamic systems interact with human activity, especially in an era of climate change and growing populations in hazard-prone areas.

The topic is divided into two main sections: tectonic hazards (earthquakes and volcanoes) and atmospheric hazards (tropical storms and wildfires). For each, you'll examine the physical processes that cause them, their spatial distribution, and the resulting impacts on people and places. A key theme is the 'hazard risk equation' — risk = hazard × vulnerability / capacity to cope. This framework helps you analyse why some communities suffer more than others and how mitigation strategies can reduce risk. You'll also explore case studies from contrasting locations, such as the 2015 Nepal earthquake and Hurricane Katrina, to compare responses and outcomes.

Mastering hazards requires linking physical geography (plate tectonics, atmospheric circulation) with human geography (population density, governance, economic development). It's a topic that rewards clear understanding of processes, careful use of case study evidence, and critical evaluation of management strategies. By the end, you should be able to explain why hazards become disasters and assess the effectiveness of different approaches to risk reduction, from engineering solutions to community-based preparedness.