Initial Research - Éanna Burke

What is the definition of a natural disaster and what are classified as natural disasters

A natural disaster is any calamitous occurrence caused by natural phenomena that causes a great loss to human life, destruction of natural environment or private property, typically leaving economic damage afterwards. No place on Earth is safe from these although certain types of disasters are limited to specific geographic regions.

Human - Nature interaction to disasters

Interaction from both human and nature is required for a natural disaster to occur, without either one a disaster cannot occur. For example an earthquake in a remote and uninhabited are would be considered a natural hazard but will not result in a disaster.

Natural Disaster Management 

This includes action taken before and after the event. The most commonly used model is of disaster management is known as “PPRR” or “RRPP” and was developed in the USA. In this model there are 2 stages known as the “Humanitarian Aid Stage” and the “Development Stage” and there are 4 phases, 2 phases in each stage.

Humanitarian Aid Stage

This stage comprises the “RR” of the model, the response and recovery phases.

The response phase occurs directly after a natural disaster. The main goal of this phase is on search and rescue and to prevent as many mortalities as possible while providing basic needs to survivors such as shelter, food and medical care. Effective communication is vital during this phase, in recent disasters use of social media platforms has positively affected rescue operations. 

Part of this phase is providing relief for up to 6 months and the end of an emergency period, during this time outside assistance is generally available and the focus is on preventing further mortalities and helping survivors restart their lives. Typically during this time unsafe structures are demolished and removed along with debris that would be left around, providing needs such as water, power, transportation, sanitation, temporary shelter and healthcare facilities.

Each type of disaster will require specific medical such as earthquake survivors will need medical attention for fractures and respiratory infections etc

The recovery phase under the humanitarian aid stage overlaps with the relief period and can last for many years. 

These are the disasters that would be classed as a natural disaster:

Disasters caused by Geological Hazards

• Landslides
• Avalanches
• Earthquakes
• Sinkholes
• Coastal Erosion
• Volcanic Eruptions

Disasters caused by Water Hazards

• Floods
• Tsunami
• Limnic eruptions

Disasters caused by Extreme Weather Hazards

• Hot and Dry Conditions
  • Heat Waves
  • Drought
  • Dust Storms
  • Fire Storms
  • Wildfires

• Storms
  • Tropical Cyclone
  • Thunderstorm
  • Tornadoes

• Cold Weather Events
  • Blizzards
  • Hail Storms
  • Ice Storms
  • Cold Waves

Protocols for natural disasters:

Hurricanes:

Hurricanes are usually preceded by hours or days of fore notice allowing people in the are to prepare. People

Graph showing the average deaths caused by natural disasters over 10 year periods

References:

https://ourworldindata.org/natural-disasters

https://www.britannica.com/science/natural-disaster

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/disaster-types#:~:text=Natural%20disasters%20are%20large%2Dscale,Hurricanes%20and%20Tropical%20Storms

https://emergency.tufts.edu/news/2020/11/18/natural-disaster/