Hazard
Probability that a particular danger (threat) occurs within a given period of time. A rare or extreme event in the natural or man-made environment that adversely affects human life, property or activity to the extent of causing disaster. A hazard is a natural or man-made phenomenon which may cause physical damage, economic losses, or threaten human life and well-being if it occurs in an area of human settlement, agricultural, or industrial activity. Note, however, that in engineering, the term is used in a more specific, mathematical sense to mean the probability of the occurrence, within a specified period of time and a given area, of a particular, potentially damaging phenomenon of a given severity/intensity.

Hazard assessment
(Sometimes Hazard Analysis/Evaluation) The process of estimating, for defined areas, the probabilities of the occurrence of potentially damaging phenomenon of given magnitudes within a specified period of time. Hazard assessment involves analysis of formal and informal historical records, and skilled interpretation of existing topographical, geological, geomorphological, hydrological, and land-use maps.

Hazard estimation
The process of identifying the probability of occurrence of a damaging event.

Hazard identification
The process of recognizing and accounting for all possible hazards that might occur within the place and time period of interest. For landslides this involves identifying landslide type, landslide impact characteristics and consequential landslide hazards. The process needs to consider the types of element at risk as well the relationship in time and space between landslides and elements at risk. In the overall process of risk assessment, hazard identification and consequence analysis are interdependent should be carried out simultaneously.

Hazard mapping
The process of establishing geographically where and to what extent particular phenomena are likely to pose a threat to people, property, infrastructure, and economic activities. Hazard mapping represents the result of hazard assessment on a map, showing the frequency/probability of occurrences of various magnitudes or durations.

Human factors
Human factors refer to environmental, organisational and job factors, and human and individual characteristics which influence behaviour in a way which can affect safety.

Human-made disasters
Disasters or emergency situations of which the principal, direct causes are identifiable human actions, deliberate or otherwise. Apart from “technological disasters”, this mainly involves situations in which civilian populations suffer casualties, losses of property, basic services, and means of livelihood as a result of war, civil strife, or other conflict. In many cases, people are forced to leave their homes, giving rise to congregations of refugees or externally or internally displaced persons.

Human-made hazard
A condition which may have disastrous consequences for a society. It derives from technological processes, human interactions with the environment, or relationships within and between communities.

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