Natural Hazards is a core part of GCSE Geography. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.
Key concepts
Hazard vs DisasterHazard is natural threat (volcano); disaster is realised damage to humans; risk depends on exposure and vulnerability.
Park's Disaster Response CurveStages following disaster: stable, deteriorating, search-rescue, relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction; varies by HIC/LIC.
Tropical StormsHurricanes (Atlantic), typhoons (Pacific), cyclones (Indian Ocean); form over 27 degrees C ocean; Saffir-Simpson scale 1-5.
DroughtProlonged below-average rainfall; can be meteorological, agricultural or hydrological; East Africa 2011 famine, California 2012-17.
WildfiresUncontrolled vegetation fires; intensified by climate change; Australia 2019-20 burnt 18 million hectares, killed 1 billion animals.
Risk EquationRisk = hazard frequency x population x vulnerability; reducing vulnerability through preparation cuts disaster impact.
Tropical stormIntense low-pressure system with high winds and heavy rain.
Warm seaForms over sea at least 27 degrees C and 50 m deep.
Latitude bandForms between 5 and 30 degrees of the Equator for Coriolis effect.
Low wind shearSteady winds from surface to top let the storm grow tall.
EyeCalm central core surrounded by violent eyewall winds.
Storm surgeWall of seawater pushed onshore, often the biggest killer. 🌀
Typhoon HaiyanNovember 2013 Category 5 storm hit the central Philippines (LIC/NEE).
Haiyan deathsOver 6,300 people killed and around 4 million displaced.
Common mistakes to avoid
Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:
Where do most earthquakes and volcanoes occur?✗ Randomly, anywhere on Earth. ✓ At plate boundaries, where tectonic plates meet and move.
Why do tropical cyclones only form over warm tropical oceans?✗ Hurricanes form wherever there are strong winds over the sea. ✓ They need sea surface temperatures above ~27 degrees C to a depth of 50m to provide energy through evaporation, plus enough Coriolis effect (away from the equator) to spin.
Why are tropical rainforest soils typically infertile?✗ Because so much vegetation grows there, the soil must be fertile. ✓ Heavy rainfall leaches nutrients, and most nutrients are stored in living biomass and rapidly recycled — the soil itself holds very little.
Why does the tropical rainforest have distinct vertical layers?✗ Rainforest layers exist because different animals live at different heights. ✓ Competition for light: emergents (40m+), canopy (capturing most light), understorey (shade-tolerant) and forest floor (sparse vegetation due to low light) — each adapted to its light level.
What minimum sea surface temperature is needed for tropical storms?✗ 20 degrees C ✓ 27 degrees C
Practise Natural Hazards — free games
Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:
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