Geologic Time Scale

Relative Dating Absolute Dating

Risk is the potential of gaining or

losing something of value. Values can be
gained or lost when taking risk resulting
Risk from a given action or inaction, foreseen or
unforeseen. Risk can also be defined as
the intentional interaction with
uncertainty.

Hazards can be dormant or

potential, with only a theoretical
probability of harm. An event that is
caused by interaction with a hazard is
called an incident. The likely severity of
Hazard the undesirable consequences of an
incident associated with a hazard,
combined with the probability of this
occurring, constitute the associated risk. If
there is no possibility of a hazard
contributing towards an incident,
there is no risk.

A disaster is a serious disruption,

occurring over a relatively short time, of
Disaster the functioning of a community or a society
involving widespread human, material,
economic or environmental loss and
impacts

Vulnerability refers to the inability to

withstand the effects of a hostile
environment. A window of vulnerability is a
Vulnerability time frame within which defensive
measures are diminished, compromised or
lacking.

Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss

of life and property by lessening the
impact of disasters. In order for mitigation
to be effective we need to take action
Mitigation now—before the next disaster—to reduce
human and financial consequences later
(analyzing risk, reducing risk, and
insuring against risk).