Risk is the possibility of harm from natural hazards. The risk is influenced by hazard type and people’s vulnerability. Poorer people face higher risk due to limited recovery resources, while well-prepared regions recover faster.
FIGURE6 Australia’s natural hazards and disasters
Thelma 1998
Tracy 1974
Teresa 1992
Orson 1989
Kathy 1984
Chloe 1995
Darwin
Les 1998
Vance 1999
Winifred 1984
Gul f of Carpentaria
Barry 1996
Annette 1994
Katherine 1998, 2006
Ian 1992
Rona 1999
Ellie 2009
Bobby 1995
Aivu 1989
Ului 2010
Charlotte 2009
Lake Argyle
Glenda 2006
Cairns 1999
Steve 2000
Cairns Innisfail
Larry 2006
Tennant Creek
Lena 1983
Central North Queensland 2009
Lake Gregory
P A C I F I C
Lake Mackay
O C E A N
Pilbara 1980
Alice Springs
Lake Disappointment
Lake Amadeus
Nancy 1990
Lake Yamma Yamma
Roma 2010
Gympie 1999
Charleville 1990, 2010
Lake Carnegie
Dalby 1981
Brisbane
Lake Eyre
St George 2010
Brisbane 1974
Lake Austin
Lennox Head 2010
Lake Carey
Lake
Lismore 2005
Frome
Lake Barlee
Lake Torrens
Gunnedah 2000
I N D I A N
Kalgoorlie 2010
Lake Gairdner
Nyngan 1990
Coffs Harbour 2009
Blue Mountains 1994 Newcastle 1989
Perth
Great Australian Bi ght
O C E A N
Ash Wednesday 1983
Sydney
Adelaide
Adelaide 2010
Canberra 2003
Kangaroo Island
Canberra
Wangaratta 1993
Ash Wednesday 1983
Gippsland 1998
Dandenongs 1997
Ash Wednesday 1983 Black Saturday 2009
Melbourne
Bass Strait
King Island
Furneaux Group
0
250 500 km
Lake Pedder
Hobart
Cyclones Approximate number of coastal crossings since 1959 6 to 10
Severe storms
Areas subject to forest, grass and
At least one recorded severe thunderstorm (non-tornadic)
At least one recorded tornado
11 to 16
At least one severe thunderstorm per year (on average) At least one severe thunderstorm per year (on average) and at least one recorded tornado
Major cyclone
Floods
Earthquakes
Risk area
(greater frequency)
Major earthquake
Source: MAPgraphics Pty Ltd, Brisbane
SkillBuilder discussion Concluding and decision-making 1. Look at FIGURE6 . Which parts of Australia are most affected by cyclones on the map? 2. How many major floods occurred in New South Wales from 1920 to 2010? 3. Which Australian areas are most at risk of severe storms?
TOPIC9 Water in the world 295
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