The difference between hazards, disasters, and catastrophes.

The difference between hazards, disasters, and catastrophes.

Events such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and fires are natural process that have been occurring on Earth’s surface since long before it was populated by humans. These natural processes became hazardous when human beings live or work in their path. We often use the terms hazard, disaster, or catastrophe to describe our interaction with these natural processes.

A Natural Hazard is a natural process and event that is a potential threat to human life and property. The process and events themselves are not a hazard but become so because of human use of the land.

A Disaster is a hazardous event that occurs over a limited time span in a defined area. Criteria for a natural disaster are. 

1. Ten or more people killed.

2. 100 or more people affected.

3. A state of emergency is declared.

4. International assistance is requested.

A Catastrophe is a massive disaster that requires significant expenditure of money and a long time for recovery to take place.

JAMAICA FACTS AND COUNTRY INFORMATION...

The indigenous people, the Taíno, called it Xaymaca in Arawakan, meaning the "Land of Wood and Water"

Jamaica was inhabited by Arawak Indians when Columbus explored it in 1494 and named it St. Iago. It remained under Spanish rule until 1655, when it became a British possession. Buccaneers operated from Port Royal, also the capital, until it fell into the sea in an earthquake in 1692. Disease decimated the Arawaks, so black slaves were imported to work on the sugar plantations. During the 17th and 18th centuries the British were consistently harassed by the Maroons, armed bands of freed slaves roaming the countryside. Abolition of the slave trade (1807), emancipation of the slaves (1833), and a drop in sugar pr

ices eventually led to a depression that resulted in an uprising in 1865. The following year Jamaica became a Crown colony, and conditions improved considerably. Introduction of bananas reduced dependence on sugar.

On May 5, 1953, Jamaica gained internal autonomy, and, in 1958, superheaded the organization of the West Indies Federation. After a referendum, Jamaica became independent on Aug. 6, 1962. Michael Manley, of the socialist People's National Party, became prime minister in 1972.

Jamaica is an island country and a part of the Commonwealth Caribbean. It is also the third largest island in the Greater Antilles as it covers an area of 10,911 square kilometers. The country also has a combined coastline of 1,022 kilometers.

The highest point in the country measures in at 2,256 meters above sea level and is known as the Blue Mountain Peak. The lowest point however rests at the mean sea level. Jamaica is an island that forms the arc of volcanic islands in the greater islands.

There are three main mountain ranges in the country, the Blue Mountains, John Crow Mountains and the Dry Harbour Mountains.  More than 2 thirds of the country is covered with a high limestone plateau. The Cockpit Country of the nation is place with deep gorges and fissures. The northeastern and southern coasts of the country are completely different from each other.

The former is continuously eroded by the ocean whereas the latter has more of fertile plains. The country has two distinctive climates in the low and high areas. Most of it is tropical but the rainfall is substantially higher in the mountainous regions.

Jamaica lies in the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean and because of this, the island sometimes suffers significant storm damage. Hurricanes Charlie and Gilber hit Jamaica directly in 1951 and 1988, respectively, causing major damage and many deaths. In the 2000s (decade), hurricanes Ivan, Dean and Gustav also brought severe weather to the island.

Among the variety of terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems are dry and wet limestone forests, rainforest, riparian woodland, wetlands, caves, rivers, seagrass beds and coral reefs. The authorities have recognized the tremendous significance and potential of the environment and have designated some of the more 'fertile' areas as 'protected'. In 1992, Jamaica's first marine park, covering nearly 15 square kilometres (5.8 sq mi), was established in Montego Bay. Portland Bight Protected Area was designated in 1999.

The following year Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park was created on roughly 300 square miles (780 km²) of wilderness, which supports thousands of tree and fern species and rare animals.