Three environmental hazards are being assessed for a coastal community. The risk score for each hazard is calculated as

$$\n R = P \times C \times w,\n$$

where $P$ is the annual probability of occurrence, $C$ the consequence rating (on a scale of 1-10), and $w$ a weighting factor reflecting vulnerability.

The data are:

| Hazard | $P$ | $C$ | $w$ |
|--------|------|------|------|
| Flood | 0.02 | 8 | 1.2 |
| Landslide | 0.01 | 9 | 1.0 |
| Industrial accident | 0.005 | 10 | 1.5 |

(a) Compute the risk score for each hazard and identify which has the highest risk.

(b) If a mitigation programme reduces the flood probability by 50 %, recalculate the flood risk score and state the new highest‑risk hazard.

Question

Three environmental hazards are being assessed for a coastal community. The risk score for each hazard is calculated as

$$\n R = P \times C \times w,\n$$

where $P$ is the annual probability of occurrence, $C$ the consequence rating (on a scale of 1-10), and $w$ a weighting factor reflecting vulnerability.

The data are:

| Hazard | $P$ | $C$ | $w$ |
|--------|------|------|------|
| Flood | 0.02 | 8 | 1.2 |
| Landslide | 0.01 | 9 | 1.0 |
| Industrial accident | 0.005 | 10 | 1.5 |

(a) Compute the risk score for each hazard and identify which has the highest risk.

(b) If a mitigation programme reduces the flood probability by 50 %, recalculate the flood risk score and state the new highest‑risk hazard.

Accepted Answer

Original scores - Flood: 0.192 (highest), Landslide: 0.090, Industrial: 0.075; After mitigation - Flood: 0.096 (still highest)

Gce Model Questions Vol1 2019 Geography Question 24

Answer Options

About This Question

Master the Exam!