Earthquakes Glossary

geological hazard

Natural earth processes or phenomena, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation. Geological hazard includes internal earth processes or tectonic origin, such as earthquakes, geological fault activity, tsunamis, volcanic activity and emissions as well as external processes such as mass movements: landslides, rockslides, rock falls or avalanches, surfaces collapses, subsidence and lahars, debris and mud flows. Geological hazards can be single, sequential or combined in their origin and effects.