Definition
Risk assessment is a fundamental step in the management and reduction of risks. Risk assessments require inputs from experts in different hazard-related fields, and in the case of risks associated to geologic hazards, will involve engineering geologists in this process. Risk assessments also involve assessing vulnerabilities and finally the potential losses that may occur, as well as their associated likelihood. The risk assessment process therefore integrates multidisciplinary efforts, aiming to produce a result that is useful for decision-making on how to manage the risk.
Risk, Hazard, and Vulnerability
Risk can be broadly defined as the possibility of the potential loss of something of value. Assessing the risk involves identifying, describing, and, when possible, measuring the potential for such loss. The loss could be of human lives, public or private property, and other less tangible societal...
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Escobar-Wolf, R., Bouali, E.H., Oommen, T. (2016). Risk Assessment. In: Bobrowsky, P., Marker, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Engineering Geology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12127-7_239-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12127-7_239-1
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