Disaster risk

Disaster risk is a product of hazard and vulnerability. While a hazard is a phenomenon (such as an earthquake or a cyclone) which has the potential to cause disruption or damage to cultural property, vulnerability is the susceptibility or exposure of cultural property to the hazard. Whereas a hazard is the external source of a disaster, vulnerability is the inherent weakness of the heritage property (due to its location or its specific characteristics). It is important to bear in mind that hazards such as earthquakes can trigger disasters although they are not disasters in themselves.

Source(s): Managing Disaster Risks for World Heritage