Which statement correctly defines hazard mapping?

• A. Hazard mapping shows the probability and intensity of hazard
• B. Hazard mapping shows historical disasters only
• C. Hazard mapping estimates economic losses
• D. Hazard mapping equals risk mapping

Answer: (C)

Hazard mapping focuses on where hazards can occur and how strong their effects could be. A hazard map illustrates the probability of a hazard in different places and the expected intensity or magnitude if it happens. This lets planners identify areas at higher risk from a given hazard and anticipate potential impacts, independent of what is built there or how people are affected.

Economic losses are not the direct product of hazard mapping alone. Estimating losses requires considering exposure (what is in the area) and vulnerability (how badly those assets would be affected). That broader assessment is called risk mapping, which combines hazard, exposure, and vulnerability to project potential damage and losses. Hazard mapping is a component of risk assessment, not a standalone estimate of economic losses. Hazard maps aren’t limited to historical disasters either—they’re used to model future hazard scenarios based on known behavior of the hazard.

So the statement that hazard mapping estimates economic losses isn’t correct because that falls under risk mapping, which adds the effects of what’s present and how susceptible it is to damage.