Definitions

(A-E)   (F-K)   (L-P)  (Q-U)  (V-Z)

Aa

Access survey. The identification of disaster-caused bottlenecks that will prevent or hamper search and rescue operations or delay other response activities. The survey would include the identification of landslides closing roads and the inspection of bridges to ensure that they can be crossed following an earthquake or a flood. See Disaster Assessment

Accountability. The structuring of programs to increase control and participation by persons in the affected community.

After-shock. Continued shaking after a sizable earthquake, which may be as powerful as ordinary shocks. A large after-shock may originate closer to a center of population and cause more damage than the main earthquake.

area of responsibility.   A defined area of land in which responsibility is specifically assigned to the commander of the area for the development and maintenance of installations, control of movement, and the conduct of tactical operations involving troops under the commanderís control, along with parallel authority to exercise these functions. (Joint Pub 1-02)

circle of fires. The circum-Pacific belt of active volcano activity. Small-scale maps showing active volcanoes and epicenters of large earthquakes illustrate a similar distribution.

concept plan.   An operation plan in concept format. Also called CONPLAN. See also operation plan. (Joint Pub 1-02)

coping mechanism. Those means by which societies, unassisted from the outside, meet relief and recovery needs, and adjust to future disaster risk.

crimping operations.   The process of placing a detonator onto a time fuze to initiate an explosive device.

critical facilities. Those structures critical to the operation of a community and the key installations of the economic sector. Examples are hospitals, roads and railways, air strips, fuel storage depots, food storage facilities, water supply systems, government administrative buildings, central data processing centers, and police stations.

Dd

damage assesment.The determination of the extent of physical damage to buildings and manmade structures. Two types of damage assessment are normally carried out. The first is to determine the gross damage to a community so that reconstruction planning can determine the aid level required. The second is a detailed structural analysis of typical buildings to determine the causes of failure and methods for modifying the structures so that during reconstruction, suitable steps can be taken to make the building safer. See Disaster Assessment.

DAST. An acronym for Disaster Assessment Teams. DAST units are provided by the United States Army to assist in the initial disaster assessment.

DEC. An acronym for Disasters Emergency Committee. DEC is the main coordinating body for the largest British charities. Members include the British Red Cross, CAFOD (Catholic Fund for Overseas Development), Christian Aid, OXFAM, Save the Children Fund, and War on Want.

demining operations.   Any activity or operation related to humanitarian demining executed in support of the national HQ or NDO.

demolition.   The destruction of structures, facilities, or material with fire, water, explosives, or other means. This publication deals exclusively with explosive demolition as applied to mine clearance operations.

detonating cord.   A flexible fabric tube containing a high explosive designed to transmit the detonation wave. (Joint Pub 1-02)

detonating cord connector.   A lead of det cord that initiates another when a good contact is between them. If junction clips or det cord connectors are not available, connections are to be made using a girth hitch with an extra turn.

detonating cord fuzing system.   A firing system that uses a det cord to transmit the shock wave from the means of initiation to the explosive charge. All det cord firing systems used in clearance operations are to be fired by nonelectric means. The det cord firing system is used in the line main.

detonator.   A device containing a sensitive explosive intended to produce a detonation wave. (Joint Pub 1-02)

disaster Assessment. Surveys carried out to determine the effects of disaster on a community and a society. Disaster assessments has three sub-activities: Needs assessment, damage assessment and access survey.

disaster "continuum". A conceptual framework for depicting disasters and showing how one phase leads into the next.

disaster-resistant construction. Used to denote the degree to which a structure can be made more resistant (or safe) to certain natural phenomena. The term recognized that no building can be made totally safe, but that certain steps can be taken to improve performance, or survivability.

disaster response. Refers to those activities that occur in the aftermath of a disaster to assist disaster victims and to rehabilitate or reconstruct the physical structures of the society.

disaster spectrum. A means of visualizing disasters, showing how pre-disaster and post-disaster activities relate to each other.

earthquake focus. The point of first release of the energy that causes an earthquake.

epicenter. The point on the earth's surface that lies directly above the focus of an earthquake.

explosive ordnance.   All munitions containing explosives, nuclear fission or fusion materials and biological and chemical agents. They include bombs and warheads; guided and ballistic missiles; artillery, mortar, rocket, and small arms ammunition; all mines, torpedoes, and depth charges; demolition charges; pyrotechnics; clusters and dispensers; cartridge and propellant actuated devices; electro-explosive devices; clandestine and improvised explosive devices; and all similar or related items or components explosive in nature. (Joint Pub 1-02)

explosive ordnance disposal.   The detection, identification, on-site evaluation, rendering safe, recovery, and final disposal of unexploded explosive ordnance. It may also include explosive ordnance which has become hazardous by damage or deterioration. (Joint Pub 1-02)

 Ff

fault. The point on the earth's surface that lies directly above the focus of an earthquake.

fault zone. A zone thousands of meters wide, consisting of numerous interlacing small faults. Earthquakes tend to occur near fault zones.

firing system.   The system placed between the initiation system and the charge.

foreign internal defense.   participation by civilian and military agencies of a government in any of the action programs taken by another government to free and protect its society from subversion, lawlessness, and insurgency. (Joint Pub 1-02)

foreign military financing.   The portion of U.S. Security assistance authorized by the Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1961. This assistance differs from foreign military sales in that the recipient does not provide reimbursement. In effect, articles provided under this authorization are donated to the HN.

foreign military sales.   That portion of United States security assistance authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, as amended. This assistance differs from the Military Assistance Program and the International Military Education and Training Program in that the recipient provides reimbursement for defense articles and services transferred. (Joint Pub 1-02)

Hh

hazard. A threatening event in nature such as an earthquake. Hazards are of two types, primary and secondary. A primary hazard disrupts human settlements. A secondary hazard occurs in the aftermath of a primary hazard and contributes to further suffering or loss.

hazard mapping. The process of establishing geographically where certain phenomena re likely to pose a threat to human settlements. Hazard maps identify areas that are subject to natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes, and areas that could be threatened by manmade disasters. For example: areas surrounding nuclear power plants, chemical disposal sites, or areas (such as refineries) subject to threat from explosion or fire.

host nation.   A nation which receives the forces and/or supplies of allied nations and/or NATO organizations to be located on, to operate in, or to transit through its territory. (Joint Pub 1-02)

housing modifidaction. The process of altering the design of a structure before it is built to make it more disaster-resistant.

humanitarian assistance.   Programs conducted to relieve or reduce the results of natural or manmade disasters or other endemic conditions such as human pain, disease, hunger, or privation that might present a serious threat to life or that can result in great damage to or loss of property. Humanitarian assistance provided by U.S. Forces is limited in scope and duration. The assistance provided is designed to supplement or complement the efforts of the host nation civil authorities or agencies that may have the primary responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance. (Joint Pub 1-02)

humanitarian demining operations.   Any activity or operation related to humanitarian demining executed in support of an HN approved for support in the U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program.

Ii

intensity. A subjective measure of the force of an earthquake at a particular place as determined by its effects on persons, structures, and earth materials. Intensity is a measure of effects as contrasted with magnitude, which is a measure of energy. The principal scale used in the U.S. today is the Modified Mercalli, 1956 version.

Isoseismals. Map contours drawn to define limits of estimated intensity of shaking for a given earthquake.

landslides. Mass movement or sliding of hillsides caused by the ground shaking of earthquakes.

life line. Those facilities that are crucial to life support and that should receive high priority for protection or restoration following disasters. Lifelines include water systems, electrical systems, gas systems and transportation networks.

line main.   A firing system consisting of a main line. Any number of branch lines can be connected to a main line, but only one branch line is to be connected to a main line at any point.

liquefaction. Transformation of a granular material (soil) from a solid state into a liquefied state as a consequence of increased pore-water pressure induced by earthquakes.

 Mm

magnitude. A measure of earthquake size that describes the amount of energy released.

Mercali Scale. A rating scale for classifying the degree of ground shaking at a specific location. The scale is graded by roman numerals from I to XII.

microzonation. Risk mapping on a very small scale. Within any particular area, there are numerous geological variations that make certain areas safer or more hazardous than others. Microzonation delineates each of these areas so that communities can select the safest possible sites for development or the location of critical facilities.

mine.   In land mine warfare, an explosive or other material, normally encased, designed to destroy or damage ground vehicles, boats, or aircraft, or designed to wound, kill, or otherwise incapacitate personnel. It may be detonated by the action of its victim, by the passage of time, or by controlled means. (Joint Pub 1-02)

mine awareness operations.   Operations designed to provide safety and public information to the HN populace with the intent to promote threat identification and avoidance.

mine clearance.   The process of removing all mines from a route or an area. (Joint Pub 1-02)

mine countermeasures.   All methods for preventing or reducing damage or danger from mines. (Joint Pub 1-02)

mined area.   An area declared dangerous due to the presence or suspected presence of mines. (Joint Pub 1-02)

mine disposal.   The operation by suitably qualified personnel designed to render safe, neutralize, recover, remove, or destroy mines. (Joint Pub 1-02)

minefield.   In land warfare, an area of ground containing mines laid with or without a pattern. (Joint Pub 1-02)

minefield lane.   A marked lane, unmined or cleared of mines, leading through a minefield. (Joint Pub 1-02)

minefield survey.   A detailed report that provides information on a suspected minefield, including its location, the extent of the mine problem identified, and the way the area is marked.

minehunting.   Employment of sensor and neutralization systems, whether air, surface, or subsurface, to locate and dispose of individual mines. Minehunting is conducted to eliminate mines in a known field when sweeping is not feasible or desirable or to verify the presence or absence of mines in a given area. (Joint Pub 1-02)

minesweeping.   The technique of clearing mines using either mechanical, ex-plosive, or influence sweep equipment. Mechanical sweeping removes, disturbs, or otherwise neutralizes the mine; explosive sweeping causes sympathetic detonations in, damages, or displaces the mine; and influence sweeping produces either the acoustic and/or magnetic influence required to detonate the mine. (Joint Pub 1-02)

mitigation. The taking of actions that reduce the harmful effects of a disaster. Mitigation accepts the occurrence of extreme natural phenomena, but attempts to limit both human and property loss.

monitoring. Surveys of on-going activities to determine their progress and effectiveness

National Demining Office.   A term that describes the HN national demining HQ or the entire demining organization for that country.

needs assessment. The determination of the needs of the victims. These are usually divided into immediate and long-term needs.

 Oo

pre-disaster normal. The conditions, life-style, and standard of living that exist prior to disaster impact. An understanding of the pre-disaster normal is essential in the formulation of emergency programs.

pre-disaster planning. The process of planning actions that will prevent, mitigate, or prepare for a disaster. Pre-disaster planning includes the tasks of disaster prevention, disaster mitigation and disaster preparedness.

preparedness. The attempt to limit the impact of a disaster by structuring the response and affecting a quick and orderly reaction to the disaster. Preparedness is unique among all pre-disaster planning activities in that it addresses actions in both the pre-disaster phase, for example, warning and evacuation, as well as the post-disaster phase.

prevention. Activities to prevent a natural phenomenon or a potential hazard from having harmful effects on either persons or property. Disaster prevention includes such activities as cloud seeding to control meteorological patterns, the construction of dams or dikes to prevent flooding and attempts to reduce tectonic tension by such measures as pumping water in to earthquake faults.

Qq

"quick and dirty programs". Programs designed to provide a quick-response with massive material aid. The objective of this approach is to saturate an area with relief items in order to create a high impact with as little "entanglement" as possible. The prime criterion of this type of program is speed of delivery. Quick and dirty programs usually have very little long-term effects on recovery.

Rr

remote sensing. The acquisition of information or measurement of some property of an object by a recording device that is not in physical or intimate contact with the objects under study.

return period. The time period (years) in which there is a good statistical probability that an earthquake of a certain magnitude or a hurricane will recur.

Richter Magnitude Scales. A measure of earthquake size that describes the amount of energy released. The measure is determined by taking the common logarithm (base 10) of the largest ground motion observed during the arrival of a P-wave or seismic surface wave and applying a standard correction for distance to the epicenter.

risk. The relative degree of probability that a hazardous event will occur. An active fault zone, for example, would be an area of high risk.

risk mapping. The process of identifying high-risk areas. This is done by correlating a hazard, such as an earthquake, to the terrain and to the probability that such an event will occur. The results of these analyses are usually presented in the form of risk maps, which show the type and degree of hazard represented by a particular natural phenomenon at a given geographic location. Risk mapping is usually the first step in vulnerability reduction.

Ss

SAR.  see Search and Rescue

search and rescue (SAR). The first activities normally conducted following a disaster, the intent being to locate disaster victims and to ensure their physical safety. SAR activities can include locating victims trapped in collapsed structures, removing victims from perilous locations surrounded or threatened by flood waters, or evacuating families or even whole communities from areas subjected to secondary effects of disasters.

seismic. Pertaining to earthquake activities.

seismicity. The worldwide or local distribution of earthquakes in space and time; a general term for the number of earthquakes in a unit of time, or for a relative earthquake activity.

surveillance. An epidemiological survey or the health monitoring of the affected community.

Tt

tectonic. The study of earth's broad structural features.

time fuze.   A fuze that contains a graduated time element to regulate the time interval after which the fuze will function. (Joint Pub 1-02)

tsunami. A sea wave produced by large-area displacements of the ocean bottom, the result of an earthquake or volcanic activity.

Uu

 unexploded explosive ordnance.   Explosive ordnance that has been primed, fuzed, armed, or otherwise prepared for action and has been fired, dropped, launched, projected, or placed in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to operations, installations, personnel, or material and remains unexploded either by malfunction or design or for any other cause. (Joint Pub 1-02)

Vv

vulnerability. A condition wherein human settlements or buildings are threatened by virtue of their proximity to a hazard, the quality of their construction, or both.