What is the difference between an environmental hazard and a disaster?

A hazard is a potential threat while a disaster is actual severe damage

The governing concept is the distinction among hazard, exposure, vulnerability and disaster. A hazard is a potentially damaging event, condition or process, such as a flood, earthquake or toxic release. It does not automatically become a disaster merely because it exists. When a hazardous event affects exposed and vulnerable people, infrastructure or livelihoods and produces serious disruption and losses beyond normal coping capacity, it may be classified as a disaster. Therefore option A is the best answer. Hazards and disasters are related but not identical; disasters can involve natural, technological or human-induced causes, and the level of vulnerability strongly influences the outcome. Option C is consequently too narrow.

This is a Class 11 Geography question. Chapter: Natural Hazards and Disasters. Topic: Causes, consequences, and mitigation strategies for each disaster.