As defined in the USGS Risk Plan (Circular 1444), "risk" is the potential for the full or partial loss of something of societal value due to current or proposed courses of action under conditions of uncertainty regarding real-time and future adverse events. A risk is an action that holds a chance of danger or failure. Although it's fun jump around on glaciers, the risk of falling down a crack into a freezing lake might deter you from ice climbing.

Understanding the Context