GEOL 3481

Natural Hazards and Society

Natural hazards include ground shaking from earthquakes, ash fall from volcanic eruptions, floods, and high winds and storm surge from hurricanes, etc. The cost of these and other hazards in terms of monetary losses and number of fatalities continues to escalate on a world scale. This course examines the characteristics of natural hazards; how to reduce their impacts through mitigation; preparedness, response, and recovery activities; effective warning systems; and the social, psychological, and political factors that influence risk and resilience.

Units: 3.0