Chapter 1: Natural Hazards versus Disasters; Risk and Perception

Learning Objectives

• Explain the role of science in understanding, forecasting, predicting, and mitigating natural disasters

• Describe and map the risk of different natural disasters in North America;

• Explain the role of recent geologic, environmental, and climate history studies in forecasting the probability and scale of hazardous processes and future natural catastrophes or trends;

• Evaluate the implications of natural hazards information on traditional, historic, and current land uses and users; on governmental and quasi-public institutions and representatives; on individuals and corporations; as they relate to property rights and economic concerns;

• Evaluate the roles of the scientist, educator, public official, and individuals in addressing the ethical and social responsibilities or implications of natural hazards information.

• Devise strategies that the individual and institutions could adopt or pursue in order to reduce the risk of natural hazards.

Homework

Once you have finished the reading, you should be able to answer the questions below. Good Luck! You can complete the HW here in this side panel, or click open at the bottom to take you to another screen.