Natural Hazards (U02515)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : GEO-2-NATHAZ

The restlessness of our planet in a consequence of dynamic processes that operate over time both within it, on its surface and in its atmosphere. The dynamic character of the Earth System is not only responsible for our own existence, but also for inevitable natural hazards. This course will introduce the Earth System as a basis for characterising and understanding natural hazards, their causes and consequences. The major types of natural hazard will be described, analysed and assessed in terms of their underlying causes as well as their socio-economic and environmental impacts. This Course capitalises on natural synergies between subsurface, surface and human dimensions of the Earth System. Hazards to be considered will include earthquakes and tsunamis, volcanic hazards (local, regional and global scale), meteorological hazards (hurricanes, tornados, dust storms, El Nino, flooding and coastal erosion), topographic hazards such as collapse of unstable slopes, hazards arising from climate change, and hazards associated with bolide impacts. The evidence for past natural catastrophes and hazards, recorded in natural archives, will be described along with remote sensing methods for documenting current hazards and hazard risk. The principles and application of risk assessment and analysis will be considered with respect to case studies. The course will conclude with an overview of human settlement, planning and policy in relation to natural hazards in the light of their socio-economic impacts. The Course comprises 20 lectures supplemented by a series of laboratory / multimedia / tutorial and feedback classes, together with a directed programme of reading. The Course is assessed by degree examination together with an essay and a class exercise.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : None.

? Co-requisites : None.

? Costs : None.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Earth Science, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Other subject areas

Environmental Courses, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 2nd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	10:00	10:50	KB
Lecture	Thursday	10:00	10:50	KB

1 of the following 2 classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Laboratory	Fr	09:00	09:50	KB
Laboratory	Fr	14:00	14:50	Other

1 of the following 2 classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Laboratory	Fr	11:10	12:00	KB
Laboratory	Fr	15:00	15:50	Other

? Additional Class Information : Fri 09.00-10.00 or 1110-1200 (practical / multimedia class / tutorial-seminar or feedback sessions).
The Friday classes will be split only on some weeks.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Course, students will:
1. Recognise, define and be able to describe the variety and diversity of natural hazards that affect the Earth's surface environments;
2. Understand and be able to explain in simple terms the relationships between geohazards (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanism, slope collapse),active tectonic processes expressed on the Earth's surface, and underlying processes in the Earth;
3. Understand and be able to explain in simple terms the relationships between meteorological hazards and the underlying physical processes operating in the atmosphere;
4. Appreciate the incidence and significance of impacts as hazards both at present and in the past;
5. Understand and be able to interpret historical records and remote sensing present-day images in terms of natural hazard incidence and risk;
6. Understand the basic principles of risk and be able to apply these to assess the risk associated with specific types of natural hazard, in time and space;
7. Appreciate the relationships between human settlement, natural hazards and risk and be able to provide an informed view on how these may be reflected in policy and planning.

Assessment Information

Lectures, practicals and project work. Continuous assessment through project work, written-up practical assignments and short class tests. Degree exam in summer diet.