ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has unveiled results of a fast-response survey that captured perspectives from the geoscience community on topics ranging from the impacts of natural hazards, higher education, research, and career pathways to the discipline's relevance to societal issues. The survey is part of AGI's Geoscience Program Adaptation to Natural Disruptive Events (GRANDE) study that is exploring how the geoscience community leverages natural hazards to expand educational and research opportunities.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) invites you to take part in the launch of an innovative and educational game designed to explore how natural hazard risks and perceptions influence individuals' choices of residence and occupation.
The "Natural Hazards Impact on Job Choice" game, part of AGI's Geoscience Program Adaptation to Natural Disruptive Events (GRANDE) research project, provides unique insights into decision-making processes related to natural hazards.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) invites participation in its new GRANDE (Geoscience Program Adaptation to Natural Disruptive Events) study. This multi-year initiative seeks to identify established best practices for geoscience academic departments relative to disruptive natural events. Focusing on preparedness, response, and recovery strategies, GRANDE addresses the impacts of natural disasters — such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods — on operations, teaching, and research in the geosciences.
To minimize the potential impact of natural hazards:
Encourage basic and applied research to strengthen community resilience by minimizing impacts on people and infrastructure. Geoscientists study the links between natural hazards and Earth processes and how natural hazards impact society. They identify hazard-prone areas through geologic mapping and LiDAR technology, and advise on transportation planning, land-use practices, and building codes, leading to more resilient communities.
On January 16, the House passed the Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 268) to provide over $12 billion in emergency funding for communities affected by earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters in 2018. Republicans repeatedly stressed the futility of moving forward any appropriations bill that does not include funding for the president’s border wall. Ultimately, this bill did not make it to a vote in the Senate as a short-term spending bill was agreed upon to re-open the government on January 25.
On December 11, President Donald Trump signed a bill to reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) through fiscal year 2023. The bill provides the first reauthorization of NEHRP since 2004, while clarifying the responsibilities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in carrying out the program. It also calls for a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s earthquake risk reduction strategy.
A bill to reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) through fiscal year 2023 passed the House on November 27 and now awaits final approval by the President. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018 (S. 1768) serves as a follow-up to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, which established NEHRP as the nation’s interagency platform for seismic hazards.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) held a briefing on October 2 to discuss the ongoing rollout of the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System. The briefing was held in conjunction with the release of a new USGS report on the status of and implementation plan for ShakeAlert. Effective implementation of the ShakeAlert System can reduce the impact of earthquakes, save lives, and protect property in earthquake-prone areas.
President Trump signed a long-sought reauthorization for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into law on October 5, which included a major set of reforms to address the rising costs of natural disasters in the U.S. and help communities improve their pre-disaster mitigation and recovery practices. The FAA reauthorization also contained supplemental appropriations for victims of Hurricane Florence and provisions of the Geospatial Data Act.
