natural hazards

EARTH: Waves of Disaster: Lessons from Japan and New Zealand

On Feb. 22, a magnitude-6.1 earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand, killing nearly 200 people and causing $12 billion in damage. About three weeks later, a massive magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck northern Honshu, Japan. The quake and tsunami killed about 30,000 people and caused an estimated $310 billion in damage. Both events are stark reminders of human vulnerability to natural disasters and provide a harsh reality check: Even technologically advanced countries with modern building codes are not immune from earthquake disasters.

AGI Publishes Living with Unstable Ground

Many ongoing natural processes and human activities can displace the ground under our homes and communities at considerable economic cost and human suffering. The best solutions to these unstable ground problems are based on awareness of where and how they occur. Living with Unstable Ground, written by Dr. Thomas L. Holzer of the U.S. Geological Survey, explains how soil types, slope movements, catastrophic collapses, and regional ground movement affect communities and how to mitigate these disruptive, dangerous, and costly problems.

Earthquake Briefing on Capitol Hill

About 75 million Americans in 39 states face a significant risk from a strong earthquake. Because of this significant risk, the Congressional Hazards Caucus Coalition will sponsor an earthquake hazards briefing Tuesday, September 20 at 3:00 pm, in room 2325 of the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill.

Hurricane Information and Educational Tools Available

The American Geological Institute (AGI), as an active member of the Congressional Hazards Caucus Coalition, helps to provide resources on the mitigation and response to natural hazards. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, AGI would like to remind the public of the availability of information and educational tools related to understanding the causes and effects of hurricanes as well as preparing for and responding these events.

Hurricane Hazard Briefing on Capitol Hill

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting at least seven Atlantic hurricanes this year, with as many as five matching Ivan's destructive force. In light of the hurricane season predictions, the Congressional Hazards Caucus Coalition will sponsor two one-hour briefings on "Hurricanes: Lessons Learned to Reduce Future Risk," on Capitol Hill, Monday July 11, 2005.

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