GEOG 3310

Some natural environmental processes, such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and forest fires can become dangerous for humans and human infrastructure if they happen in populated areas. We define them as hazards only when they pose a threat to human interests and disasters when their impact is significant in either casualties, economic impacts, or both. Climate change has led to a significant increase in some of these events, such as wildfires, hurricanes, or floods. Students will examine the natural environmental processes behind these hazards, their potential impacts on human interests, and their management and mitigation. They will look at historical and recent events and contrast their impacts between rich and poor countries and regions.