Readings for Spring Quarter, 2010

Week 1 - Introduction

Required Reading: Natural Hazards - Chapter 1

Optional Reading: This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics - US Geological Survey
Others TBA

Comments: This week we will cover some of the basic concepts surrounding natural disaasters, so be sure to read Chapter 1 and give yourself a solid background in the basic concepts. Towards the end of the week, we will also discuss the foundation for many "geology" based disasters - the Theory of Plate Tectonics. The optional reading provides excellent resources on this topic.

Week 2 - Volcanoes

Required Reading: Natural Hazards - Chapter 4

Optional Reading: xxx

Comments: Our next focus will be on volcanoes and volcanic hazards . We will cover the entire chapter, so be sure you understand all the major concepts associated with volcanoes.

Week 3 - Earth Week: Famine and Climate

Required Reading:
(4/20) Wikipedia Famine Page,
           Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food (USDA Report Summary -pdf file)

(4/22) Natural Hazards - Chapter 11, p. 357-78 (sections 11.3, 11.4., 11.5)

Optional Reading: xxx

Comments: Details These readings are part of the Earth Week Project (pdf file) due on Tuesday, April 27.

Week 4-6 - Earthquakes

Required Reading: Natural Hazards - Chapters 2 & 3

Optional Reading: TBA

Comments: The main focus of weeks 4-6 will be on Earthquakes. For the first two weeks we will concentrate on earthquake and tsunami science. We will then delve more into earthquake & tsunami policy - preparation and response. Therefore, be sure to read the first part of Chapter 2 and 3 for weeks 4 and 5 and the later parts of the chapters by Week 6.

In addition, we will be discussion tsunami in the context of earthquakes (event though there are other things that can trigger a tsunami).

Week 7-8 - Hurricanes, Storms and Coasts

Required Reading: Natural Hazards - Chapters 8, 9, 11

Optional Reading: TBA

Comments: We will be reading selections of these chapteres as we will cover some areas more than others. More details to be announced.

Week 9-10 - Floods and Landslides

Required Reading: Natural Hazards - Chapters 5 & 6

Optional Reading: TBA

Comments: More details to be announced.

Week 11 - Impacts and Extinctions

Required Reading: Natural Hazards - Chapters 13

Optional Reading: TBA

Comments: More details to be announced.