This course combines state-of-the-art knowledge from geology, geophysics, geochemistry and other fields of earth sciences to understand the natural processes that have hazardous impacts on society. This course focusses on soil hazards, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, tropical cylcones, severe weather, bushfires and coastal hazards. Further, the impact of climate change on these hazards is discussed.

Lectures in this course are designed as an introduction to the topic and provide students with the scientific principles that underpin each of the major natural hazards. Practicals and one-day fieldtrips (free of charge) are used to illustrate and discuss aspects of each hazard and train hazard and risk assessment practise. Discussion sessions focus on recent scientific findings published in peer-reviewed journals and will train critical reading, thinking and analytical skills.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• analyse and explain the temporal and spatial distribution of the most devastating natural hazards throughout the world, (LO1)
• identify the most effective measures to monitor and mitigate these hazards, (LO2)
• design, undertake and communicate a basic hazard and risk assessment. (LO3)

-Written reports based on the practicals and performance in online quizzes (40%; LO 1-3)

-Final paper (in the format of a scientific paper) (40%; LO 1,2)

-Presentation of a scientific journal article (15%; LO 1,2)

-Participation in class discussion during lectures, student presentations of journal articles, field trips, laboratory practicals, (5%; LO 1-3)

One 3 hour lecture and one 2 hour practical/fieldtrip per week. Students are expected to spend an average of a further 5 hours per week on work related to the course.

EMSC6107

Basic knowledge of geoscience.

Keller and DeVecchio (2012) Natural Hazards: Earth's Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall.

Recommended preparatory reading: Press and Siever ‘Understanding Earth’ or Kump et al. ‘The Earth System’.