Extreme natural hazards and their impacts
Objective
The Union Commission on Geophysical Risk and Sustainability (GeoRisk) was established by the IUGG Bureau in August 2000 to study the interaction between hazards, their likelihood and their wider social consequences as a result of the vulnerability of societies. There is a growing interest and relevance in the interaction between science and society reflected in the economic, social and public-policy aspects of hazards. This distinction is expressed by the word 'risk' (which incorporates both hazards, their consequences and their likelihood), which covers a wider scope than the word 'hazard'. The main difference between geophysical hazard and geophysical risk is that consideration of the risk involves some consideration of the people who are at risk. GeoRisk is maintained by all IUGG Associations.
The following scientific meetings on hazards, risks and sustainability were organized by GeoRisk in the past: Budapest (Hungary, 2002), Stockholm (Sweden, 2004), Hyderabad (India, 2004), Baku (Azerbaijan, 2005), Munich (Germany, 2006), Perugia (Italy, 2007), Barcelona (2008), Oslo (2009), Turin (2010), Iguassu (2010), Pretoria (2011), Melbourne (2011).
In recent years, North America and adjoining regions have witnessed numerous extreme natural hazards, such as hurricanes, floods, forest fires, droughts, tornados, volcanoes and the region is also vulnerable for tsunami and earthquakes.
GeoRisk commission has proposed to organize its First Conference at Chapman University during December 11-14, 2012. It is proposed to invite scientists from developing countries and countries which are most vulnerable to various types of natural hazards or faced extreme events in recent years. Oral and Poster papers on various aspects of natural hazards will be presented in four days conference. The proposed conference will help scientists to exchange scientific knowledge about different natural hazards which are occurring different parts of the world with different geological and geophysical environment.
Sessions
• Session I: Some of Major Recent Earthquake and Tsunami events
• Session II: Recent Volcanic events
• Session III: Connection between Extreme Climate and Natural Hazards
• Session IV: Early Warning of Natural Hazards
• Session V: Recent Satellite sensors for Monitoring Natural Hazards
• Session VI: Disasters Management in Developing Countries
• Session VII: Natural Hazards and Infrastructures
• Session VIII: Natural Hazards Mitigations