NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS - CORS 220 (HONS)

 

Instructor: Simon Kattenhorn (Geological Sciences)

Fall Semester 2010: TR 9.30  - 10.45 a.m., Mines 306

 

Course Summary

 

This course will examine the types, frequency, geographic distribution, and current scientific understanding of different types of natural hazards, including geological, meteorological, and extraterrestrial hazards. Emphasis will be placed on how we can use scientific knowledge for appropriate disaster preparedness and hazards mitigation. Course content includes case examples of natural disasters in the context of long-term social, political and economic impacts.

 

Course Goals

 

Natural disasters are a fact of everyday life. On almost any day, international news bulletins tell of some disaster that has befallen a remote location on Earth. Sometimes the disasters are on our doorstep. Most places in the world are at some risk from what nature can impart, whether it be geologic hazards (e.g., earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, and sinkholes), weather and climate hazards (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, lightning strikes, wildfires, heat waves, drought, and global warming); and extraterrestrial hazards (e.g., meteorite impacts, solar flares, and gamma ray bursts).

 

Disasters are also among the few events on Earth that unite humans. They often emphasize our innate desire to reach out and help our fellow people. Unfortunately, the aid is often too little too late or is provided in a disorganized or ineffective manner (e.g., Haiti earthquake relief in 2010). More advantageous is advanced planning, forethought, informed decision-making, and dissemination of information through education (i.e., disaster preparedness). In order to be sufficiently prepared for any disaster, we must understand the science behind the hazard itself.

 

This course will examine the numerous types of natural hazards that people must face. It will examine the potential effects of natural hazards on the landscape of the Earth in general, as well as on populated areas specifically, through numerous case studies. It will illustrate both the short-term and long-term hardships and consequences of natural disasters on the social, economic, and political arenas. It will also highlight those locations (particularly using examples in the U.S.A.) where disasters are likely to occur in the future, scientific analyses of the nature of the hazards involved, and how we can prepare for them in such a way so as to minimize the damage and number of casualties.

 

Prerequisites

 

There are no prerequisites for this course, although a background in Geol 101 or high school earth science will be helpful.

 

Course Logistics

 

Instructor: Simon Kattenhorn (please call me Simon)

I am an Associate Professor in the Dept. of Geological Sciences. My office is in McClure 303B. McClure is wheelchair accessible from all entrances and has two elevators (NW and SW corners).

 

Office hours: Wednesdays from 3 - 4 p.m. Please feel free to make an appointment to see me another time if this is not convenient for you, or just stop by my office to see if IÕm there. Office hours can be used for general discussion, to borrow materials, or to clarify issues from class. Everyone is required to utilize the office hours at least once per semester.

 

Office phone: 5-5063 from on campus (else 208-885-5063). I have voice mail - if you would like me to call you back, leave your name, telephone number and a convenient time to call you and I will attempt to return your call.

 

Email: simkat@uidaho.edu (this is the most efficient way to get a hold of me).

 

Mailbox: if you wish to leave items in my mailbox, it is in the room directly opposite the Geological Sciences departmental office (Mines 322).

 

FAX: you can FAX materials to me at (208) 885-5724. Be sure to include my name on the FAX.

 

Course Website: http://www.uidaho.edu/~simkat/cors220.html

From here, you will be able to download any electronic class handouts and to access links to homework assignments, quizzes, news stories, information about natural hazards, daily updates on current earthquake activity around the world, and weekly updates on volcanic activity.

 

Required textbook:           Natural Hazards and Disasters, 3rd Ed. (available in the UI bookstore early Sep.)

                                                      Donald Hyndman and David Hyndman

                                                      Brooks/Cole – Cengage publishers, 2010

 

Additional Reading:    will be announced in class and on the course website

 

 

Assignments:

 

1)  In-class discussion and group exercises.

2)  Weekly online quizzes posted on Blackboard (www.blackboard.uidaho.edu).

3)  Homework assignments (approximately every other week), including one group project. These are written reports are there will be emphasis on grammar and writing style.

4)  Investigative mini-homeworks. These will be assigned often throughout the semester and will either require emailed responses or in-class discussions to present materials. They will mostly involve investigating natural disaster events, government policy or agencies, and disaster relief analysis.

5)  Note: there are no exams in this class; however, there will be a comprehensive final quiz on Blackboard.

 

 

Grading

 

Quizzes:                                                                   40%

Written report homework exercises:                   35%

Investigative mini-homeworks:             25%

Bonus:                                  based on attendance, in-class participation effort, and extra-credit options