Natural Hazards and Catastrophes
Patrick Pringle, Assoc. Professor of Earth Science
Learning Abilities Themes adopted by
Centralia College
This class is an
examination of earth materials and earth processes through the study of natural
disasters and catastrophes: earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods,
tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and meteorite impacts. It includes
as examination of causes, effects on human populations and the environment;
preparedness, prediction and forecasting aspects; mitigation of risks, and case
studies.
This
course is designed to use extreme natural events to examine how the scientific
process is used to understand and evaluate hazardous natural phenomena and
mitigate their effects on human populations.
The course will include the study earth materials, plate tectonics,
mantle and surface processes of the Earth, the hydrologic cycle, and weather
and climate.
Upon successful completion
students should be able to:
1. explain the role of
science in understanding, forecasting, predicting, and mitigating natural
disasters; (2)
2. evaluate the
scientific evidence for plate tectonics; (1)
3. describe, explain,
and illustrate the occurrence and associations of different rock types; (1)
4. integrate the
concept of plate tectonic boundaries with natural processes such as
earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, and landslides;(1)
5. relate seismic
activity and geologic materials to various effects and damage associated with
earthquakes; (1)
6. estimate the
intensity of earthquake-generated ground movement based on given quantitative
and qualitative scales; (1)
7. compare and contrast
volcanic eruption styles, products, processes, and hazards; (1)
8. describe and map the
risk of different natural disasters in
9. describe factors,
processes, and interactions that are responsible for landslides, debris flows,
and other forms of mass wasting; (2)
10. classify mass wasting processes based on
velocity and movement style, internal structure and deformation, hydrologic
aspects, and shape, size and composition of the material; (1)
11. relate the
structures built by humans in coastal areas to the environmental impact they
cause and/or their vulnerability; (1)
12. describe, explain,
and illustrate the natural and artificial causes of river flooding and the
connection of flooding to atmospheric phenomena; (2)
13. describe
and explain the causes, occurrence, and scale of different weather phenomena
such as tornadoes and hurricanes; (2)
14. describe
and explain the causes and possible effects of climate changes; (2)
15. explain the role of
recent geologic, environmental, and climate history studies in forecasting the
probability and scale of hazardous processes and future natural catastrophes or
trends; (2)
16. describe
and explain the evidence for meteorite impacts as causes of environmental
catastrophes and mass extinctions; (2)
17. evaluate
the implications of natural hazards information on traditional, historic, and
current land uses and users; on governmental and quasi-public institutions and
representatives; on individuals and corporations; as they relate to property
rights and economic concerns; (3)
18. evaluate
the roles of the scientist, educator, public official, and individual in
addressing the ethical and social responsibilities or implications of natural
hazards information. (5)
19. devise
strategies that the individual and institutions could adapt or pursue in order
to reduce the risk of natural hazards. (4)
1. Reasoning. The ability to extract information from data,
develop ideas and solutions, establish logical progression in thinking, and
problem solve using such procedures as literary analysis or the scientific
method.
2. Written,
Oral, and Visual Communication. The
ability to make oneself understood in public,
interpersonal, professional, artistic, and technical arenas.
3. Exploration—Self
and Others. An awareness of the values,
beliefs, customs, and contributions of persons from one's own and other
traditions, ethnicities, classes, and genders.
4. Resourcefulness. The ability to adapt to change,
such as technological innovations or environmental conditions.
5. Responsibility. The ability to be
accountable to self, society, and the natural world.
Introduction to Earth, plate
tectonics, and hazardous physical processes
Earthquakes, earthquake waves, and
tsunami
Volcanoes, volcanic processes and
hazards
Mass wasting; landslide hazards
Subsidence and swelling soils
Atmosphere and severe weather
phenomena
Streams, flood processes, and human
interactions
Climate, climate change, coastal
processes and hazards
Wildfires; Impacts and extinctions
Assessing and mapping natural
hazards: preparedness and mitigation aspects
Required texts, evaluation criteria,
attendance policy, and other requirements
appear on the course syllabus distributed by
the instructor.
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