Geological/geophysical disasters

Abstract

Geophysical disasters will occur whenever humans and things that human’s value are exposed to geophysical hazards. In the end, it is a matter of scale: Humans and human structures are small relative to the workings of the planet, and even small perturbations in the geophysical world can have devastating effects to humankind. However, humans have a responsibility for awareness, prevention, and mitigation. Much of the devastation from the world’s most calamitous disasters is ultimately avoidable through good planning, engineering, avoidance, and improved geophysical science. As we move forward into the twenty-first century, humans will face new geophysical challenges and disasters will become more expensive. However, enacting procedures and policies to mitigate these disasters will ultimately save lives.