Natural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s RiskNatural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s Risk

Hazards are inevitable; disasters are not.Hazards are inevitable; disasters are not.

Mount St. Helens Mount St. Helens 03/08/05

Mount Pinatubo

Natural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s RiskNatural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s Risk

Earthquakes

Floods

Hurricanes

Landslides

Tsunamis

Volcanoes

Wildfires

Earthquakes

Floods

Hurricanes

Landslides

Tsunamis

Volcanoes

Wildfires

Natural Hazards that Occur in the United States and its TerritoriesNatural Hazards that Occur in the United States and its Territories

Natural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s RiskNatural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s Risk

• Monitor potential hazards

• Assess and manage risks

• Mitigate impacts

• Respond

• Monitor potential hazards

• Assess and manage risks

• Mitigate impacts

• Respond

Detecting Natural Hazards and Protecting Lives and PropertyDetecting Natural Hazards and Protecting Lives and Property

Natural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s RiskNatural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s Risk

http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/

From 1988 to 1997,

floods cost the Nation,

on average, 3.7 billion

annually.

Natural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s RiskNatural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s Risk

Natural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s RiskNatural Hazards Science: Reducing America’s Risk

• Save lives

• Save property

• Minimize economic &

social disruption

• Save lives

• Save property

• Minimize economic &

social disruption

Natural Hazards ScienceNatural Hazards Science