Macquarie University

Natural Hazards - ENVS237

Everybody is at risk from natural hazards, either physically or economically, and as the global population grows, so too does the social and economic impact of natural disasters. Individual disasters in Australia have caused damage greater than $1.5 billion and globally individual disasters have caused damage greater than $300 billion. These disasters are a significant drain on our economy and cause enormous human suffering. However, some locations, individuals, communities and societies are more at risk than others and experience greater losses following natural hazards. This unit examines the risk posed by natural perils through an understanding of the causes and impacts of the most significant natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tropical cyclones and tsunami, as well as 'megahazards' such as asteroid impacts with Earth. Specialists in natural hazards may pursue careers in the emergency services, disaster management, the insurance industry and hazards research.