12.103 | Spring 2010 | Undergraduate

Science and Policy of Natural Hazards

Course Description

This course examines the science of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and hurricanes and explores the relationships between the science of and policy toward such hazards. It presents the causes and effects of these phenomena, discusses their predictability, and examines how this knowledge influences policy …
This course examines the science of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and hurricanes and explores the relationships between the science of and policy toward such hazards. It presents the causes and effects of these phenomena, discusses their predictability, and examines how this knowledge influences policy making. This course includes intensive practice in the writing and presentation of scientific research and summaries for policy makers.
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets
Lecture Notes
Major natural hazards.
Natural hazards, showing earthquake, hurricane, volcano eruption and tornado. (Image courtesy of USGS and NOAA.)