ENV2310

Students will be able to explain the role of science in understanding, forecasting, predicting, and mitigating natural hazards. Concerning seismic hazards, students will be able to evaluate the scientific evidence for plate tectonics, and integrate the concept of plate boundaries with natural processes such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity, and mass movements. Students will be able to estimate the severity of earthquake-generated ground movement based on quantitative and qualitative scales, and describe and map the risk of seismic hazards in North America. Concerning gravity-driven hazard processes, students will be able to classify mass wasting movement styles based on velocity, internal structure and deformation, hydrologic aspects, and the shape, size, and composition of the material involved. Concerning hydrologic and atmospheric processes, students will be able to describe, explain, and illustrate the natural and artificial causes of river flooding, and the connection of flooding to atmospheric phenomena, as well as describing and explaining other weather phenomena such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and drought. Students will also be able to describe and explain the causes and possible effects of climate changes. Students will finally evaluate the roles of scientists, educators, public officials, and individuals in addressing the ethical and social responsibilities of natural hazards information, and devise strategies that the individual or institutions could adopt to reduce the risks of natural hazards.