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Analysis of the nature and management of hazards and disasters.
The HAZM401 course provides essential background concepts for a critical understanding of hazard and disaster management situations and practices. Although the course assumes no background in hazard management, topics such as natural system behaviour and statistics will be used so some background in geomorphology or environmental science would be advantageous. Students lacking such background should discuss course standards and expectations further before enrolling unless they have a sound background in Engineering, Geology or Physical Geography.The course deals with the nature of hazards and disasters – what they are, why they occur and why they are increasing. The relevance of science and engineering to understanding and managing hazards and disasters is discussed, as is the role of social and cultural understanding. Consideration of the limitations on management of hazards and disasters set by economic, institutional, social and cultural expectations leads to comparison of the potential for reducing death and damage from disasters by modifying both human and natural systems. The management of disasters, and recovery from them, is related to the intensity of the disaster and the degree of preparation of the affected communities. Case studies and exercises illustrate the points being made.
Students successfully completing this course will:have a clear understanding of the basic terminology used in geohazard studies, particularly “hazard”, “risk” and “disaster”,be aware of current legislation in New Zealand impacting on hazard management policies and practices,have a clear overview of the physical processes of natural systems, as well as the associated hazards in terms of magnitude and frequency,understand the contribution of human systems to the occurrence of disasters,be familiar with case studies relating to a variety of hazards, and the disaster management implications,be able to carry out a hazard assessment within a specified geographic area, including being able to identify the principal natural processes and their potential impacts.
Subject to approval of the Programme Director, Department of Geological Sciences
In addition to the scheduled 2-hour seminars held Thursdays 2-4 pm in Geological Sciences Room 210, a 2-day field trip has been tentatively set for the weekend of 24 & 25 March in order to examine natural hazards in the Franz Josef area of Westland.
Tim Davies
David Bell
David Johnston (Geological & Nuclear Sciences)
MCDEM Director's Guidelines for CDEM Groups ; 2002.
Burby, Raymond J; Cooperating with nature : confronting natural hazards with land-use planning for sustainable communities ; Joseph Henry Press, 1998.
Davies, T R; Landslide dambreak floods at Franz Josef: a risk assessment in Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand) Vol 41 ; New Zealand Hydrological Society, 2002.
Mileti, Dennis S; Disasters by design : a reassessment of natural hazards in the United States ; Joseph Henry Press, 1999.
Standards Association of Australia. , Standards New Zealand; Risk management ; Revised AS/NZS 4360:1999; Standards Association of Australia, 1999.
Tobin, Graham A. , Montz, Burrell Elizabeth; Natural hazards : explanation and integration ; Guilford Press, 1997.
* MCDEM: Director’s Guidelines for CDEM Groups (2002)* AS/NZS 4360:1999 Risk Management* Various websites
Domestic fee $493.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Geological Sciences .