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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 315, a 2-day field trip will be held on the weekend of 18 & 19 March in order to examine natural hazards in the Franz Josef area of Westland.
Tim Davies
David Bell and Johnston, David (GNS)
The course is assessed with four 25% assignments and there is no final examination.
* MCDEM: Director’s Guidelines for CDEM Groups (2002)* AS/NZS 4360:1999 Risk Management* Various websites
Students taking ENNR363 Geological Hazards 1 and ENGE486 Engineering Geomorphology will also attend classes in HAZM401. They will participate in the same field trip on 18 & 19 March, and will also have different assessment requirements.
Domestic fee $471.00
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 .