Natural Hazards
Week 1
Questions for
Homework & Discussion
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Develop a plan for successful completion of
this course, including: (note: this part due
Wednesday)
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A weekly schedule that includes time set aside for reading,
working on-line, and completing assignments.
A brief discussion of obstacles to success.
A brief discussion of what you plan to gain from completing
this course.
How are disasters studied by scientists?
 What are the implications of the five
fundamental concepts outlined in Chapter 1?
Geology is..

The scientific study of the Earth and its
processes.

the physical earth
 composition
 processes
the historical earth
 the interactions between humans and
the earth

How are disasters studied?
How does science examine things?
 How does science differ from other
ways of knowing?
 What makes science so special?
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How does science develop explanations
for natural processes?
Steps in Investigation
What Was Discovered
Observation
Gasoline in groundwater
Questions from
observation
From leak in buried tank?
Proposed explanations
From tank
Not from tank
Make predictions for
each explanation: if tank
is cause, leak should be
found in tank
Collect data to test
predictions
No leak in tank; wrong kind of
gasoline in tank
Conclusion
Contamination is from elsewhere
02.04.a1-6
Types of data…is one type better?
Qualitative data: descriptions
(conveyed with words or
sketches)
Quantitative data: numeric
measurements (conveyed
with numbers)
02.07.a
What are the implications of the five
fundamental concepts outlined in Chapter 1?
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Hazards are predictable from scientific
evaluation.
Risk analysis is an important component in
our understanding of the effects of hazardous
processes.
Linkages exist between different natural
hazards as well as between hazards and the
physical environment.
Hazardous events that previously produced
disasters are now producing catastrophes.
Consequences of hazards can be minimized.
What do you hope to gain?
How do natural hazards relate to your
field of study? (be creative)
 How have natural hazards impacted
your life?
 What are you curious about?

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If you can relate this subject to
something that interests you…you will
be more successful in this class.
Remember:
discuss in ReggieNet
 ask questions in ReggieNet, email
 homework due on Sunday
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 submit
to maphill@ilstu.edu