1. A Great “Natural Disaster?” This raises the question: “What is a Natural Disaster?” This raises the question: “What is a Natural Disaster?” There are two words to consider here: Natural and Disaster There are two words to consider here: Natural and Disaster Something Natural implies that the cause is Nature (An Act of God) Something Natural implies that the cause is Nature (An Act of God) A Disaster is something that has a serious, often fatal, impact on the lives and livelihood of a lot of people. (Flood, Drought, Earthquake). A disaster, once more, is something that we define relative to ourselves. A Disaster is something that has a serious, often fatal, impact on the lives and livelihood of a lot of people. (Flood, Drought, Earthquake). A disaster, once more, is something that we define relative to ourselves.

2. “Natural” In some way, the forces of Nature act to threaten the lives and economies of people by disrupting the “normal” pattern of life. These are forces Man cannot influence In some way, the forces of Nature act to threaten the lives and economies of people by disrupting the “normal” pattern of life. These are forces Man cannot influence Perhaps one of the most Natural recent disasters was the December 26, 2004 Tsunami that killed over 250,000 people. Perhaps one of the most Natural recent disasters was the December 26, 2004 Tsunami that killed over 250,000 people. What caused this? What caused this?

3. The Tsunami There was a shift in the great continental plates under the ocean off the coast of Aceh, Indonesia. There was a shift in the great continental plates under the ocean off the coast of Aceh, Indonesia. As a result, there was a huge landslide under the sea displacing billions of tons of water very suddenly. As a result, there was a huge landslide under the sea displacing billions of tons of water very suddenly. This water moved at >500 k.p.h. as a submarine force wave. This water moved at >500 k.p.h. as a submarine force wave.

4. The Tsunami, 2 This did not produce a “giant wave” like a tidal wave, instead, when it reached land it pushed billions of tons of water ahead of it up onto the land and many kms inland. This did not produce a “giant wave” like a tidal wave, instead, when it reached land it pushed billions of tons of water ahead of it up onto the land and many kms inland. Nothing could resist this force; there was almost no warning, and people even stood and watched it approach, having no idea what was coming. Nothing could resist this force; there was almost no warning, and people even stood and watched it approach, having no idea what was coming.

5. How Natural? Our first response is to say that the Tsunami was totally beyond human influence and control—but was it? Our first response is to say that the Tsunami was totally beyond human influence and control—but was it? If global warming, which may be caused by human activity (CO 2 ), exists, then it could cause the sea to expand, and that change of weight could have caused the landslide??? If global warming, which may be caused by human activity (CO 2 ), exists, then it could cause the sea to expand, and that change of weight could have caused the landslide??? However, tsunamis and volcanoes are almost always totally natural. How much of a disaster they are depends, to some extent on us. However, tsunamis and volcanoes are almost always totally natural. How much of a disaster they are depends, to some extent on us.

6. How Disastrous? The casualty numbers could be influenced by: people living in dangerous coastal areas; lack of scientific warning; lack of emergency procedures; the failure of people to heed warnings. The casualty numbers could be influenced by: people living in dangerous coastal areas; lack of scientific warning; lack of emergency procedures; the failure of people to heed warnings. The question is “How vulnerable are the people to the forces of Nature.” The question is “How vulnerable are the people to the forces of Nature.” The same size earthquake in Armenia or the US, caused 29,000 deaths in one case and 26 deaths in the other. Why? The same size earthquake in Armenia or the US, caused 29,000 deaths in one case and 26 deaths in the other. Why?

7. So, what about Katrina? Katrina varied between a force 4 and 5 Katrina varied between a force 4 and 5 A force 5 hurricane will destroy almost everything in its path—it will spare only the very strongest buildings. A force 5 hurricane will destroy almost everything in its path—it will spare only the very strongest buildings. A Force 4 will take out 80% plus of everything through wind, tidal surges and rain (flooding). A Force 4 will take out 80% plus of everything through wind, tidal surges and rain (flooding). So, is that a “Natural Disaster?” I mean, is there anything you can do about that? So, is that a “Natural Disaster?” I mean, is there anything you can do about that? This is an actual image of HK from space before it made landfall. Its position is in the Gulf of Mexico.

8. Maybe Not First of all, we know the damage that can be done (The Potential Risk), we can track the Hurricane from space, and we can plan ahead for what precautions we can take. We have warnings and plans. First of all, we know the damage that can be done (The Potential Risk), we can track the Hurricane from space, and we can plan ahead for what precautions we can take. We have warnings and plans. If we do nothing, then we can be almost certain that the effect will be disastrous. If we do nothing, then we can be almost certain that the effect will be disastrous. Keep this in mind. Keep this in mind.

9. What are the Human Variables? How well do we track the storm in terms of its strength and direction? And how well do we get the information out? How well do we track the storm in terms of its strength and direction? And how well do we get the information out? How well have we planned for the consequences of the storm (collapse of levees, control of law and order, care of the injured and homeless, etc)? How well have we planned for the consequences of the storm (collapse of levees, control of law and order, care of the injured and homeless, etc)? How well have we planned to take people physically away from the risk (evacuation?) How well have we planned to take people physically away from the risk (evacuation?)

10. Images