Natural disasters are powerful natural events caused by the great and impressive forces of nature. They result in extensive destruction and devastation of the physical and biological environment. Classic examples of natural disasters include destructive earthquakes, such as the one that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 2010, causing the death of more than 200,000 people; massive floods, like the devastating flood in rural Pakistan in 2010 that inundated about 20% of the country's area; and strong tropical storms, such as Hurricane Katrina that hit the state of Louisiana in the USA in 2005, causing damages exceeding a billion dollars.

Natural disasters are often accompanied by numerous casualties and devastating consequences for infrastructure, economy, and society in affected areas. They can leave thousands of victims homeless and propertyless, and severely damage the economy and vital systems of the region. For example, the Tohoku earthquake that struck Japan in 2011 caused a massive tsunami that flooded vast areas, resulting in about 16,000 deaths, economic damage of hundreds of billions of dollars, and radiation contamination from the outbreak at the Fukushima nuclear reactor.

It's important to note that natural disasters can occur anywhere in the world and at different levels of intensity. Therefore, early preparation and proper readiness for these disasters by authorities and the population are crucial to minimize damage and destructive consequences.

We will discuss natural hazards related to weather and climate, including thunderstorms, floods, hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, and forest fires. Additionally, we will learn about the field of natural geophysical hazards, such as earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis.

* The course material will be tailored to the age of the learners.