GG130 Geologic Hazards

This is an introductory-level Geology & Geophysics course that essentially takes all the exciting stuff from GG101 (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami, etc.), and looks at each one in detail. We cover the basic causes behind each type of hazard, how humans can mitigate the damages from each, and case studies from around the world and here in Hawai‘i.

We go on field trips to the Tsunami Warning Center, to look at slow landslides in East Honolulu valleys, and we also take a 2-day trip to Kīlauea (to see the past effects of volcanism, earthquakes, and tsunami.

For texts we have used Natural Hazards by Keller and Blodgett, and Natural Hazards and Disasters by Hyndman and Hyndman. The course was revived in Spring 2009 and 2010 after a multi-decade absense (it was the first geology course I ever took), and will be offered during even-numbered Spring semesters or perhaps more frequently, depending on demand.

SYLLABI

PHOTOS FROM FIELD TRIPS

Honolulu Landslides: 2009, 2010

Tsunami Warning Center: 2009, 2010

Kīlauea: 2009, 2010