Geog 312:

Natural Hazards

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SCHEDULE (Spring 2009)

Lecture readings (chapter numbers in brackets) are from the course text

Jan. 06: L - Introduction to natural hazards (1)
Jan 06-08: T - Introduction to tutorials and term projects

Readings: The "Geoscape Vancouver" website maintained by the Geological Survey of Canada introduces you to many of the natural hazards that impact the Vancouver area. Check it out prior to the first tutorial, and refer to it for subsequent assignments.

Jan. 13: L - Geohazards I: Earthquakes (2)
Jan. 13-15: T - "Are we prepared for a great Cascadia earthquake?"

Readings:

Clague et al., 1995, "The threat of a great earthquake in southwestern British Columbia." BC Professional Engineer, November issue, pp. 4-8. [PDF}

Luternauer, J.L. et al., 1995, "Fraser River delta geology: modelling for seismic hazard assessment." BC Professional Engineer, November issue, pp. 11-14. [PDF]

Satake, K. and Atwater, B. 2007. “Long-term perspectives on giant earthquakes and tsunamis at subduction zones.”
Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 35, 349-374. (available as an e-journal at SFU Library)

Jan. 20: L - Geohazards II: Volcanic eruptions. (3)
Jan. 20-22: T - "The risks from eruptions - the Anchorage case"

Readings: The Alaska Volcano Observatory website provides daily updates on volcanic hazards in the region. Check out the Cook Inlet pages of the Atlas of Alaskan Volcanoes.

Local volcanic hazards are summarized in:
Hickson, C.J., 1994, Character of volcanism, volcanic hazards, and risk, northern end of the Cascade magmatic arc, British Columbia and Washington State" In: Monger, J.W.H. (ed.) Geology and Geological Hazards of the Vancouver Region, Southwestern British Columbia." Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 481, pp. 231-250.

Jan. 27: L - Geohazards III: Slope hazards (4)
Jan. 27-29: T - "Planning in areas subject to slope failure - the Cheekye Fan"

Readings:

Evans, S.G. and Savigny, K.W., 1994, "Landslides in the Vancouver-Fraser Valley-Whistler region". In: Monger, J.W.H. (ed.) Geology and Geological Hazards of the Vancouver Region, Southwestern British Columbia." Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 481, pp. 251-286.
[Download in PDF format in four parts [1, 2, 3, 4] plus bibliography. The Rubble Creek and Cheekye Fan examples are discussed at the beginning of part 3]

Check out the interactive landslide disaster map at the Natural Resources Canada website, and record the details of Burnaby's only fatal landslide.

Feb. 03: L - Geohazards IV: Avalanches and subsidence. (5, 6)
Feb. 03-05: T - "Living with avalanches in Juneau"

Readings:

Pulsifer, C. 2000. New initiatives in controlling BC's snow hazard. Innovation, May issue, pp. 15-17. [PDF]

Ministry of Transportation and Highways, 1981, "Snow Avalanche Atlas: Fraser Canyon". Province of British Columbia - (selected material toillustrate hazard) [PDF]

Feb. 10: MIDTERM EXAMINATION.
Feb. 10-12: No tutorial

Feb. 17: Reading break.
Feb. 10-12: No tutorial (undertake preliminary research on your term project)

Feb. 24: L - Climatic Hazards I: Severe storms (8)
Feb. 24-26: T - "The hurricane threat: a North American case study"

Readings

Barry, P. 2006. Storm surges threaten US economic heartlands. New Scientist, June 5, 2006. (link)

Emanuel, K. 2005. Increasing destructiveness of tropical cyclones over the past 30 years. Nature 436, 686-688. [pdf]

Kennedy, D. 2005. "Acts of God?". Science 311, 303. [pdf]

Landsea, P. 2005. Hurricanes and global warming. Nature 438, E11-12. [pdf]

Pielke, Jr., R.A. 2005. Are there trends in hurricane destruction? Nature 438, E11. [pdf]

Witze, A. 2006. Bad weather ahead. Nature 441, 564-566. [pdf],

and visit the Hurricane Guide website of New York City Office of Emeregncy Management

Mar. 2: email a brief outline of your poster topic to your TA

Mar. 03: L - Climatic Hazards II: Coastal hazards (9)
Mar. 03-05: T - "Should we abandon the shoreline?"

Readings:

UBC/Pacific Spirit Park Cliff Erosion Management. 2000. "Point Grey Cliffs Need Your Help". Consultation Discussion Document (selected material: backgound [PDF] and NW Marine Drive case [PDF])

Tibbetts, J. 1997. "Beachfront battles over seawalls". Coastal Heritage (South Carolina), Fall issue; pp 3-12. [PDF]

Mar. 10: L - Climatic Hazards II: Floods. (7).
Mar. 10-12: T - "Floodplains are for floods, not for people"

Readings:

Pindera, G. 1997. "Red River dance." Canadian Geographic, July/August issue, pp 52-62. [PDF]

Mar. 17: L - Climatic Hazards IV: Droughts, dust, and heat waves (8 [ pp.238-242]).
Mar. 17-19: T - T - "Living with drought on the prairies."

Readings:

Hoerling, M. and Kumar, A. 2003. "The perfect ocean for drought". Science 299, 691-695. [PDF]

Mar. 24: L- Climatic Hazards V: Wildfires, blizzards, hail and fog (10)
Mar. 24-26: T - "Fire risk at the wildland-urban interface: Pender Island".

Readings:

Anon. 2004. "The Homeowners Firesmart Manual". BC Ministry of Forests [PDF]

Mar. 31: L - Climatic Hazards VI: Pests ,plagues, and NEO's
Mar. 31-Apr.02: T - "Plagues in the 21st century".

Readings:

Morens, D.M., Folkers, G.K., and Fauci, A.S. 2004. "The challenge of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases". Nature 430, 242-249. [PDF]

Mar. 31: Hand-in term project to TA or instructor by 4:30 p.m.

Apr. 21: Final Examination (08:30-11:30; room t.b.a.)

Last revised: 1/2/09