2005 EAPS Lecture Series: The Perilous Earth, Understanding Natural Hazards
Stéphane Rondenay
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Despite the influence of human activity on the environment, Earth has a rather brutal way of reminding us repeatedly that we are not in control. During the past year, we have experienced a devastating hurricane season in the Caribbean and southeastern US, increased activity at Mt St Helens, and the occurrence of several large earthquakes worldwide. We will investigate the causes of such natural phenomena, their predictability and their societal impacts.
Web: http://eapsweb.mit.edu/events/lecture_series.shtml
Contact: Vicki McKenna, 54-910, x3-3380, vsm@mit.edu
Sponsor: Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences
Deep Impact: Fact or Fiction?
Rick Binzel
Hollywood movies portray our imminent doom by the impact of an asteroid or comet. Yet is there any real chance of this actually happen? What could we do if we were actually faced with an asteroid on a collision course?
Wed Jan 5, 12-01:00pm, 54-915
Abrupt Climate Change
Giulio Boccaletti
Mon Jan 10, 12-01:00pm, 54-915
Hurricanes and Hurricane Risk: When Will New England Have Another Great Hurricane?
Kerry Emanuel
New England has experienced three major hurricanes since it was colonized in the 17th century, far too few to make reasonable inferences about the probability of future events. We will discuss two major new techniques for estimating hurricane risk and compare these independent methods, focusing on their predictions for New England.
Wed Jan 12, 12-01:00pm, 54-915
Shake, Rattle and Roll: Demystifying "The Big One"
Stephane Rondenay
Earthquakes occur in a variety of tectonic settings. Here, we will look into what makes subduction-zone earthquakes the potential "big ones" of the lot.
Fri Jan 14, 12-01:00pm, 54-915
An Evaluation of Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Measures
Daniel Barclay
A qualitative presentation and discussion of various U.S. seismic safety measures' effectiveness to see what lessons (if any) can be drawn for planning authorities in other regions.
Wed Jan 19, 12-01:00pm, 54-915
Tsunamis Triggered by Submarine Landslides
David Mohrig
In the last 100 yrs the East Coast of North America has been hit by only one catastrophic tsunami. This wave was produced by a large submarine landslide off the coast of Newfoundland. Learn about underwater landslides, tsunamis and the methods used by geologists to assemble records for infrequent, large tsunamis from the sedimentary deposits.
Fri Jan 21, 12pm-01:00am, 66-110, Note new room
Radiation on Terrestrial Planets
Shane Byrne
Mon Jan 24, 12-01:00pm, 54-915
Storm Surges and Coastal Cities: Venice, for How Long?
Paola Rizzoli
Coastal cities all over the world suffer from extreme flooding produced by the passage of severe storms in the adjacent sea. The flooding of Venice is heightened by natural and man-induced subsidence. A solution of mobile barriers closing the lagoon inlets will be illustrated and projections will be discussed for future scenarios of sea level rise.
Wed Jan 26, 12-01:00pm, 54-915
Large Volcanic Eruptions
Tim Grove
Fri Jan 28, 12-01:00pm, 54-915
Latest update: 21-Jan-2005
|
|
