VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Fundamentals of Natural Hazards Management
Grundzüge des Naturgefahrenmanagements
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:45
Abstract
Risks to life and human assets result when settlement areas and infrastructure overlap regions where natural hazard processes occur. This course utilizes case studies to teach how a future natural hazards-specialist should analyze, assess and manage risks.
Objective
Concepts will be explained step-by-step through a set of case studies, and applied in lab by the students. The following principal steps are used when coping with natural hazard-risks. At each step, students will learn and apply the following skills: Risk analysis - What can happen? -Characterize the processes and environmental measures that lead to a natural hazard and integrate modeling results of these processes. - Identify threats to human life and assets exposed to natural hazards and estimate possible drawbacks or damages. Risk assessment - What are the acceptable levels of risk? - Apply principles to determine acceptable risks to human life and assets in order to identify locations which should receive added protection. - Explain causes for conflicts between risk perception and risk analysis. Risk management - What steps should be taken to manage risks? - Explain how various hazard mitigation approaches reduce risk. - Describe hazard scenarios as a base for adequate dimensioning of control measures. - Identify the best alternative from a set of thinkable measures based on an evaluation scheme. - Explain the principles of risk-governance.
Content
Die Vorlesung besteht aus folgenden Blöcken: 1) Einführung ins Vorgehenskonzept (1W) 2) Risikoanalyse (6W + Exkursion) mit: - Systemabgrenzung - Gefahrenbeurteilung - Expositions- und Folgenanalyse 3) Risikobewertung (2W) 4) Risikomanagement (2W + Exkursion) 5) Abschlussbesprechung (1W)
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Grundzüge des Naturgefahrenmanagements
Does not take place this semester.
Zusätzlich zwei obligatorische, ganztägige Exkursionen.
|
No time listed | 3 h weekly |
Offered In
-
-
-
Major: Geology and Geophysics (Advisors of the major in Geology and Geophysics are Dr. Vincenzo Picotti (Geology) and Dr. Jérôme Noir (Geophysics).)
-
Electives (The electives listed are recommended. Additional courses can be chosen from the complete offerings of the ETH Zurich and University of Zurich.)
-
-
-
-
Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)
-
-
Forest and Landscape (The following courses are highly recommended as preparation for the Specialization in Forest and Landscape: 701-0266-00L Einführung in die Dendrologie (Autumn semester) 551-0435-00L Systematische Biologie: Zoologie (Spring semester) 701-0360-00L Systematische Biologie: Pflanzen (Spring semester) These courses should be successfully completed during the second year.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
Electives (The entire course programs of ETH Zurich and Universitiy Zurich are open to the students to individual selection. The students have themselves to check whether they meet the admission requirements for a course.)
-