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Introduction to Natural Hazard Management
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:14:45
Abstract
Introduction to Natural Hazard Management is an integrated approach to hazard assessment and risk management. Students gain an overview and basic working knowledge of the processes, methodology and decisions required to undertake natural hazard risk management for six major hazards that threaten Alpine communities in Switzerland (e.g. landslides, rockfall, torrents, floods, snow avalanches.
Objective
The overall goal of Introduction to Natural Hazard Management is to gain both an overview and basic working knowledge of the processes, methodology and decisions that are required to carryout a hazard assessment and then prepare a report outlining your results and recommendations.
Content
The course uses a blended learning approach where a combination of classroom and online activities take place. The majority of study hours are devoted to carrying-out online activities, which consist of the following main phases: A) Regional and local planning, where students study planning regulations and identify potential loss and damage, B) Hazard analysis and zoning, where hazard maps are produced for each of the aforementioned hazard processes, C) Vulnerability and risk analysis, where the vulnerability of the built and natural environment, lifelines and persons are considered, in addition to primary and secondary hazards and risk, and finally, D) Prevention and mitigation, where concept plans for mitigation measures and disaster event management are formulated. A series of seminar-tutorial based sessions provide an opportunity for debriefing following the completion of online tasks, as well as the opportunity to discuss topical issues and key concepts (6 x 2 hours during the semester). In addition, a series of knowledge-based lectures, several of which are provided by the e-learning resource NAHRIS (Dealing with Natural Hazard and Risk), present students with the necessary background to complete online activities.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Available from course website:www.nathaz-management.ethz.ch
Literature
Available from course website: www.nathaz-management.ethz.ch
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Introduction to Natural Hazard Management
Der Kurs ist überbelegt. Es können keine Einschreibungen mehr berücksichtigt werden.
|
|
3 h weekly |
Offered In
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Earth Sciences Bachelor (Information about the Bachelor-studies: )
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Major in Geology: Electives (From the offered elective courses in autumn and spring semester 8 credits must be acquired. Primarily courses from the core courses of BSc Earth Sciences have to be selected. Other elective courses from the ETH and University of Zurich are possible, however they must be granted by the advisor of geology (Professor W. Winkler). Courses of the paleontology of the University of Zurich (further offer under ): The following courses from the offer of the UZH are available:)
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Major in Geophysics: Electives (From all elective courses offered in the autumn and spring semester, 12 credits have to be acquired. In the autumn semester, primarliy core courses from the entire BSc-program "Earth Sciences" should be chosen. Other elective courses from ETH and University of Zurich are possible, however, have to be granted by the advisor, Prof. E. Kissling.)
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