What transforms a natural event into a natural disaster?
In most cases, it is where there is a significant impact on people through loss of life or damage to property.
Books | Websites
Recommended books
Sara Fredericks
New Zealand Red Cross essential emergency management handbook
A compact booklet summarising the practical steps that you need to take before, during and after a natural disaster.
Bronwen King
Survive bird flu and other disasters: the essential guide to preparing for a disaster and what to do when it happens
Includes suggestions for what to buy, recipes, and how to keep up morale during a disaster.
Geoff Mackley
In extreme danger : chasing and filming natural disasters and catastrophic weather across the globe
 Step into the world of adventure cameraman Geoff Mackley as he takes extreme risks to photograph the world's natural disasters and weather events. Included are recents events such as Hurricane Katrina and the Asian (Boxing day) tsunami. If you would like more information about Geoff Mackley, visit his website.
Ellen Prager
Furious earth : the science and nature of earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis
Using the research of top scientists, this book gives a basic understanding of the earth's powerful forces and how study can help provide timely warning to prevent loss of life and property.
Andrew Robinson
Earthshock: hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes and other forces of nature
 A comprehensive illustrated collection of the dramatic forces of natural disasters and their impact on the earth and its inhabitants. Also covered is the latest research into global climate change.
Recommended New Zealand websites
Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management website - information on civil defence in your area.
Get Ready Get Thru website - information on preparing for a natural disaster.
Auckland City Council guidance: Civil defence
Natural Hazards Centre
Hazardwatch
Recommended overseas websites
Natural disasters: Destructive forces of nature
NaturalHazards.org: Education and research for a safer planet
National Geophysical Data Center: natural hazards data
Smithsonian - Global Volcanism Program - Volcanology links
Online article: The record of natural disasters on the coinage of imperial Rome by David R. Sear |
