Fixing the cracks in disaster mitigation
Further reading
Issue 82, June 2006
Estimating the influence of sediments on ground shaking (by Andrew McPherson)
Models developed for the Los Angeles basin are of limited relevance to Australian conditions.
Issue 80, December 2005
Natural hazard risk: Cities project Perth (by Miriam Middelmann and Trevor Jones)
Reports on the natural hazard assessment for Western Australia.
Issue 80, December 2005
Crustal deformation from the 26 December 2004-Andaman earthquake (by Minghai Jia)
Provides analysis of the 26 December 2004 earthquake using the Global Positioning System.
Issue 80, December 2005
After the deluge, a post disaster survey (by Mary Milne)
Describes the development and piloting of post-disaster surveys to understand community vulnerability.
No. 106, 2001, page 36
Modelling the forces of nature (by Wendy Pyper)
Researchers have built a house to optimise the strength of buildings.
October-November 2006, pages 44-45
Silent quake (by Nick de Jongh)
Describes the Tangshan earthquake, the most deadly quake in recorded history.
August 2006, pages 94-97
Fracture zone (by Jan McGirk)
Provides an account of the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.
Each month, Focus contains articles on humanitarian and disaster relief, including:
May-August 2006
January-April 2006
September-December 2005
March 2007, pages 47-48
Natural hazard risk modelling (by John Schneider and Trevor Dhu)
Looks at research into predicting earthquakes and floods.
12 April 2008, page 12
Curious cloud formations linked to quakes (by Lynn Dicks)
Suggests that cloud formations could be used to predict earthquakes.
1 September 2007, pages 40-43
Disaster machines: Simulating nature’s fury
Looks at machines built to simulate natural disasters.
28 April 2007, pages 42-45
Balancing boulders with a shaky past (by Julian Smith)
Investigates precariously balanced rocks as a way to predict future earthquakes.
13 April 2007
Building shaker reveals quake effects in detail(by Will Knight)
Looks at computer models of an earthquake's effects on buildings.
7 October 2006, pages 42-45
Bridge under troubled water (by Julian Smith)
Looks at the engineering challenge of a tunnel joining Europe and Asia at the Bosporus strait.
24 June 2006, page 17
Quake fears haunt southern California (by Patrick Barry)
Suggests that episodic tremors and increasing strain may be signs that a larger earthquake is imminent in southern California.
10 June 2006, page 22
Plants predict where rumbling volcanoes will blow
Suggests that plant growth on volcanoes indicates where magma will flow.
15 April 2006, pages 8-11
100 years on, you'd think San Francisco would be ready (by Jessica Marshall)
Argues that San Francisco is poorly prepared for a major earthquake.
11 March 2006, pages 46-48
In the disaster zone
Interviews three investigators who have worked in disaster zones.
29 January 2006, page 4
Earthquake proof foam homes could save lives
Says that houses made from a new construction material similar to styrofoam can withstand earthquakes of magnitude 10.
18 May 2005
Earthquake aftershocks predicted in real-time (by Celeste Biever)
Reports that a new tool can predict aftershocks of major earthquakes, but not the first of a series of quakes.
29 January 2005, pages 6-8
Quake, flood, fire. Will we be ready? (by Emma Young)
Asks if we are ready for natural hazards.
16 March 2002, page 42
Sacred echoes (by Michael Brooks)
Asks whether conservation teams can restore Istanbul's mosques without ruining their acoustics.
Issue 36, Spring 2006, pages 5-13
Search and rescue (by Pete Wilson)
Looks at how research can help the emergency services mount a rescue.
Issue 36, Spring 2006, pages 12-13
Be prepared (by Nina Morgan)
Looks at research to improve people’s odds of survival in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic event.
Summer 2006, page 18
Planning for disaster
Highlights how countries and people can make themselves more secure against natural disasters.
Fall-winter 1999, pages 6-16
Natural catastrophes, infrastructure and poverty in developing countries
Overviews the relationship between natural disasters and developing countries.
A special issue of Our Planet about disasters. Includes:
Being prepared (by Le Huy Ngo)
Breaking the cycle (by Didier Cherpitel)
13 January 2010
Haiti earthquake disaster little surprise to some seismologists (by Katherine Harmon)
Explains the known risks of an earthquake occurring in Haiti.
22 June 2006
Study shows San Andreas primed for major quake (by Tracey Staedter)
Says that a section of the San Andreas fault is under increasing pressure.
31 January 2006
Protecting New Orleans (by Mark Fischetti)
Looks at ways to protect coastal communities from storms.
Page updated April 2010.