Natural Hazard Assessment
Experienced SwRI geoscientists and engineers observed the 1995 volcanic eruption of Cerro Negro, Nicaragua, to monitor the development of the eruption and subsequently evaluate the hazard to and possible effects on nearby populations.
Remote Sensing Methods for Detecting, Monitoring, and Evaluating Geologic Hazards
As a leader in developing and applying probabilistic methods, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) focuses on innovation for understanding complicated natural hazards. SwRI develops hazard assessment technology to:
- Identify forcing functions for natural hazards
- Integrate natural hazard information with potentially affected infrastructure information
- Monitor potential safety-affecting changes in natural systems
Natural Hazard Analysis
For natural hazard assessments, SwRI conducts comprehensive assessments that account for uncertainties.
Qualitative and quantitative hazard analyses rely on site characterization capabilities, remote-sensing techniques, wireless sensor monitoring networks, high-end computer modeling, geological principles, and laboratory studies to evaluate the potential for natural hazards such as:
- Volcanism
- Earthquakes
- Faulting and fracturing
- Landslides
- Floods
- Debris flows
- Tsunami
- Tornadoes
- Ground collapse and subsidence
Related Terminology
volcanism • earthquakes • faulting • fracturing • landslides • floods • debris flow • tsunami • tornadoes • ground collapse • ground subsidence • natural hazard assessment • natural hazard analysis
