GFZ German research centre for geo sciences

Reduction of risks from natural hazards requires further research

12.02.2015: Which natural hazards could be threatening for Germany and how associated risk can be minimized through further research is the topic of a new publication by the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences and the German Weather Service (DWD). new publication GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences and the German Weather Service (DWD).

12.02.2015: Which natural hazards could be threatening for Germany and how associated risk can be minimized through further research is the topic of a new publication by the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences and the German Weather Service (DWD). new publication GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences and the German Weather Service (DWD).

Under the title „Research Field Natural Disasters“ experts from the GFZ and the DWD describe the current status of research with respect to three different
natural hazards which could be the trigger for natural disasters: extra-terrestrial natural hazards such as meteorites and solar storms, geophysical terrestrial natural hazards e.g. earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunami as well as  atmospheric natural hazards. Prof. Dr. Reinhard Hüttl, Scientific Executive
Director and Chairman of the Board at the GFZ: "Our joint publication does not just describe natural hazards; it also shows how, through further research, the risk for the population can be minimized. I hope that in this way we will
continue to get further backing from politics and society for this important field of research
".

Natural hazards are mainly seen as risks that are not caused or influenced by mankind. However, according to Dr. Paul Becker, Vice-President of the DWD, this assessment does not generally hold true; "With its behavior, mankind
directly coins the environment. Sever consequences such as drought and land-slides are increasingly the result. And we still know very little in this respect. There is great need for further research
"

Natural hazards dealt with in the publication:

Storm, flooding, heavy rainfall, hail, heat and heat waves, solar UV-radiation, drought, wind, ice and snow load, pollen, earthquakes, gravitational  mass movement/landslides, magnetic field/space weather, volcanism,  tsunami

Contact:

Franz Ossing 
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences 
Press Relations
Telegrafenberg    
D-14473 Potsdam    
E-Mail: ossing(at)gfz-potsdam.de   
Phone +49 (0)331-288 1040   
Fax +49 (0)331-288 1044  

Uwe Kirsche
German Weather Service (DWD)
Press Relations
Frankfurter Straße 135
D-63067 Offenbach
E-Mail: uwekirsche(at)dwd.de
Phone +49 (069) 8062 4500
Fax +49 (069) 8062 4509

The publication can be found here (in German only):
 www.naturgefahrenforschung.de.
DOI: doi.org/10.2312/GFZ.2014.005

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