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Hazard preparedness
Awareness of the consequences of hazards and actions to be taken before, during, or after hazards occur or are encountered.
Subtopics:
Earthquake preparedness (23 items)
Aviation safety (5 items)

Fire preparedness (4 items)
Flood preparedness (7 items)
Landslide preparedness (7 items)
Tsunami preparedness (6 items)
Results 1 - 61 of 67 listed alphabetically [list by similarity]
PDF 100-Year flood - It's all about chance [More info]
Explains the concept, probabilistic nature, and inherent uncertainties of the 100-year flood to those who are unfamiliar with this concept.
A Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake in the Tacoma Fault Zone-A Plausible Scenario for the Southern Puget Sound Region, Washington [More info]
Scientific description of the likely effects of a significant earthquake on this densely populated area.
Advanced National Seismic System (seismic network) [More info]
A program of studies with instruments to provide accurate and timely data and information on seismic events, including their effects on buildings and structures, employing modern monitoring methods and technologies.
PDF Airborne Volcanic Ash - A Global Threat to Aviation [More info]
Explains the problem, describes procedures used to cope with it, ways of monitoring and detecting hazardous conditions, and warning systems currently available to help mitigate the dangers.
PDF Alaska volcanoes guidebook for teachers [More info]
The lessons and activities in this guidebook are meant to supplement and enhance existing science content already being taught to Alaskan students in grade levels 6-12.
PDF Bear Spray Safety Program [More info]
Explains for USGS employees and volunteers how best to defend against bear attacks when conducting field studies.
PDF Boiling water at Hot Creek - The dangerous and dynamic thermal springs in California's Long Valley Caldera [More info]
Explains how these hot surface waters form, why their temperature changes often, and provides safety guidance for visiting this area.
Danger to aircraft from volcanic eruption clouds [More info]
Explanation of problems encountered by aircraft due to volcanic emissions.
Earthquake Hazards 101 [More info]
Provides links to explanatory materials for the layperson, including information on concepts behind earthquake maps, the use of probability, what the maps mean, how they are made, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Earthquake Hazards Program - Central and Eastern U.S. [More info]
Information on earthquakes in central and eastern United States with links to earthquake monitoring, published products, recent earthquake information, discussion group, and current projects.
Earthquake Hazards Program external research support [More info]
Abstracts, program announcements and descriptions of projects funded by the external research program.
PDF Earthquake hazard in the New Madrid seismic zone remains a concern [More info]
GPS measurements made since 1996 seem to show this earthquake-prone area slowing down. Is it time to relax? Scientists who studied these data in detail say no, and this fact sheet explains why.
Earthquake hazard maps [More info]
National seismic hazards maps, global seismic hazards map, predictive intensity maps, shaking hazards maps and probabilities for California, and a variety of fact sheets on earthquakes.
Earthquake preparedness information [More info]
Links to web sites, publications, and fact sheets on earthquake preparedness.
Earthquakes [More info]
Online booklet on earthquake history, earthquake occurrences, measuring earthquakes, causes, relationship of volcanoes and earthquakes and earthquake prediction.
PDF Earthquakes in Hawaii -- an underappreciated but serious hazard [More info]
Shows where earthquakes occur here, the type of damage that has occurred, and the information that USGS provides to help people anticipate and understand this hazard.
Earthquakes: Frequently Asked Questions [More info]
Answers to a wide variety of questions (FAQs) about earthquakes, such as dictionary of terms, earthquake activity and probabilities, common myths, faults, plate tectonics, and earthquake measurement techniques.
Emergency operations portal [More info]
Critical pre- and post-disaster images and datasets available online for immediate viewing and downloading. Includes the Hazards Data Distribution System, an interactive map interface.
Encounters of aircraft with volcanic ash clouds; A compilation of known incidents, 1953-2009 [More info]
Of 129 reported incidents, 94 are confirmed ash encounters, 79 of which entailed airframe or engine damage; 20 are low-severity events involving suspected ash or gas clouds; for 15 the data are insufficient to assess severity.
Eruption warning and real-time notifications [More info]
Describes strategy of volcano warnings and the real-time detection of a sudden eruption or lahar and immediate notification of the activity to the public and local, state, and federal emergency-management officials.
FAQs - National Seismic Hazard Maps [More info]
Provides detailed technical information on earthquake hazards in the form of frequently asked questions. Designed for the technical audience, including building and safety planners.
PDF Forecasting California's earthquakes - What can we expect in the next 30 years? [More info]
Shows how we know severe earthquakes will occur and where.
PDF Geospatial Information Response Team [More info]
Interdisciplinary coordinating group within USGS to facilitate the effective collection, storage, and dissemination of geospatial data information and products during an emergency.
Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination (GeoMAC) wildland fire support [More info]
Description of the Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination (GeoMAC) project, online maps of current wildland fire locations using Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, and user guide on how to use mapping application.
Hazards, disasters, and the National Map [More info]
Fact sheet describing the value of The National Map designed as a network of digital databases that will provide a consistent national geographic data framework in responding to natural hazards and human-induced disasters.
Housing arrangement and location determine the likelihood of housing loss due to wildfire [More info]
Using a geographic dataset of structures, with more than 5500 structures that were destroyed or damaged by wildfire since 2001, we identified the main contributors to property loss in two extensive, fire-prone regions in southern California.
PDF Impacts and predictions of coastal change during hurricanes [More info]
Shows how observations and modeling can help anticipate practical problems in coastal areas when hurricanes arrive. Focuses primarily on areas where people have built houses and roads that may be destroyed during storms.
PDF Kilauea--an Explosive Volcano in Hawaii [More info]
Explains how explosive eruptions occur here, shows the history of its eruptions, and describes the effects and hazards that accompany them.
PDF Landslide Hazards in the Seattle, Washington, Area [More info]
Explains how and why landslides occur in this area, and what can be done to forecast and mitigate them.
Landslides learning & education [More info]
A wide variety of explanatory and educational resources about landslides and their relationship with earthquakes and storms, and preparedness. Includes glossary and photos.
Marin tsunami (video) [More info]
Guidelines for correct tsunami response and community preparedness from local emergency managers, first-responders, and leading experts on tsunami hazards and warnings.
PDF Mauna Loa -- history, hazards and risk of living with the world's largest volcano [More info]
Describes volcano-related hazards on the Island of Hawaii, including lava flows, explosive eruptions, volcanic smog, damaging earthquakes, and tsunamis.
PDF Mount Rainier - Living Safely With a Volcano in Your Backyard [More info]
One of our Nation's most dangerous volcanoes, Mount Rainier has been the source of countless eruptions and volcanic mudflows, and many people live in the areas that will be affected by it.
PDF Mount St. Helens, 1980 to now--what's going on? [More info]
Summarizes the eruptions of this spectacular volcano and the consequences for the surrounding landscape, explains how volcanoes like this form, and how we monitor their activity to mitigate hazards they pose.
National Earthquake Information Center [More info]
Information on world earthquake activity with links to facts and lists on large earthquakes, earthquake e-mail notification, hazards and preparedness, educational links, news and highlights and other seismic information.
New Jersey Tide Telemetry System [More info]
A network of tide gages and weather stations is deployed in coastal areas across the state to help forecast floods and support timely evacuation of people from affected areas.
PDF PAGER--Rapid assessment of an earthquake's impact [More info]
An automated system for rapidly estimating the shaking distribution, number of people and settlements exposed to severe shaking, and range of possible fatalities and economic losses. A color-coded alert suggests levels of appropriate response.
Popular myths about flooding in Western Washington [More info]
The so-called "100-year" flood is really more like the 4 ½ year flood. This can help emergency managers enhance public awareness of how often flooding truly occurs in a region. It also could help convince those people in harm's way that preparedness is m
Preparing for volcanic emergencies [More info]
Describes activities of USGS scientists to increase public awareness of volcano hazards with links to publication and videos for public information on understanding and preparing for volcanic hazards.
Protecting your family from earthquakes - The seven steps to earthquake safety (in English and Spanish) [More info]
Everyone in your family, children and adults, can learn how to prepare for an earthquake. Read this book, then take advantage of the American Red Cross Earthquake Preparedness training courses offered in your community.
PDF Protecting your family from earthquakes - The seven steps to earthquake safety (in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean) [More info]
Everyone in your family, children and adults, can learn how to prepare for an earthquake. Read this book, then take advantage of the American Red Cross Earthquake Preparedness training courses offered in your community.
PDF Putting down roots in earthquake country - Your handbook for earthquakes in the central United States [More info]
If you live near one of the seismic zones in the central United States, this handbook explains why you should be concerned with earthquakes, what you can expect during a quake, and what you need to do beforehand to be safe and reduce property damage.
Putting down roots in earthquake country: Your handbook for the San Francisco Bay region [More info]
If you live or work in the San Francisco Bay region, this handbook explains why you should be concerned with earthquakes, what you can expect during and after a quake, and what you need to do beforehand to be safe and reduce property damage.
Real-time flood alert system for Puerto Rico [More info]
Web-based analytical facility designed to integrate data relevant to flood emergencies in Puerto Rico.
PDF Real-time seismic monitoring of instrumented hospital buildings [More info]
Specialized monitoring systems installed in a VA hospital in Memphis, TN will help us to design safer hospitals and other buildings and to prevent loss of life in this and similar earthquake-prone areas.
PDF Report on the 2010 Chilean earthquake and tsunami response [More info]
With high property damage, loss of life and fire damage were relatively low. Why? The legal system encourages builders to follow code, the electrical grid was shut down early, and emergency response management was very effective.
Riding the storm -- landslide danger in the San Francisco Bay Area [More info]
Video: Learn what USGS scientists have discovered about landslide dynamics and which slopes are most susceptible to sliding. Hear the devastating stories of Bay Area residents affected by landslides and learn to recognize the danger signs.
Taming of a wild research well in Yellowstone National Park during November 1992 [More info]
A valve failed in a research well, causing an uncontrolled eruption of steam and hot water. Video program shows technical problems encountered in controlling and capping the well.
PDF The Hayward fault - Is it due for a repeat of the powerful 1868 earthquake? [More info]
Preparing for earthquakes along this important fault requires studying the history of its movement and its geology, as well as understanding how society has built the area around it.
The great 1906 earthquake, 100 years later [More info]
Annotated list of resources about the great earthquake of 1906, which caused significant devastation in and around San Francisco, California, compiled for the 100th anniversary of the disaster.
PDF The landslide handbook -- A guide to understanding landslides [More info]
Basic information for homeowners, communities, emergency managers, and decisionmakers. Includes sections on landslide types, evaluation tools, and mitigation techniques.
Topics in coastal and marine sciences: Coastal erosion [More info]
Topics in Coastal and Marine Sciences provides background science materials, definitions, and links to give a common context for users from a variety of backgrounds. Coastal erosion was chosen as the first topic.
Tsunami preparedness along the U.S. West Coast (video) [More info]
Guidelines for correct tsunami response and community preparedness from local emergency managers, first-responders, and leading experts on tsunami hazards and warnings.
Tsunami preparedness in California (videos) [More info]
Guidelines for correct tsunami response and community preparedness from local emergency managers, first-responders, and leading experts on tsunami hazards and warnings.
Tsunami preparedness in Oregon (video) [More info]
Guidelines for correct tsunami response and community preparedness from local emergency managers, first-responders, and leading experts on tsunami hazards and warnings.
Tsunami preparedness in Washington (video) [More info]
Guidelines for correct tsunami response and community preparedness from local emergency managers, first-responders, and leading experts on tsunami hazards and warnings.
PDF U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Region Coastal and Ocean Science [More info]
Overview of USGS research addressing a broad range of coastal and marine issues in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii.
PDF U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Region: Alaska Coastal and Ocean Science [More info]
Overview of USGS research addressing a broad range of coastal and marine issues in Alaska.
PDF U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Region: Santa Barbara Channel Coastal and Ocean Science [More info]
Overview of USGS research addressing a broad range of coastal and marine issues in the Santa Barbara Channel and vicinity, California.
PDF U.S. Geological Survey disaster response and the International Charter for space and major disasters [More info]
How we support an international agreement designed to facilitate the use of remote sensing data for assisting when major disasters occur anywhere on earth.
PDF USGS Emergency Response Resources [More info]
Web sites, organizational units, databases, and services that USGS provides in response to a variety of emergencies.
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