Dr. Bruce D. Malamud, Director of the Durham University Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience and Wilson Chair for Hazard and Risk, delivered a lecture last 19 September 2024 at the National Institute of Geological Sciences on Hazard Interrelationships and Dynamic Risk Scenarios. His lecture, part of the 2024 NIGS Lecture Series, sheds light on the complex interplay between different types of natural hazards and offers different perspectives in assessing multihazards interrelationships.
Dr. Malamud’s talk began with an extensive review of both grey and peer-reviewed literature, encompassing 90 interrelationships across 21 types of natural hazards, including geophysical, hydrological, atmospheric, biophysical, and space hazards. This comprehensive characterization and visualization aim to enhance our understanding of these hazards and their interconnected nature.
One of the key points Dr. Malamud emphasized is the role of anthropogenic processes in exacerbating the effects of natural hazards. These processes often trigger multi-hazard cascades that increase the vulnerability and exposure to risks before, between, and after hazard events. By analyzing such interactions, Dr. Malamud highlighted the shifting dynamics of exposure and risk, particularly in urban settings like Istanbul, Nairobi, and Kathmandu, where the impact of these cascades can be particularly severe.
In his lecture, Dr. Malamud also discussed their work on quantifying hazard interrelationships. This quantitative approach not only helps researchers understand the scope of single hazards in the context of broader, interconnected hazard systems but also aids policymakers and practitioners who work towards mitigating disaster risks. By fostering an understanding of these complex interactions, Dr. Malamud advocates for a holistic or multi-hazard approach to natural hazard assessment.
The multihazards interrelationships framework calls for a paradigm shift in how we perceive and manage natural hazards, urging a more integrated and dynamic approach.
This session of the 2024 NIGS Lecture series was put together by the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences, UP Resilience Institute, Volcano-Tectonics Laboratory, and the Iuvenis Orbis Geological Fraternity.