Generally, hazards research and literature has treated natural and technological disasters as separate entities. This study attempts to determine how frequently interaction between these two types of disaster took place in the United States from 1980-1989. Data were collected by performing a literature review, contacting organizations and individuals active in hazards research and mitigation, and through a questionnaire sent to the emergency management agencies of all 50 states. The consensus derived from the data is that the number of incidents where natural and technological disasters interact is rising while preparations, which recognize the complications inherent in such combined events, remain cursory. There is a pressing need for states to record, and make available to managers, information regarding the number of combined natural/technological events affecting their areas. Only when such data are available will it be possible to make appropriate decisions regarding the best way to reduce the effects of a natural disaster causing a catastrophic release of hazardous materials.
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AbstractThis paper examines articles published between 1972-1998 that utilize remote sensing in hazard and disaster research. Delineating trends in the production and content of the articles may encourage those who are performing or contemplating such research to alter and/or expand their analyses in new or alternate directions. The review of articles indicates that the technique is primarily used to detect, identify, map, survey and monitor existing hazards and/or their effects. Secondary goals are to provide damage assessments, improve planning, or provide data for mitigation, preparation, relief, response, and warning efforts. Articles addressing hazard/disaster process modeling have rarely been published. It is suggested that if remote sensing is to be used more effectively to reduce unnecessary suffering from damaging environmental events, hazard and/or disaster process models be incorporated into future research.
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