FSEM 143   Natural Disasters: Science, Media and Movies

Faculty Profile for Professor Adams

Events like earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, fires, and hurricanes can be devastating to human societies - yet they are natural processes that often play an important role in earth systems. In this course, students examine the processes that drive these events, the ways they intersect with human societies, and steps we can take to mitigate their damage. They also explore how the ways we represent these processes in the media and in films (including both documentaries and movies) can impact our view of the disasters and can help or hinder preparedness. Students who successfully complete this seminar will receive credit for CORE 176S and satisfy the Scientific Perspective core requirement.

Aubreya Adams is a geologist specializing in seismology. She uses records of earthquake waves to image the insides of the Earth - looking at the deep processes driving plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Her research has covered many geographic locations and earth systems, but her two greatest focus areas are the East African Rift System and the Alaskan Subduction Zone.