InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Section 2: Introduction to Coastal Zone Hazards: Long and Short-term Processes of Change and Their Impacts on Society > Module 5: Coastal Catastrophes: Storms and Tsunamis
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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These student materials complement the Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society Instructor Materials. If you would like your students to have access to the student materials, we suggest you either point them at the Student Version which omits the framing pages with information designed for faculty (and this box). Or you can download these pages in several formats that you can include in your course website or local Learning Managment System. Learn more about using, modifying, and sharing InTeGrate teaching materials.
Initial Publication Date: December 7, 2016

Module 5: Coastal Catastrophes: Storms and Tsunamis

Introduction

Without a doubt, coastal storms and tsunamis are among the most devastating natural hazards to impact human societies. Even seemingly small hurricanes and nor'easters have the capacity to do significant damage in very short periods of time. Each year, these catastrophes result in numerous injuries, the loss of life and property, and are detrimental to the economic vitality of coastal regions around the world. Coastal storms, whether tropical or extratropical, result in significant erosion from high winds, high water levels and coastal flooding, and large turbulent waves. The list of damaging storms in recent years is extensive, in part because storms of one type or another can be generated throughout the year. In the U.S., hurricane season lasts from early summer through early winter, and when hurricane season is over, extra-tropical storms (nor'easters) become more frequent. Many of you might recall something about the impacts of significant events like Hurricanes Katrina, Irene, or Sandy here in the U.S. However, fewer of you likely heard about the significant impacts of Typhoons like Haiyan that hit the Philippines in the fall of 2013, or Cyclone Lehar that impacted portions of India about the same time. Fewer of you probably heard about the most recent event, Typhoon Neoguri.

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »